New Walgreens about ready to open, company buys property in Foothills
The process of stocking the new Walgreens is underway, with management hoping to be able to open the new store at 2801 S. 4th Ave. for business by Friday.
The new store is 15,700 square feet, slightly smaller than the existing store (28,000 square feet) at the Big Curve Shopping Center because it won't have a liquor department. It does, however, have a drive-through for prescription customers.
It will have the same phone number: 344-0350.
Walgreens also has closed escrow on property on Fortuna Road it purchased from Ross Wait to build a new drug store in the Foothills.
Word is that construction could start this year on that store, now that the new 4th Avenue store is on the verge of opening.
Meanwhile, Realtor Irene Crites, property manager for the Big Curve Shopping Center, is still working on finding a new tenant to fill the store space Walgreens will vacate there.
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As of Monday, people will have a couple more good reasons to think of downtown Yuma when they go shopping.
That's when Jayna Armenta will open her dream business, Jayna's Floral Shop, at 251 S. Main St. She has fresh flowers, silk flowers, plants, balloons, stuffed animals and bath scents, with plans to expand to other gift items as well.
Armenta isn't exactly new to the business, having worked seasonally in floral shops, so, yes, she knows how busy Valentine's Day will be. She also has a green thumb - last time she moved, it took four truckloads to move all her plants, she said.
Working with her will be Becky Torres, who has 20 years floral design experience. Armenta also will be pressing her three children and one stepchild into service, especially since two of them drive and she will be offering free delivery for the quickly approaching Valentine's Day.
A Yuma native, Armenta is thrilled to be realizing her dream of opening her own floral shop and equally pleased to be on Main Street: "I love the downtown," she said. "I'm so excited to be there."
Her shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; phone number is 782-5726.
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Also officially opening Monday - although anxious customers were at the door last week - in downtown Yuma is Sugar 'N' Spice, a bridal and evening wear shop at 280 S. Main St. The shop is a relocation for owner Rebecca Smith. Her business formerly was located at 206 S. Madison Ave, but it outgrew the old space after three years there.
Smith said she has everything for a wedding. Besides a selection of bridal gowns - and the pretty lingerie to go underneath - tuxedos and accessories, she also provides wedding consultation, planning and organizing services. That includes everything from the invitations to decorating for the reception after the nuptials.
But don't just think Sugar 'N' Spice for weddings. Smith also has a selection of evening and formal wear, a line she wants to expand now that she has some space to grow.
For now, she plans to be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m Saturday; phone number is 783-1237.
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Kent Rosevear and Bill Manary have moved their business, Pro-Tech Automotive & Performance LLC, but only 1. blocks away. They recently completed construction of their own building at 985 E. 20th St. - that's just east of Arizona Avenue on 20th Street.
And even though the new building, with 10,000 square feet, is twice of the size of the one where the partners started their business a couple of years ago, they're still keeping the place full and busy.
That could be partly because they now have the equipment to service heavy machinery and big trucks and also can now do custom exhaust work.
They're open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; phone number is 539-5245.
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Attorney Jerrold F. Shelley has relocated his office to 337 S. 2nd Ave., Suite A. The phone number is 782-3897.
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Yet another business that has just moved into new, larger quarters is that of massage therapist Connie Lafkin. She's moved her business, Back In Balance, from 1300 S. 5th Ave. to 1107 S. 5th Ave. next door to Nichols Lock & Key.
"I even have a reception and waiting room," Lafkin said.
She started learning the massage therapy business in the late 1980s and decided to try to make a living at it in 1996.
She's done well enough to open a shop in 2000 and now move to a larger space.
You can reach her at 373-0909.
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Family Dollar Store is negotiating for locations for two more stores in Yuma, a spokeswoman for the rapidly growing business confirmed.
One store is proposed for the western part of the city and another in the north part off 4th Avenue.
The business currently has four stores in Yuma County: one at 432 E. 16th St. in Yuma, one at 11468 S. Fortuna Road, one in Somerton and one in San Luis, Ariz.
Family Dollar offers value prices on such items as health and beauty aids, household products, small electronics, school supplies, auto parts, gifts and candy and other snack foods.
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Report Comings & Goings to jlobeck@yumasun.com or call Joyce Lobeck at 539-6853.
