December 1,2015-
Visalia Mall Snags Blaze Pizza
Visalia Mall has leased the 4,000 SF restaurant building (formerly Isla Tequila Bar) on Mooney Blvd to Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, the nation’s leading build-your-own pizza chain. The fast-casual concept, known for its chef-driven menu and casually hip restaurants. The anticipated opening of the restaurant is planned for May 1, 2016. The company promises a pizza, under $8, ready to eat in just 180 seconds.The building located on an out-pad in front of the mall has been vacant since 2011.
The eatery also opened this year in Tulare and now seeks a beer and wine license at their restaurant at 1403 Hillman. The city planning commission will take up the application December 14.
Woodlake Contractor Preserves Long Standing Business
Woodlake contractor Oral Micham has bought the Woodlake Hardware building from the family who pioneered the business since 1917. Micham will continue to run the business in the same brick building that has been a landmark in the community for almost 100 years. Founded by the Bennett family who still ran the operation until October 31,the contractor company’s vice president Steve Tindle says Micham purchased the property and business November 2. He says Micham plans to make minor improvements to the building. Micham is a commercial contractor but also is in the lumber business in Tulare and will now offer lumber sales and service at the Woodlake location. The business is a True Value store.
Porterville Recirculates Riverwalk EIR Again
The Porterville Walmart project – Riverwalk – continues to be stalled now some 6 years after it sought city approvals. After a legal wrangle, Riverwalk was approved in 2013 by the Tulare County Superior Court Now, after litigants won on appeal the city has to go back to re-issue a part of the EIR over air emissions with plans to certify the changes in January. The matter will return to the Court of Appeals after that. If approved by them a 161,000sf Walmart and the rest of the center will finally be built in town. Visalia has been going through a similar appeal process over a Walmart expansion to sell groceries. Grocery industry opponents are fueling the appeals.
Best Buy Dinuba Hires For Holidays / Makes New Agreement With City
The Best Buy Distribution Center in Dinuba is hiring 600 seasonal workers right now to prepare for the holiday rush. The center in Dinuba is Best Buy’s largest distribution center. Some 76,000 packages will leave the Best Buy building every day during the two months of peak sales. The positions pay between $10 and $15 per hour.
In a related matter the City of Dinuba and Best Buy will extend an agreement to pay the city at least $1.9 million yearly from Best Buy internet revenue generated a the Dinuba warehouse.The agreement begins January 1 and will be heard by the Dinuba City Council December 8.Like most retailers Best Buys internet sales at BestBuy.com continue to rise faster than their brick and mortar sales.