BUSINESSES ON THE MOVE

City of Yuma building activity

Permits have been issued for a major facelift to the interior of the Walmart Supercenter on Pacific Avenue, reported Alan Kircher, city of Yuma deputy building official. The renovation, with a valuation of more than $1 million, will include new flooring and wall finishing throughout the store, upgrades to the pharmacy and improvements to the restrooms and many of the departments.

In other city of Yuma building activity, Kircher reported:

• Work has begun on an expansion to True Leaf Farms produce cooler at 2955 S. Avenue 2-1/2E. The 23,000-square-foot addition includes docks and cold storage areas.

• Permits have been issued for a solar photovoltaic project at Fisher Chrysler and Fisher Collision Center, expected to generate about 325,000 kilowatt-hours of solar electricity annually.

• Work is moving ahead on the old Betko hanger, which Million Air is renovating into the Yuma Pilot Center. Million Air is the new fixed-based operator and fuel provider at Yuma County International Airport.

• Improvements are underway to 251 S. Main St. where Fred and Mary Earle are planning to open Yuma Main Squeeze, a custom winery. A franchise, the winery will import “must” (grape juice) from all over the world and mix, ferment, bottle and age the wines onsite. The Earles are planning a grand opening in October.

• Good news for Kofa High School students. A large shade structure has been completed next to the school's cafeteria.

• Jehovah's Witnesses' new Kingdom Hall has been completed at 4985 E. 30th Place.

• Permits have been issued for interior renovations to the former 84 Lumber, 3260 W. Arizona Ave., for an auto body shop, Gerber Collision and Glass.

Las Palapas is coming to Foothills

Las Palapas will be opening a store inside the Chevron station on Fortuna Road, confirmed John Bornt, general manager for Shay Oil. He said he had received various inquiries about the space formerly occupied by Quiznos. Las Palapas, noted for its tacos, will be nice because it is local and “its food is good,” he said.

It should be ready to open by late September or early October.

In other Chevron activity, the fuel dispenser for the station at 500 E. 32nd St. are closed for upgrades that include new gas lines and new dispensers, all of which will have diesel as well as gasoline, Bornt said. The convenience store remains open during the construction.

The project is expected to be completed and the dispensers reopened before Labor Day.

Chicanos Por La Causa opens Yuma center

Chicanos Por La Causa Inc. has announced the grand opening of its new Centro de La Familia behavioral health counseling center in Yuma at 106 E. 1st St. The center provides counseling, medication management, case management, peer support and family support.

The assistance is available in English and Spanish, as well as other languages upon request.

The center can be reached at 343-9825.

Chicago Title moves Foothills office

Chicago Title Insurance Company, formerly Yuma Title, has relocated its office in the Foothills.

Escrow officer Katie Wofford and her assistant, Markesha Horton, can still be found at 11611 S. Foothills Blvd., but are now in Suite B, just south of their former suite.

The office phone number remains 342-1990. Office hours at that Chicago Title branch are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Assistance League to expand

Assistance League of Yuma has purchased property at 1048 5th Ave. next to its Operation School Bell facility with plans to build a new multi-purpose building there.

ALY has contracted with Edais Engineering Inc. to develop the plans for the new building that will provide overflow facilities for Operation School Bell and other ALY programs, storage of donated merchandise for the Thrift Shop and office and work space for chapter members.

Meanwhile, ALY has established a building fund and welcomes any donations to it as well as to Operation School Bell and the thrift store.

Seen and heard around Yuma

• A “for sale” sign by Commercial Brokers has been posted at Palagor Asian Fusion, which closed this spring.

• The Closet Lounge, 3790 S. 4th Ave., is closed, confirmed owner Brice Zeller. He had no further comment.

Foothills McDonald's opens doors

The new McDonald's in the Foothills, located on North Frontage Road off Fortuna Road next to AEA, is now open for business. The restaurant brings the chain's newest look to the Yuma area. It has space for RV parking and features a duo-lane drive-through.

Owner is Jose Leon, who also owns the McDonald's in San Luis, Ariz., and the one inside the Foothills Walmart Supercenter.

Yuman returns to practice medicine here

Yuma native and Yuma High Criminal, Dr. Kristina Diaz has returned to Yuma as a family medicine doctor. She has joined the practice of Dr. Ricky Ochoa with Yuma Valley Family Medicine at 2270 S. Ridgeview Drive, Suite 303 in the ProMed Office Complex.

Diaz completed her family medicine residency in June at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., specializing in women and children and weight loss. She will be taking her boards in December.

For an appointment with Dr. Diaz, call 782-1903.

Sophia's Dog House in hands of next generation

For those of you with furry friends, Sophia's Dog House, which is located at 860 E. 24th St. for the last 30 years, has happily been passed down from mother to daughter.

The new owners are Tanya Gill and Daryl Dick, who have changed the name to Sophia's Too. Not to worry though, the shop has the same staff, and groomers are still available for your pet's needs.

In addition to the regular hours of 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, the shop will now be open every other Saturday. Also coming soon will be products and accessories for your pets, along with gift cards for purchase.

Call 726-0289 for more information or to make an appointment. Walk- ins are welcome.

