San Luis grocery store closes doors

The newer Food City in San Luis, Ariz., has closed its doors, confirmed Kristy Nied, spokesman for parent company Bashas'. The last day of business was April 25.

She said some of the store's 60 employees were transferred while others were terminated with severance packages.

The space for the grocery store was leased from Riedel Construction, Nied said.

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The May issue of Yuma Business Direct is now available online at businessinyuma.com. Read about Nancy Vega, owner of Sand & Stone Fine Jewelers, who relates that the best part of her job is getting to share in her clients' special moments.

The issue also features Ed Whitehead and his tire shop, the latest recipient of the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce Member of the Month award.

And Jerry Philipps traces his path from his start as young Greek immigrant to the developer of the four-star Radisson Hotel Yuma.

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The recently opened Hooligan's Sports Bar and Grill, 3950 W. 24th St., will celebrate a grand opening Friday with food and drink specials beginning at 11 a.m.

The festivals continue into the weekend with the club's first comedy show Saturday. Performances at 7:30 and 9 p.m. will feature comedians Josh Denny and Armon Williams. Tickets at $15 are available at the club or online at Hooligan'syuma.com.

Other new developments include lunch specials, ladies night Wednesdays and country music and dancing on Thursday evenings.

For more information, call 783-8700.

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Contractor Rick Loebig reported that a team of volunteers will be working to salvage rock from the "rock house" Tuesday. The house, which city officials condemned in April after finding it to be unsafe, will be demolished Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Loebig has submitted the blueprints to the city for a replacement home for owner 85-year-old Albert Ramirez. Loebig is hopeful he can start on the new house in the next couple of weeks.

Anyone wanting to help with the effort through monetary donations, materials or labor can reach Loebig at 783-6760.

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The former Chile Verde, 2265 S. 4th Ave., has been sold, said Realtor Brenda Cloud, who had the listing. She said the new owner is Xing Hua Zhen, who has other investments in San Luis Rio Colorado, Son.

Cloud said Zhen is exploring various options for the property.

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A certificate of occupancy has been issued for the new Jack in the Box on Avenue 3E across from the front gate of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, said Alan Kircher, city of Yuma assistant building official.

He also reported that plans have been submitted for a new office and warehouse for Tierra Management 2 in the Curtis Industrial Park.

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Assistance League of Yuma's thrift shop, 1054 S. 4th Ave., will have a "brown bag sale" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily May 12-14. The shop will then close beginning May 15 for cleaning, restocking and time off for the volunteers.

Summer hours of Tuesdays only will begin July 7. For more information, call 782-9314.

As part of the organization's recent 39th anniversary celebration, longtime thrift store shopper Anne N'ait Ali won a $20 shopping spree.

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Yuma High School Student Council has opened a Prom Closet to allow students of all financial backgrounds the ability to attend prom. So far, more than 200 dresses have been donated. One person contributed 10 dinners and a limo ride to the dance as his donation. Donations continue to be accepted at the school.

An empty classroom was turned into a boutique making the shopping experience feel like an actual store. The Prom Closet is open from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on school days.

Although the closet was designed for Yuma High Students, no YUHSD students will be turned away.  Right now rentals are limited to females, but Yuma High hopes in the future to expand and include men’s apparel. The rental fee is $10 for any item the girl might need, including dresses, jewelry, purses and shoes. The fee covers the cost of dry cleaning upon return of the dress.

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Realtor Barry Julian, who specializes in properties in the eastern Yuma County, has developed a link on the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp.'s Web site as a resource for fellow Realtors who may get calls from alternative energy companies looking for sites near the proposed oil refinery.

He said he's received a number of calls from solar energy companies and figures other Realtors may be getting calls as well.

To find potential properties, they can go to greateryuma.org, click on selection sites and scroll down to solar energy sites. There he's posted potential industrial properties he's aware of from Tacna to the Yuma County line, with maps, legal descriptions, acreage and price. All of them are near the APS 500-kv transmission line.

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The San Diego-based insurance agency, Hunter Insurance Services Inc., has opened a new location in Yuma. Hunter Insurance Services has been servicing the insurance needs of the construction industry throughout the region for 12 years.

Deborah Simonton and Stephanie Watson, who manage the Yuma office at 291 S. Main St., Suite E2 in downtown Yuma, have 20 years of combined experience in the insurance industry. They not only service the construction industry, they're also able to write any and all kinds of insurance from small businesses to personal home, auto and recreational vehicle packages. They can be reached at 1-888-815-7639, Ext. 722 or 703.

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8minuteDating, one of the newest dating events to sweep the country, has arrived in Yuma, announced Denise Goetter, local event organizer.

Here's how it works: Men and women are paired off for one-on-one conversations. After eight minutes, participants discreetly note whether or not they're interested in meeting again for dating, friendship or business. In the middle of the evening, there's a 20-minute intermission when guests can meet everyone at the party.

After the event, participants log on to www.8minuteDating.com and enter the names of the people they're interested in meeting again. When two people enter each other's names, both parties are e-mailed contact information.

If someone doesn't meet anyone they want to see again, their next event is free.

Visit www.8minuteDating.com for local events and details.

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