Five Local Fresh & Easy Locations Slated for Closure in Ventura County Area

Multiple news sources reported today that Fresh & Easy plans to close 50 of its stores, including 30 in Southern California, and more locally here in Ventura County, five stores.

CBS Los Angeles and ABC News indicate that stores in Newbury Park, Oak Park, Camarillo, the Oxnard store at Rose and Gonzales and the Ventura store at Telegraph and Day Roads.

See this post on the CVG Facebook page for other local resident comments.

Local area stores that were NOT slated for closure by news sources include Ventura (Seaward and Thompson), Oxnard (Channel Islands and Rose), Moorpark, Simi Valley and Santa Barbara. www.freshandeasy.com

Vom Fass Closed Its Westlake Village Location on February 21, 2014

Vom Foss Westlake Village closed its doors at 3815 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard on February 21, 2014 but owners indicate they will be opening a new location. Updates will be posted at westlakevillage.vomfassusa.com. Vom Foss opened here in 2010, offering gourmet culinary condiments, fruit vinegars, exquisite oils, exotic liqueurs & fine rare spirits.

That said, in a Facebook post on January 29th, Vom Foss noted "While we are excited about our pending relocation, we will unfortunately be moving out of the Conejo Valley."

NOTE: Subsequently. vomFOSS (that’s apparently how they spell it I’ve discovered) opened a location at 451 E. Main Street, Ventura. ventura.vomfassusa.com

Learn more about Vom Foss at vomfassusa.com.

Camarillo International Supermarket & Restaurant Recently Closed Its Doors

The Camarillo International Supermarket & Restaurant that had been located at 1775 E. Daily Drive in the Camarillo Plaza recently closed its doors. This business originally opened in 2012 in the former Lazertag Extreme facility that closed its doors in March 2012 and subsequently changed ownership and relocated to the Wood Ranch section of Simi Valley.

Sources indicate the bankrupt 74,000 sq ft Camarillo Plaza was sold to undisclosed buyers late last year. So let us see what the next occupant will be. There are several vacant spots in this plaza that is also home to the original Brendan's Pub, Presto Pasta, The Habit, Revolution Surf, Cafe India, Baja Fresh, Dougherty Laser Vision and other businesses.

The Camarillo International Supermarket website is no longer functional, the Facebook page does not exist and the phone number is shut off.

Bright Child Indoor Play Center in Oak Park Closes But is Now Called Kids World

Well this is sad news. The Bright Child indoor play center at the corner of Lindero Canyon and Kanan in Oak Park announced that it closed its doors after 10 years in operation on Monday, January 20, 2014.

However, the location is now called Kids World. Same location, different name! More info at kidsworldla.com.  Located at 618 Lindero Canyon Road. 818.338.8888

Although my kids are a bit older now, we have fond memories of visiting Bright Child over the years. Sorry to see them close, but on a brighter note, they indicate in this Facebook post that "the Oak Park venue was 10 years old and Bright Child believes it will better serve our customers to open a brand-new facility with all new equipment."

Looking for other fun indoor play options in and around Ventura County? Check this link.

Akrey's Tavern in Newbury Park Closed Its Doors Over Memorial Day Weekend

After more than 70 years in operation in Newbury Park, Akrey's Tavern on Newbury Road closed its doors over the recent Memorial Day weekend. Several friends stopped by and paid their last respects and enjoyed the final live musical tribute. Farewell, Akrey's, and a soon to be hello to the new condos that will be situated at this location.

View of what used to be Akrey's Tavern the morning of Wednesday, June 5th.

The former Akrey's Tavern.

Maddy's Market in Calabasas Closed Its Doors on Friday, March 1st

Maddy's Market at The Summit at Calabasas closed its doors on Friday, March 1st. Maddy's originally opened in November 2010. The store, at 26767 Agoura Road, Calabasas, featured local and organic produce and other healthful items. The store was named after the Maddy family, who lived on a little red house built by Leo Maddy on 5.3 acres in 1912. The land was given by the family to the City of Calabasas.

Ceramics Studio in Oxnard is New; Ceramics Studio in Camarillo is Adieu

Recently, Paintin' Place vacated its location at 330 N. Lantana in Camarillo in the Paseo Camarillo Shopping Center. Sorry to see them go. In the meantime, a new Color Me Mine Paint it Yourself Pottery location opened at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard last November. So net/net we are "even" in terms of paint-your-own-pottery places around town.

Click the image for a link to various ceramics studios in and around Ventura County.

Local "Things to Do" Businesses That Recently Have Closed Their Doors

Running a business of any type is a challenge and that certainly holds true for the "things to do" types of businesses highlighted here in Conejo Valley Guide. While most of us patronize these types of businesses...gyms, indoor play, gaming and the like....the reality is that it takes a lot of work covering the overhead and making a reasonable profit. So be sure to check them out at Do Something and Kid Fun and support them as much as you can!

That said, in recent months and years, a number of these business have sadly closed their doors:

• Newbury Park Athletic Club (August 2012)
• Knuckleheads Gym in Newbury Park
• Body Temple Gym in Camarillo
• Imagine That Indoor Play in Ventura
• NextGen Gaming in Newbury Park
• Pandora's Paintbox in Newbury Park
• RollerDome in Thousand Oaks (October 2010)
• Young Chef's Academy in Simi Valley (2012)
• Jolly Jumps Party Place in Camarillo (September 2011)
• Simply Ceramics in Thousand Oaks (2010)

 But on the positive side, a number of new business have opened in recent years:

• Ferrum Fitness in Agoura
• Rock Nation School in Newbury Park (August 2012)
• Carpino School of Dance in Thousand Oaks (Fall 2012)
• CA Kiddo Club in Agoura (December 2011)
• Gymboree Play & Music in Thousand Oaks (March 2012)
• Sky High Sports The Trampoline Place in Camarillo (October 2010)
• Cinepolis Theatre in Westlake Village (previously Mann Theatre) (Summer 2012)

These are just a few. Now go have some fun!

Mourning Tuesday Morning Thousand Oaks

Was surprised, well, not THAT surprised, when I came across this sign at what used to be Tuesday Morning at the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks. The store closed on June 30th.

Sure looks a lot brighter in there without the shelves up the ceiling!

If you're a Tuesday Morning fan, there other other stores in Camarillo, Ventura, Woodland Hills and Chatsworth.