Comings and Goings: Foothills Starbucks open for java lovers

Foothills-area residents – at least those who are fans of Starbucks – no doubt are rejoicing with the opening of their very own coffee shop in their neighborhood.

The Starbucks opened late last week off Fortuna Road on North Frontage Road in the Mesa del Sol Commercial Centre being developed by Scott Spencer.

“We feel it's a good location,” said Starbucks spokeswoman Cindy Freels. She said Foothills residents have asked the company for years to put a Starbucks close to them. And the location is just off Interstate 8 for travelers who are looking for a cup of coffee. For their convenience, the new shop has a drive-through.

The shop is open from 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays. It employs 30 people (Starbucks has a total of 137 employee in Yuma), said Starbucks district manager Sarah D'Arcy. Manager of the new store is Matt Newell.

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JCPenney has teamed up with some of the biggest names in fashion to bring their designs to more Americans at an affordable price through boutiques within the store, announced M. Joy Lopez-Pearsall, store leader for Yuma's JCPenney at Yuma Palms Regional Center.

The first of these, Joe Fresh, debuts its shop Friday at Yuma's JCPenney. Until recently, Joe Fresh's colorful fashions have been enjoyed in the United States only by New Yorkers. But the Canadian-based brand is now making its way across America, including Yuma.

William Rast by Justin Timberlake, Pearl by Georgina Chapman of Marchesa, L'amour Nanette Lepore, Duro Olowu for JCP and LULU Guinness will join a growing list of leading brands in stores across the country and jcp.com this spring, she said.

The other shops are scheduled to debut later this spring or early summer after some interior renovations to the store.

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Don C. Woodke, a four-year resident of Yuma, has joined the team of Commercial Brokers, announced Gary D. Lee, broker of the agency.

Woodke has more than 20 years of commercial real estate experience, including sales, leasing, property management, property tax consulting and owner of an assortment of commercial properties.

He specializes in dealing with owners of commercial property, working with them in listing their property, property tax consulting and property management. He also works as a commercial buyer's agent and can consult future buyers on property listed in Yuma County and beyond.

Commercial Brokers, 390 W. Catalina Drive, can be reached at 344-8300. Woodke also can be reached on his cell phone at 920-7520.

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B&E Sanitation, 1829 S. 11th Ave., is now owned and operated by Victor Sierra, a Yuma native. As part of the ownership change, the business has changed its name to B&E Services.

Continuing with services from the previous owner, B&E Services offers portable toilet rentals and service, septic cleaning, NAWT home inspection and video line inspections, RV pumping and grease trap cleaning. Providing 24-hour service, B&E Services can be reached at 341-0838.

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The city of Yuma's sales tax revenue stream got a real boost from collections in January of sales in December, indicating that local retailers had a good Christmas season.

A total of $3.38 million in sales taxes were collected by the city in January. Of that, more than $2 million was in retail trade, up from $1.5 million collected in December and well above previous months in 2012.

For the fiscal year to date, the city has collected $18.8 million in sales tax revenue.

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Teresa Nunnaley, a licensed massage therapist with more than 30 years of experience, has moved to a new location. She is now at Acupuncture of Yuma, 1150 W. 24th St., Suite E.

She specializes in a variety of therapeutic and relaxing massages, body treatments and energy work. For an appointment, call 328-1975 or 580-0366.

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The Red Rose Cafe, 11274 S. Fortuna Road, Suite C1 in the Pioneer Shopping Center, is closed until further notice due to equipment failure, according to its Facebook page.

Stay tuned for better news, hopefully soon.

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Two years ago, attorney Waldo Israel retired and now he has cut one more tie to his longtime legal practice with the sale of his office building at 233 S. 2nd Ave. to Yuma Holdings LLC (Gregory T. Torok).

Suzanne Israel recalled when the couple purchased the property from the Business and Professional Women's Club and moved in after they remodeled it in 1979. “Great space, great memories,” she said.

The building is now home to First Things First, a state agency that leases the property from Torok. First Things First is funded through a tobacco tax to provide early education and services for children with special needs. For more information about First Things First, call 343-3020.

As for Waldo, his wife reports he's keeping busy with his various hobbies, including hunting, fly fishing, golfing and other activities.

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Sunkist Growers commemorated its 120th year with its third consecutive billion-dollar year in total revenue at the cooperative's annual meeting last month. Total payments to members totaled $840 million, compared with $803 million in 2011.

There are three Sunkist packinghouses in the Yuma area: Marlin Packing Company, Mission Citrus and Yuma Mesa Fruit Growers Association. Additionally, Sunkist has a number of growers in the Yuma area.

Founded in 1893, the Sunkist cooperative of family farms offers more than 35 varieties and a brand that has been trusted by for over a century. One of the changes for Sunkist in 2012 was the formation of a joint venture to improve the company's juice business. Another stride forward for Sunkist in the past year was the launch of an annual dividend program for its growers.

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