Native New Yorker now serving wings, fun

Native New Yorker, home of Yuma's newest and "coolest place for the hottest wings" is now open for business at 1530 S. Castle Dome Ave. next to the Shilo Inn.

  It had a soft opening Wednesday, and despite the rain, "had a good day," said Dale Hiles, owner of the franchise.

  Hiles said customers have been "raving about the food" and been impressed with the establishment's face lift and all the audio/visual equipment that was installed for the sports bar. He extends an invitation for people "to come by and see the new look, have a cold beer and some wings and enjoy their favorite game." Besides wings, the menu includes salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches, pizza and stromboli.

  Native New Yorker is open from 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The phone number is 329-1171.

  Hiles expressed appreciation to contractor JWL Construction and to Martha Lopez, of Yuma Private Industry Council, who helped with the hiring process. The restaurant has 87 employees.

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  Yuma East developer Ross Wait called the other day to report he's getting back on track with the shopping center he's had planned on Fortuna Road for some time - it was stalled by the roadway improvement project and Far West sewer issues.

  Located just north of the Post Office on Fortuna Road, the shopping center will have about 33,000 square feet. Wait is in the process of reviewing original tenants; other potential tenants can call him at 342-2203.

  Wait hopes to break ground in March and be ready for occupancy by the fall. He said the complex will be a Tuscan-style with a lot of stone - "my goal is something the community can be proud of."

  By the way, the new 1st Bank of Yuma in the Foothills - now in  a temporary building - will be constructed on a pad at Wait's complex.
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  According to Wait, the same issues that stalled him also delayed the long-awaited Foothills-area Walgreens.

  But that project also is now moving forward. The grading permit has been issued and equipment is onsite starting on the ground work. The building plans are under review and construction permits are expected to be ready to issue by the end of the year, according to Yuma County building officials.

  The 14,800-square-foot Walgreens is being built just to the north of Wait's shopping center at the northwest corner of 35th Place and Fortuna Road.
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  The Radisson Hotel, 1501 S. Redondo Center Drive, is now open and ready to serve the traveling public. The four-story hotel has 150 guestrooms, 3,000 square feet of meeting space, business center, indoor and outdoor pools and full service gym. The Hydra Bistro Restaurant and Bar offers fine dining with a Mediterranean influence.

  The hotel can be reached at 783-8000. It is owned by Jerry and Peggy Phillips, who also own La Fuente Inn.
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  Sonora Nissan is getting very close to the opening of the new building - like in less than a month.

  As a year-end special - and last campaign in the "old building" - the dealership is doing a "Car Hero" special, a take-off on Guitar Hero. In an unusual move, Sonora is offering zero percent financing on all pre-owned cars through the end of the month. In addition, anyone who test-drives a pre-owned vehicle by Dec. 31 gets a free copy of the Guitar Hero game.

  The big event associated with the campaign is a Guitar Hero contest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, when the dealership will set up a wide-screen TV and a Nintendo Wii gaming system in front of the store. Folks can come in and play Guitar Hero for points. The winner will receive a Wii gaming system, as well as the latest version of the game (players must be 18 to enter).

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  SMILE (Services Maximizing Living and Empowerment) has moved into the just completed SME office building at 1931 S. Arizona Ave.
  The nonprofit organization helps those with disabilities live a productive and safe life. It can be reached at 329-6681.

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  Champion Christian Church, 3625 S. Avenue 5E, has submitted plans to the city of Yuma for a 10,000-square-foot addition for its expanding children's ministry. During construction, a temporary building will be used. The addition will house the church's Sunday school, youth groups and activity center, said the pastor.

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  In other city building activity, plans have been submitted for a new home for Goldsboro Bakery at 2345 S. Avenue A across the street from where it currently is located, reported Alan Kircher, city of Yuma assistant building official. The new building will be about 3,200 square feet.

  The bakery is moving because the building where it now is located has been purchased by the city for roadway improvements.

  Kircher also reported:

  • Homewood Suites is nearing completion, with one source saying an opening is planned for February.

  • Plans have been submitted for Valley Liquor at Mission Valley Plaza, Lot No. 12. It will be a 5,792-square-foot building.

  • Plans have been submitted for WOW Electronics No. 2, a 3,000-square-foot office and warehouse.

  • Work is nearing completion on a new 10,000-square-foot office building under construction off 16th Street between the Hampton Inn and the closed Arnie's. (That's the building several have asked about).

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  Entertaining Tea at a Discount has moved from Scottsdale's Old Town to the Arizona Market Place in Yuma on Avenue 4E and 32nd Street. The tea and accessory store is in Row H, Space No. 49.

  The shop carries tea, teapots and other things needed to make tea from around the world, including organics, Bone China and tea cosies from England and Ireland.

  Owner David Kish started the business 13 years ago in Albuquerque and is very happy with his new home in "growing" Yuma. He can be reached at 329-6172.

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  Julieanna’s Patio Cafe had a problem: How to fit more tables onto its patio to accommodate the increasing number of customers showing up to dine and listen to the popular local quintet, Yuma Jazz Company.

   Manager Brant Gordon’s solution was to build a stage off the patio dining area. Thus, the idea for "Julieanna’s Birdland Stage" was born. The name refers to both the famous jazz club in New York and the exotic bird population that occupies the stage area during the day.

  The stage, complete with colored stage lighting, will be unveiled this New Year’s Eve when Julieanna’s, 1951 W. 25th St., invites the public to its New Year’s Jazz Celebration. There will be no cover charge for this event, which will feature a special menu, prizes and live jazz by Yuma Jazz Company from 9 p.m. to midnight. Early reservations are suggested by calling 317-1961.

  Yuma Jazz Company features Steven Hennig on trumpet, Brian Carlson on sax, Carl Posch on guitar, Jon Knudtson on bass and Brandon Coz on drums.

   For more information about Julieanna’s, visit www.julieannaspatiocafe.com. To learn more about Yuma Jazz Company and its events, visit www.yumajazz.com.

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   My apologies to Mark Fletcher. I left him off the owner list in an item in last week's column about the fruit stand in front of the Lemon Tree RV Park that is back this winter after a face lift.

  The newly remodeled stand is called Market 32, and is owned by Fletcher, Matt Amoia and Rocky Curtis. Combined, they have 50 years of farming and development experience in Yuma and look forward to providing the freshest local produce and those hard-to-find items from around the country - whether for your home, your restaurant or your market.

  For more information, visit Market 32 on 32nd Street between avenues 4E and 5E or call 276-1999.

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Report Comings and Goings to jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853.