September 5,2014
Sunday Is Last Day For Mimi’s Cafe On Mooney
Mimi’s Cafe on Mooney in the Packwood Creek Shopping Center will close this weekend for good with their last day Sunday. The French/New Orleans- styled eatery, a fixture on South Mooney since late 2003, will still have locations in Fresno and Bakersfield. SWH Corporation had operated about 145 Mimi’s casual dining spots before it was sold last year. Founded by Tom Simms and his family in 1978, SWH is owned by family-restaurant operator Bob Evans Farms. Now, Groupe Le Duff – a French restaurant conglomerate owns Mimi’s.
More Retailers For Hanford
Looks like Hanford is getting a few new retail developments. At Hwy 198 and 12th Ave where CalTrans is reconfiguring the interchange, Tractor Supply will help anchor a proposed 17 acre center there says City Manager Darrel Pyle. Also on 12th, in the long vacant former Walmart building – Pyle says Hobby Lobby will take about half the building. Also look for new hotel being planned at the SE corner of 12th and 198.
Hanford Industrial Park Could Double In Size
Hanford City Manager Darrel Pyle says the city is considering adding about 1000 acres on the south end of the existing 1100 acre Hanford Industrial Park as it plans for the future.”We have been told by the state economic development people that developers are looking for locations with 800 acres a pop” says Pyle and “over the next 25 years we need to plan for that.” He adds the logical location would be to straddle the BNSF rail line like it does now, to give more properties on both sides rail access.
Graybar Coming Back To Visalia
After leaving Visalia as a results of the great recession Graybar Electric is coming back. The firm is one of the largest distributors of electrical products in the US. The employee-owned company distributes more than 1 million electrical, communications, and data networking products through a network of around 240 distribution facilities. Graybar has leased 12,000sf ft at 1243 N Century near Plaza in a building last occupied by C&S Door who also left due to the economic downturn. Graybar will have a 2000sf office with the rest warehouse in Visalia says Mike Porte who helped broker the lease with realtor Marty Zeeb
Pixley’s Calgren Ethanol Plant To Get $3 Mil Grant To Boost Grain Sorghum Feedstock.
California Energy Commission is set to approve $3 million for Pixley’s Calgren Renewable Fuels at their next meeting to boost near plantings of low carbon grain sorghum,a substitute for corn in making ethanol.Sorghum is drought‐tolerant compared to corn. Sorghum grows to maturity in less than 4 months, permitting multiple crops per year. Sorghum is said to have 19% lower carbon intensity vs corn. Unlike corn this grain offers no conflict for the livestock and dairy industry who worry ethanol demand drives up corn prices.