Trader Joe's tops wish list, but Yumans also want more variety of restaurants, stores

Dear Santa: There's a lot of Yumans who would still love to see a Trader Joe's under the community Christmas tree.

"My very favorite store - that would make my life just wonderful in Yuma," wrote one reader who begged for a Trader Joe's to come to town.

That's a plea made every Christmas by dozens of people.

  Like Trudy: "My big - and I do mean big - wish is the same every year. Trader Joe's ... Trader Joe's ... and Trader Joe's. We go to Tucson (Veterans Hospital) for my husband and while there we do Trader Joe's; also in California when we visit our kids. I know there is a market for TJ's here."

  Others aren't so patient.

  "Hey, if Trader Joe's won't come here, maybe Whole Foods will give us a shot," wrote one reader.

  A winter visitor from New Mexico made a pitch for Sunflower Market: "The wife and I have been shopping in one in our area for at least six years. Love the fresh veggies and the good prices. They also have great meats and fresh sausages. Many speciality items similar to Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, but at more modest prices."

  Aside from Trader Joe's or similar stores, readers apparently had a lot of shopping and eating on their minds as they compiled their wish lists for new businesses in Yuma.

  One wife would like a Cabela's for her husband. Since that's not likely, she would settle for an expansion at Sprague's.

  Duvi really wants a TJ Maxx and a soup and salad restaurant.

  That type of restaurant seems to be popular with a lot of folks - such as SouperSalad, Soup Exchange, Soup Plantation and Sweet Tomatoes - serve-yourself, all-you-care-to-eat salads, made-from-scratch soups, muffins, hot pastas and more.

  Others want to sink their teeth into more substantial foods.

  Shirley still hopes to see Sizzler come back to town.

  "How about a Black Angus restaurant?" asked Anne.

   Or a Mongo Grill. "You go to the buffet table where you heap your bowl with all the veggies, meats and some fruit like pineapple or raisins, then add your sauces and herbs, take the bowl to the big grill where the staff adds noodles or fried rice or white rice, and quick fries it all and puts it back in your bowl."

  Hmmm, sounds good.

  Marilyn's vote - and she had lots of company - is for Marie Callender's. Others asked for Boston Market.

  Richard wants a Sombrero Mexican Food fast food restaurant like the one in El Centro. "Ate there today and it is out of this world. Only don't order the taco dinner if there is only one of you."

  His next favorite wish is for Hobby Lobby to come to Yuma. "Found models at the Hobby shop in El Centro (what is with El Centro?)."

  Dennis goes to El Centro for his Kmart fix but would rather just drive down the street.

  And since El Centro has a Costco, lots of Yumans think Yuma deserves one, too.

  "We are winter visitors and spend five months a year here and truly miss being able to shop at a Costco," wrote Bill and Janet from Oregon. "We're positive that Yuma is big enough to support it."

  Here's the list Susan and her friends compiled: JJill, SteinMart, Brighton, Macy's, Nordstrom's. And Santa, they're really hoping you will come through for them.

  As are those who like to shop at Catherine's and Christopher Banks.

  Joanne would like to see a Red Robin Restaurant and a Hallmark Gold Crown store.

  Foothills resident Dennis keeps hoping Black Bear Diners will come to the Yuma area - preferably in the Foothills. "They are one fine family restaurant. The prices are good and the plates are piled high."

  Since we mentioned the Foothills, the residents of that growing area have a number of items on their wish list - like a Safeway or other major grocery store, maybe a Carl's Jr., Arby's or Denny's. An Olive Garden of their own?

  "Any chance of a mall in the Foothills?" asked one hopeful resident.

  More restaurants is the heartfelt wish for folks who live and work in San Luis, Ariz. They're not picky, anything would do.

  While you're at it, Santa, some people want more recreation, like a heated indoor swimming pool, "a wonderful water park" or a ice skating/roller skating rink.

  Well, Santa, that gives you some ideas for your Christmas bag next time you head to Yuma.

  This writer adds one last wish - that we don't lose any more of the stores and restaurants you've already brought us.

---
Joyce Lobeck can be reached at jlobeck@yumasum.com or 539-6853.