NP joins Awar's cardiology practice

Dana Lovorn, NP, has joined Dr. Mark Awar at Young Hearts of Yuma, 2051

W. 25th St., Suite A. Lovorn previously was the nurse practitioner at the office of Dr. Gogte, who died recently.

To schedule an appointment, call 317-1119.

Thirty-One Gifts consultant

Amanda Johnson has become a consultant for Thirty-One Gifts.

From signature purses and totes to children's items and home accents, a shopper can find gifts for every personality and situation with affordable prices and the ease of shopping during a home party or online.

To make a purchase, host a party or learn more about becoming a consultant, Johnson can be reached at 581-7300 or ThirtyOnebyAmanda@gmail.com or visit her website at www.MyThirtyOne.com/AmandaJ31.

Pottery studio open for business

Wild Imagination Pottery Studio is now open for business at 102 E. 3rd St. The studio can be reached at 247-9428.

Owner Kathy Stutzman said customers can come in, choose premade pottery and paint the piece where ever their imagination takes them. To help them carry out their design, the studio has stencils, stamps and sponges as well as painted samples for inspiration.

After they are done painting their pottery, Stutzman will glaze it and put it in the kiln to fire. The piece will be ready in one week.

Edward Jones office recognized

A Yuma branch of Edward Jones has been recognized as a Top 10 client service provider in the region. The branch at 3970 W. 24th St., Suite 212, is headed by Brian Butcher.

“We are honored to receive this recognition,” Butcher said. “To be ranked as one of top client service providers is special because it is a direct reflection of the relationships we have with our clients.”

Olsen takes over Coyote Wash grocery store

Longtime area grocer Don Olsen has purchased the grocery store and the shopping center at Coyote Wash in Wellton.

Olsen said he working toward reopening the now closed grocery store in October as Olsen's IGA.

Among the items he plans to bring to the store are Kammann sausage, Olsen's homemade ice cream and quality meats for which the grocer is well known.

Olsen said he's been getting calls from Wellton residents who are eager to welcome him back to the community. He had purchased an existing grocery store there in 1975, but later sold it.

Blimpie's open at Big Curve

Blimpie's is now open at the Big Curve (in the former Quiznos store), confirmed Irene Crites, property manager for the center.

Brown Bag Burger to open at Yuma Palms

Plans are underway to open a second Brown Bag Burger Yuma. The new restaurant is going into the former Quiznos location at Yuma Palms Regional Center and is expected to be open by mid-September.

Meanwhile, the original Brown Bag Burger, 5800 E. 32nd St., is expected to reopen by Oct. 1. It has been closed since being damaged by a fire in June.

In addition, owner Kayla Mattern is making plans to open a third store in the Foothills and possibly a fourth in Yuma Valley.

New pet grooming business

After 14 years of grooming people's pets, Sherri Phillips has opened her own pet grooming business, A Smoochable Pooch. She offers full grooming services, including tooth brushing medicated shampoos and nail filing.

A Smoochable Pooch is in The Palm Plaza shopping center, 2241 S. Avenue A, Suite 21. The shop can be reached at 782-2066.

Unzueta Auto Repair moves

Unzueta Auto Repair has a new home. The shop, formerly located at 2098 S. 4th Ave., has moved and now is at 1711 S. Arizona Ave., said owner Tony Unzueta. In business for 10 years, the shop provides automotive repairs and service.

The shop can be reached at 539-7073.

Entomologist joins Team Yuma Pest

Douglas Seemann, a board-certified entomologist with more than 25 years experience in the pest control business, has joined Team Yuma Pest, which does business as Yuma Pest and Termite Systems.

Currently, Seemann is an adviser for the Arizona Office of Pest Management that licenses and oversees pest control companies around the state. He will continue in that capacity while also working part time for Team Yuma Pest, offering his technical expertise for pest identification, public information seminars, employee training and other public presentations.

Seemann has hosted radio and TV programs “Everybody's Home” and “Ask the Expert,” and was honored with an award from Purdue University at the Urban Pest Control Conference.

Yuma Jazzercise moves

Yuma Valley Jazzercise has moved and is now meeting at Oasis Church, 1545 S. Avenue C, announced owner Jenae Bailey. Along with the move, Bailey announced a new class schedule of 9 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Child care is available.

Jazzercise is a 60-minute total body workout, combining kick-boxing, hip-hop, yoga, Pilates, cardio, strength training and stretching. To register, call 919-2820 or e-mail yvjazzercise@aol.com.

New Mary Kay beauty consultant

Lisa Rammelt has become an independent beauty consultant with Mary Kay. She can be reached at www.marykay.com/Lisa.Rammelt or call 246-1105.

Datepac announces new CEO

Edward O'Malley has been named president and chief executive officer of Datepac LLC of Yuma, a processor and shipper of fresh Medjool dates.

O'Malley has more than 30 years of global experience in marketing, operations and supply chain management with fresh produce and packaged foods. In 2009, he served Chemonics International as director of the Mazar Food Initiative in Afghanistan. He has held executive positions in marketing with Fresh Express, Dole Fresh Vegetables and Paramount Farms.

Datepac is owned by date growers in Bard Valley. The company has two state-of-the art date processing facilities in Yuma and markets fresh Medjool dates throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia.