Comings and Goings: Chick-fil-A on its way

The city of Yuma received word last week that the Chick-fil-A restaurant is ready to move forward with building permits and construction, reported Alan Kircher, city deputy building official.

The restaurant, which has been dangling on Yumans' waiting list for some time, will be located on a free-standing pad next to Five Guys Burgers at 16th Street and Pacific Avenue.

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In other building activity, Kircher reported:

• Plans have been submitted for tenant improvements to 1590 S. 2nd Ave. for Arizona Counseling and Treatment Services.

• Plans also are under review for tenant improvements at 2435 S. Avenue A for Yuma Community Physicians. It will be a 2,160-square-foot space.

• Building permits have been issued for the Amelia Earhart Hangar, a metal shell building to be located at the Defense Contractors Complex being developed at Yuma International Airport. Million Air, the airport's fueler, is installing the hangar for future use by defense contractors working in the Yuma area.

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Yuma's newest workout center, Planet Fitness, is now open for business at 1232 S. Castle Dome Ave. (the former Circuit City store) in the Las Palmillas Shopping Center. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the convenience of members.

Franchise owner Steve Thomas explained that Planet Fitness is for anyone interested in general fitness regardless of their physical condition, featuring a Judgement Free Zone. It offers free unlimited fitness training, a certified trainer, several classes and fitness equipment as well as shower and changing rooms. Two membership levels are available: a basic monthly rate and an expanded one that includes tanning, massage and other services.

For more information, call 782-5555.

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The former JCPenney building in downtown Yuma has been purchased by the Gowan Company, according to the Yuma County Assessor's Office. The long-vacant former department store is next door to Gowan Company's headquarters at 370 S. Main St.

The building had housed Yuma's JCPenney department store from 1952 to 1976, according to Yuma Sun archives. It then declined into factory and warehouse space for garment manufacturers, was a temporary facility for a bakery in 1998, and then a vacant hulk. Centro Familiar Cristiano Buenas Nuevas bought the building in 2007 for a worship center but was denied a conditional use permit by the city. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2011 overruled the city's decision but by then the church had lost the property to foreclosure.

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Ann Garcia and Santino “Sonny” Ciottti recently purchased SunRay Electric Inc., an electrical contracting firm, from Don Doten and are working with him to become familiar with his client base.

Garcia and Ciotti worked together for seven years with an electrical contracting company and seized the opportunity to go into business for themselves when Doten put his business up for sale so he could retire. He had started the business in 1986.

Ciotti has several years of experience as an electrician in Yuma as well as California, while Garcia has many years of experience in running an office.

SunRay Electric services residential and commercial properties for electrical repairs as well as building from the ground up. The business can be reached at 782-5502.

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Longtime hairdresser Dorothy Garwood, who had been working at BJ's HairCare, has relocated. She is now at Teri's Beauty Salon, 11550 Foothills Blvd. For an appointment, call 581-6633. Garwood has been in the hair business since 1994.

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Silvia Lopez and Mary Lou Montoya are now working at Simply Beautiful, 1659 W. 4th Ave.

Lopez, a hairstylist and barber, previously was at Arizona Barber Shop. Hairstylist Montoya had worked at Glenda's Hair Studio.

For an appointment, call 919-1766; walk-ins also are accepted.

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I'm sorry to report that Jersey's Burgers, located at 2852 E. Highway 95, has closed. Owner Matthew Grimes said he just wasn't getting the traffic he needed to keep the grill hot and the business open.

Anyone interested in taking over his drive-up burger stand can reach him at 750-1576.

Carl's Jr. in Gila Bend is now open for business for those who get hungry while making that drive between Yuma and Phoenix.

Report Comings and Goings to jlobeck@yumasun.com or call Joyce Lobeck at 539-6853.