County assessor: Fry's corporate parent purchases Foothills property

Smith Food and Drug Center, the corporate office for Fry's Food Stores in Arizona, has purchased a large piece of property in the Foothills, according to the Yuma County Assessor's Office.

The company has purchased 11.21 acres in five parcels east of Kentucky Fried Chicken, according to the recording of the transaction.

The company indeed has purchased land in that location and has plans to build a new store there to replace the existing Foothills store, Fry's spokeswoman JoEllen Lynn confirmed Friday.

At this time there is no design or timetable for the project, she said. "It will be quite a ways down the road."

Yuma Regional Medical Center has purchased the Kachina Medical Complex at 2451 S. Avenue A, confirmed Machele Headington, hospital spokeswoman.The complex has two buildings with multiple spaces for medical offices and services.

Headington said the complex was purchased to give the landlocked hospital room to grow as it expands and develops services as part of its new strategic plan.

With some open spaces in the complex, there is no immediate need for all the space, she said. Existing leases of current tenants will continue, and be renegotiated as they come due.

Greater Yuma Economic Corporation will be packing up and moving shortly after the new year. Now located in the Chase building 170 W. 16th St. GYEDC is making plans to move into the south side of the University of Phoenix building at 899 E. Plaza Circle off Redondo Center Drive.

The new space will have the same footprint as the existing office but on a smaller scale.

The move will provide several benefits, said GYEDC President and CEO Julie Engel. It will be less expensive because it will be about a thousand square feet smaller, the rent will stay in Yuma, it will have greater visibility as its main door will face Interstate 8 and it will be conveniently located near the Arizona Western College Entrepreneurial Center for partnered business services.

Also, the new office will have a state-of-the-art video conference center, sponsored by Time Warner Cable, for its own meetings and those of its investors.

In other building activity around Yuma, permits have been issued for a 3,800-square-foot addition to the building at 3150 S. Catalina Drive, said Alan Kircher, city of Yuma deputy building official. That's the office for Misenhimer Aivazian and Tennant.

Also, plans have been submitted for a project at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3030 S. 8th Ave., to enlarge the narthex.

Dear Readers:
With the economic downturn, Yuma likely won't be getting many new businesses this year. Therefore, instead of the annual Christmas wish list to Santa, I propose a Thanksgiving column expressing appreciation for the businesses and opportunities we do have.

After all, we already know many of you are still wishing for Trader Joe's and Costco - and I don't see either of those happening anytime soon.

So, readers, please share the favorite things you're thankful for this year, like the businesses that have come to Yuma, the additional recreational opportunities we can now enjoy and the locally owned shops and restaurants that give our community a unique flavor.

Send your favorites to Comings and Goings by Nov. 11 for publication Nov. 22. The e-mail address is jlobeck@yumasun.com.

Last call for soft pretzels fresh out of the oven at Pretzel Time. The store, located at Yuma Palms Regional Center, is closing its doors by Wednesday.

"We'd like to thank all our loyal customers," said owner Hala Awar. "But after almost three years, we've come to the difficult decision of closing our doors."

Dr. M. Mark Awar, F.A.C.C., has moved his practice, Young Hearts of Yuma, to a new office. He is now located at 2051 W. 25th St., Suites A and B, adjacent to Julieanna's Patio Cafe.

Dr. Awar is board certified in cardiovascular medicine and interventional cardiology. He is taking new patients. To schedule an appointment, call 317-1119.

As Nov. 2, Dr. Charles Olivera's adult neurology practice will be seeing patients in his new office at 2281 W. 24th St., Suite No. 8. Dr. Olivera is board certified in neurology and neuro-oncology and treats such conditions as migraines, stroke, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's. He is bilingual.

Psychologist Dr. Magda Trujillo ismoving to the same location as well.

Due to the growth of her pediatrics practice, Dr. Sonal Subbu is moving her Yuma's Children's Clinic. As of Monday, the office will be located at 1801 W. 24th St.

The medical practice of Dr. Mahesh Subbu will remain at 2150 W. 24th St.

It's birthday time for a couple of long-time local businesses. Round Table Pizza, owned by Ray Ochoa, turned 25 this month. And Russell McCloud's father started the family's auto repair business 40 years ago this month.

Mr. B's Bicycles has moved its Foothills store but it's still in the Pioneer Shopping Center, reported owner Donnie Bennett.

The store was next to Snap Fitness, but that business wanted to expand to put in a juice bar and add more freeweight equipment, he said. So Mr. B's has moved to another space on the other side of Fry's between Cost Cutters Family Hair Care and Floorplay, Bennett said.

Kate and Steve Cook, the Segway people, have found a new home base for their business as the first tenant in a downtown mini-indoor mall being developed by property owner Chet Lane at 261 S. Main St.

They expect to have SegwaYuma Tours settled and open for business there by early November.

The former Alltel store at 770 E. 32nd St. now displays Verizon Wireless signs, products and materials. The store was recently converted as Verizon's integration of Alltel continues.

In addition, the Alltel store at Yuma Palms Regional Center was closed this summer.

Former Alltel customers in Yuma now receive Verizon Wireless customer service, sales support and billing.

Also, Verizon Wireless has expanded its HopeLine phone-recycling program in Yuma that turns unused wireless phones into support for victims of domestic violence. No-longer used wireless phones, batteries and accessories from any wireless service provider can be recycled at any Verizon store.

Teri Meehan has become a consultant for PartyLite candles. To book a party or schedule a fundraiser, call 342-3790.

Lion Transportation has moved its transportation brokerage business from Nevada to Yuma, said owner Stephanie Moore. The company will broker trucking services for owners/operators throughout the country.  The business can be reached at 276-4383.

Chicago Title offices in the Yuma area are serving as local drop-off points for the "Cell Phones for Soldiers" effort.

Bring your unused or broken cell phone to Chicago Title locations at 1706 S. 4th Ave. in Yuma, 11611 S. Foothills Blvd., in the Foothills, and 1910 Juan Sanchez Blvd., Suite 13 in San Luis, Ariz.

Cell Phones for Soldiers will recycle the phones to purchase long-distance calling cards for American soldiers and Marines around the world.

More information about the program is available at www.CellPhonesForSoldiers.com.

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