Yuma Mesa Shopping Center owner buying vacant Imperial store
The Imperial Furnishings building has been sold, or at least it is in escrow.
The property at 1701 S. 4th Ave., vacant since the long-time furniture store closed in December, is being purchased by Ernie Cheonis, owner of the neighboring Yuma Mesa Shopping Center.
In confirming the purchase Friday, Cheonis said the property "was an attractive parcel" and would be a good addition to the shopping center.
He said he is negotiating with potential national tenants, adding that the property would be used for retail.
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Los Arcos Lanes, 2755 S. 4th Ave., is history. In its place, Hall Construction, which owns the property, plans to build an office complex consisting of one two-story building and two one-story buildings, said Brian Hall.
He said he hopes to start construction on the new project in April and have spaces ready for tenant improvements by August. Spaces will range from 1,400 square feet to 15,000 square feet, depending on prospective tenants' needs.
A portion of the complex will be taken by the company's various business operations. But there will be plenty of spaces still available.
If interested in leasing a space, call Jeff Snow at 782-3072.
Meanwhile, work is progressing on the first phase of the 4,000-home housing project, Ocotillo Desert, that Hall Construction is developing near Avenue 6E and 40th Street. Hall said a grand opening will be held in mid-March for the first 112 homes. Anyone interested can look through the seven model homes that show all the options being offered.
But the project consists of more than building houses, it is the development of a master-planned community. The first phase will include a park, basketball court, soccer field and playground in the five-acre retention basin, Hall said, explaining that he wants to make a "nice community."
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Banners Plus has moved from 1314 S. 4th Ave., Suite D, to 2654 E. 16th St. The business was going to move next summer, but circumstances dictated it happen sooner, said owner Sonja Grimaldi.
And she's thrilled with the new location, the former home of Westmoor Electric Inc., which moved into its own new location at 1636 E. 20th St., Suite C, about 10 months ago.
With the relocation, Banners Plus has more room, more parking, service bays for working on vehicles and just generally a place that is "better suited" for it, said Grimaldi, who has been in business for 10 years. And with the move out of the city, it will save on taxes, which benefits customers.
Grimaldi stressed that Banners Plus doesn't just do banners. It also does vehicle lettering, plaques and trophies, license plates and photo restoration, just to name a few of its services. For a more complete list, check out the Web site at www.bannersyuma.com.
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Long-time Realtor J.B. Shrader has opened his own real estate office in the Crescent Center - a natural location considering that he has managed the property for 13 years.
For now he is in a temporary office on the fifth floor while remodeling his permanent office, which will be Suite 119. His office is called Shrader Realty & Associates.
Joining him in the business is his daughter, Cynthia Shrader. She recently moved back to Yuma from Ireland, where she had worked with the Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin, to be closer to her family. Currently, she is attending school to earn her Realtor's license.
Shrader has been in the real estate business for 15 years, working with Colleen Newman. He specializes in sales and property management. Shrader can be reached at 314-3030.
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The Sky Chief is once again open, this time with new owners Manuel Castro and Jose Sanchez. The partners took over the sports bar and grill last week. A grand opening has been scheduled for Friday, featuring the modern and classic rock 'n' roll band 340 from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The band also will play for Valentine's Day Saturday.
It's been an open, closed, reopened history for Sky Chief, 1530 E. 32nd St. After a brief life as El Mariachi, it reopened as the Sky Chief last fall. But that deal fell through. Now Castro and Sanchez have taken over and again opened the doors.
"It's a beautiful location, a beautiful bar, it's all been remodeled," said Castro by way of explanation for why he and Sanchez, a former partner with Chili Verde, decided to purchase the business.
Hours are 11 a.m. to midnight Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, serving up lunch and dinner. Phone number is 314-0158.
It has an 80-inch big screen television set, a plasma TV behind the bar and six other TVs - all tuned to sports channels. It also offers pool tables and dart games.
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Report Comings & Goings to jlobeck@yumasun.com or call Business Editor Joyce Lobeck at 539-6853.
