Comings and Goings: Yuma Fine Arts gift shop reopens

The Yuma Fine Arts Association Gift Shop is again open after being closed for a few weeks while the organization reorganized and elected a new board of trustees. The gift shop, located inside the Yuma Art Center at 254 S. Main St., showcases a broad range of unique artwork produced by local artists.

Currently staffed by long-time gift shop employee Kellie Canada and volunteers, the shop is open from approximately noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, staying open until 5 p.m. on Fridays. Call 329-6607 for more information.

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The Sanguinetti House Museum and Gardens and the Adobe Annex Gift Shop, 240 S. Madison Ave., are closed through Jan. 31 for renovations. They will both re-open for business on Feb. 1. For more information, call 782-1841.

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Sales tax numbers overall continue a small positive trend from last year for the city of Yuma, officials reported.

Sales tax revenue in November, collected on sales the previous month, totaled $2.5 million, a 3.2 percent increase over November 2011. Calendar year through November, a total of $29.7 million has been collected, up 7.9 percent from the same period in 2011. And for the fiscal year that started July 1, revenue through November is up by an encouraging 9.2 percent.

Gains in retail sales numbers remain small but positive, with revenue up by 4.6 percent in November and 3.2 percent for the calendar year to date over the previous periods in 2011.

As for the city's 2 percent special tax on hotels, restaurants and bars, a total of $369,265 was collected in November to raise the total for the fiscal year by 1.1 percent.

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Occupancy rates for Yuma-area RV parks is down just slightly from the same time in 2011, reported Paul Shedal of Yuma Stats. According to his November survey of 45 properties, 10,203 of the total 15,123 spaces were occupied for an occupancy rate of 67.4 percent. That's down 0.42 from the same period in 2011. This monthly survey samples about 70 percent of all traditional visitor RV parks with spaces for lease or rent.

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Christopher N. Lee has started a new business, American Roofing LLC. He brings 10 years experience to the business and is licensed and bonded for both residential and commercial roofing projects. He will work with all insurance companies to help settle claims.

Home-based in Yuma, the company does roof work from minor repairs to full replacements, whether shingles, flat roofs or tile. Free estimates are available. For more information, call (928) 581-5150.

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To catch up on some Foothills news:

• The new store under construction at 11337 S. Foothills Blvd. will be a Family Dollar store. After being the subject of curiosity — and lots of inquiries my way — for several months, I understand the site now has a sign identifying it.

By the way, Family Dollar spokeswoman Bryn Winburn said last week that the store is expected to open in the first quarter of 2013. Those interested in applying for a job are encouraged to start looking for job listings for the store in early January on www.familydollar.com.

• Opening of the new Denny's under construction near the new Foothills Fry's grocery store has been pushed back to sometime in January, reported franchise owner Mike Manos. The 4,200-square-foot restaurant will occupy a free-standing pad just east of Chase Bank.

• Aaron's Rent is now open in Fortuna Commons, the strip center next to Fry's. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. It can be reached at 345-3956. Aaron's offers lease to own furniture, computers, electronics and appliances.

• Cost Cutters also is open for business in the new shopping center. It was a short move from just across the street for the hair salon, which had previously been at 11274 S. Fortuna Road. All the staff moved with the salon and it has the same phone number of 305-1676. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.

• As for the remaining spaces, Todd Kjar, a representative for the developer, said a nail salon will be opening soon and a dentist is coming. He's also talking to other potential clients.

• Starbucks (between Taco Bell and McDonald's on the north of Interstate 8) is hoping for a March opening of that store. Construction crew will start working on the interior finishing after the holidays, which is expected to take about 60 days to complete.

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Neomi and Vanessa Schaffer, owners of Poisonous Pinups, report that the shop is up and running again with new merchandise after being in limbo for awhile. The shop is located at 2615 E. 24th St. and can be reached at 580-2310.

In other news for the business, Alliance Tattoo Lounge has moved into the building and is in the same shop as Poisonous Pinups. The tattoo shop can be reached at 344-0084.

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Following up on last week's report that Chico's was seeking bids for tenant improvements for a store at Yuma Palms Regional Center, the retailer has now submitted plans for the permitting process with the city of Yuma, confirmed Alan Kircher, city of Yuma deputy building official. The retailer plans to open a 3,150-square-foot store where Ann Taylor Loft previously was located in the shopping center.

In other city building activity, building permits have been issued for improvements to the waiting area of the ambulatory surgery center at Yuma Regional Medical Center.

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Merry Christmas to all my faithful readers.