Plans for medical mall at former Target fall through

  The hopes of Dr. Robert Smythe to purchase the former Target building on 32nd Street to develop a medical mall there have fallen through, said Dan Winters, a real estate agent with Michael W. Curtis Realty who was working with Smythe on the project.

  "It just wasn't the right time with the current economic conditions," Winters said.

  However, he said, Smythe is still pursuing the concept of a medical mall, probably on a smaller scale.

  "But the old Target is no longer in escrow."

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  The former Kofa National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters office at 356 W. 1st St. soon will be history. The city purchased the property in 2007 with plans to build a restaurant and boutique hotel there as part of the riverfront redevelopment, said Charles Flynn, director of that effort for the city.

  With the relocation of the refuge headquarters in July, the old office and storage facilities are slated for demolition, likely in the next two or three weeks, Flynn said.

  This will be the final step in the city's efforts to acquire and clear land for the riverfront development, he said. The projects at the site are probably a couple of years away, he added.

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  Plans have been approved for the Alexander Auto Service Center and Parts Department for the Mazda dealership at 1350 E. 32nd St., reported Alan Kircher, city of Yuma building official. The new building will be 10,000 square feet. W.J. Anderson is the general contractor.

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  Kircher also reported that work going on at the southeast corner of Araby Road and 32nd Street is for Araby Crossing Subdivision.

  According to city of Yuma records, the subdivision is being developed by Elliott Alta Vista LLC on nearly 44 acres. The proposal is to develop 198 residential lots and six commercial lots.

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  Here's a sign fall can't be far off: the Garden Cafe, 248 S. Madison Ave., is opening Tuesday for the winter. Tortilla soup time again!

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  "Almost ready," said Marci Rios of the new Comfort Inn Suites at 10553 S. Fortuna Road. He said he is hopeful the hotel will open within the next couple of weeks. The hotel will have 79 regular rooms and suites.

  "It will be a beautiful hotel," he said, and furnished with Serta mattresses so guests are assured of getting a good night's sleep.

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   The fire-damaged Famous Sam's Restaurant and Bar, 2052 S. 4th Ave., has been demolished and the lot cleared. There's no word yet on future plans of the owner for the business or property.

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  David and Joanna Watt have started Assured Fire Equipment, a mobile company that sells and services fire extinguishers for businesses and restaurant suppression systems. The company is a licensed and bonded contractor.

  A Marine for 12 years, David has been in Yuma since 2004 and started a trucking company when he got out of the service in 2005.

  His current business partner, David Hamilton, is from Oregon, where he was certified and practiced in the fire protection industry for more than a decade.

  Assured Fire Equipment offers free estimates and can usually provide same- or next-day service, and work around customers' daily routine and operations, David said.

  For more information, call 287-3957 or e-mail assuredfireequipment@yahoo.com.

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  Ussery's Antiques and Gifts, now in its third year at Pioneer Shopping Center, has added new gift lines, said owner Rita Ussery. Also, beginning Oct. 15, the store again will be selling See's Candy with proceeds to benefit Cub and Boy Scouts.

  Winter hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. The store can be reached at 342-3709.

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  Ted and Bobbi Mathias, who previously had Ted's Cellar at Arizona Ted's Emporium, 197 S. Main St., are back and operating under the name Dick and Jane's Lunch Box. That's because they're now in business with their daughter Jane and son-in-law Richard Wild.

  The new restaurant will open for business Tuesday. For now they're opening the doors at 11 a.m. for lunch and deliveries with a menu of soups, salads and sandwiches. The restaurant can be reached at 329-4700.

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  Pat Romant and daughters Alicia Figueroa and Tricia and Erica Romant have opened a new family business called Parte Event Planning.

  They will assist in planning weddings, business events, birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions, quinceaneras and other special events to help make for a memorable day.

  For more information, call 581-9928 or visit their Web site at www.parteev entplanning.com.

 To help make prospective brides and their grooms-to-be more aware of services available from Yuma business for their special day, Parte Event Planning is hosting the 2008 Bridal Fair.

  The fair, to be held from noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Yuma Civic Center, will showcase local businesses that offer wedding services. Tickets will be available on the day of the event for $5.

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  Marion J. Wolsey, M.Ed., Arizona licensed professional counselor and owner of Dimensions Associates, has completed training in combat post traumatic stress disorder in mental health and recertification as an Arizona qualitative evaluator and education psychologist in education K-12.

  She is now accepting private clients and families who have recently experienced the war in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Payment is cash only according to a sliding scale.

  For an appointment, call 373-9218.

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  Jennifer Blackwell Photography is branching out and now offers custom photo invitations and holiday photo cards in various sizes. Jennifer also works with schools and nonprofit groups on fundraisers.

  For more information, call 446-5803 or visit www.jenniferblackwellphotography.com.

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