Diva's Hair Studio open in new location

Diva’s Hair Studio by Veronica (previously in the Mervyn's Plaza) has moved and now is located at 1335 S. Pacific Ave., Suite 209, in the Pacific Plaza.

The newly remodeled salon features the first Paul Mitchell color bar and lather lounge in Yuma, said owner Veronica Chabolla. Aside from specializing in highlights and color correction, Diva’s offers facials by bio element skin care, unisex waxing and massage therapy, along with standard salon services.

Stay tuned for the debut of the pedicure room and scheduling of the grand opening, Chabolla said.

The salon is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Mondays and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.. Tuesdays through Fridays. For more information and to book your appointment, call 726-5513 or 726-5527.

After nearly 30 years in the floral business as the owner of All Seasons Florist, Balloons and Gifts, Tanya Stewart has passed on her business to new owners.

The shop has been purchased by Michael Didier and Keri Didier-Cowsert and is being managed by Elaine McBride.

Nothing else has changed, said McBride. "It's open the same days and hours and has the same services."

The shop is located at 2059 S. Avenue A can be reached at 782-5612. For more information, visit www.allseasonsyuma.com.

"It's pretty heartbreaking," said Jody Ward of her decision to close Homemade by Jody, the bakery and cafe she had at Mission Valley Plaza at the corner of Avenue C and 24th Street.

"I've been trying to find a miracle," she said, but acknowledged the timing just wasn't right to open a new eatery.

The space isn't officially on the market, but for information about buying or leasing it, call Chuck Dodd, owner of Mission Valley Plaza, at 920-1055. He said it would make a nice turnkey operation for someone wanting to open a sandwich shop or other small restaurant.

Speaking of Mission Valley Plaza, Valley Liquor under construction there is nearly finished and is expected to open by early October, Dodd said.

Among the other spaces in the building, one has been leased for a barbershop and a second will become a pizza place - operator still needed. A third space with 1,000 square feet remains available.

For more information, give Dodd a call at 920-1055.

Terry Snyder, a Certified Financial Planner since 1988 and the first in Yuma County, is now available as an independent contractor for your financial planning needs. She can be reached by cell phone at 1-615-848-4013.

She has more than 25 years' experience in the financial services industry and previously was a financial consultant with Yuma Investment Group. Snyder's experience includes retirement, education, estate, tax and business planning. She can help clients define their goals and direction and offer guidance to reach their objectives.

The Sky Chief restaurant, 1530 E. 322nd St., is no more, except for the memories of those of us who remember eating there, listening to Jimmy Caves tickling the keys at the piano bar and perhaps taking a turn around the dance floor.

OK, the demolition of the once popular but long vacant establishment is old news to Yuma Sun readers - I missed it while being disconnected from the world on vacation in Montana.

The new news is that for now, the lot will be used for overflow parking for employees and customers at Flightline Mazda next door at 2450 W. 32nd St., said Jeff Fritz, CFO for the Bill Alexander Automotive Group, which bought the property.

Otherwise, he said, "There's no real plans for it now."

The demolition has made quite a difference to that corner - opening it up and increasing the visibility of the dealership.

Chet Lane, owner of the downtown building at 261 S. Main St. where Kirstin's Southwest Decor previously was located, called to say he's looking for tenants for an indoor mini-mall - 261 Main Street Mall - he's in the process of developing there.

He said he's started the work of converting the shop to 13 spaces of 300 square feet and up and hopes to be finished with the common area by November. Individual spaces will be finished on demand as they're leased. Utilities and other expenses will be included with the rent.

Lane said he's hopeful he will get shops with enough variety to draw people. Some possibilities include antiques, boutiques, gift shops, specialty items, maybe a little candy store.

For more information, Lane can be reached at 329-4500.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service of Yuma was honored during the company's annual convention. The local franchise is owned by Dave Cline.

The Yuma franchise was presented the Best Tax School Performance Award, given to the one Jackson Hewitt location out of more than 5,600 that achieved the best performance in the area of tax schooling during the 2009 tax season compared to the 2008 tax season.

"This award recognizes Dave Cline and his dedicated team for their commitment to customer service," said Harry Buckley, president and CEO of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

The Yuma franchise has served the area for more than 24 years. It has two locations: 1840 S. 4th Ave., Suite 7 in Yuma (782-0656) and 11274 S. Fortuna Road, Suite D8 in the Foothills (305-1044).