Explorers' Emporium in Simi Valley May Be the Most Unique Store in Ventura County

Update 11/3/17: Owners announced via Facebook that they will be moving out of state 1/1/18 but that their online store will remain open.

Explorers' Emporium may well be the most unique store in Ventura County. 

A friend from Simi Valley has a son who has an interest in fossils. He received a good deal of help on his project at the store and told me I had to check it out.

I stopped by and it took me awhile to take it all in. Explorers' Emporium is a small store yet carries a jaw-dropping, eclectic assortment of items geared towards creative types.

An entire section of the store contains replicas of dinosaur teeth and other items like shark teeth. There is a huge assortment of archery supplies, Dungeons & Dragons gaming, crafts, steampunk, Renaissance Faire costumes, science projects, board games and much more.

There's an entire display of dinosaur replica items, like teeth and claws available for purchase for both educational and hobby/collecting use. I on the other hand couldn't help but purchase these Tyrannosaurus rex teeth for a few hard to shop for friends.

Located in the Stone Gate Shopping Center at 5766 E. Los Angeles Avenue (at Yosemite) in the east end of Simi Valley. Explorers' Emporium opened this past summer but its owners have been providing creative, science and learning programs to the local community for over 25 years.

Emplorers' Emporium offers a variety of programs, both on-site and at local schools and organizations, including fossil/dinosaur programs, archaic man programs, Dungeon and Dragons encounters, science/nature workshops, Magic: the Gathering sessions, Tandy leather classes, miniature/figurine painting, music, gaming and more. Visit www.explorersemporium.com/programs.php for details.

Learn more at explorersemporium.com or call 805.791.3002.

Renaissance Fair and Steampunk garb available for purchase at Explorers' Emporium

Haggen Files Motions to Sell 8 Stores to Gelson's and 28 Stores to Smart & Final

Today the T.O. Acorn broke the news that Gelson's and Smart & Final are looking at buying vacated Haggen grocery stores in the Conejo Valley.

In a press release today from Haggen, they announced that motions have been filed with bankruptcy court to present bidding procedures for stores that are closing and to receive approval for two "stalking horse" asset purchase agreements. 

The Gelson's Markets asset purchase agreement is for 8 stores, including Thousand Oaks (Avenida De Los Arboles) locally as well as Carlsbad, Del Mar, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, La Jolla, Rancho Mirage and Santa Monica.

The Smart & Final LLC asset purchase agreement is for 28 stores, including Newbury Park, Simi Valley (Los Angeles Avenue), Ventura (Telegraph Road) and Westlake Village (Lindero Canyon Rd) as well as stores in Atascadero, Carlsbad, Carpinteria, Chino Hills, Chula Vista, Corona Del Mar, Coronado, El Cajon (2), La Mesa, Palmdale, Paso Robles, Redondo Beach, San Diego (2), San Luis Obispo, San Pedro, San Ysidro, Santa Barbara, Santee, Torrance, Trabuco Canyon, Yorba Linda and Las Vegas.

These agreements are subject to bankruptcy court approval. 

Also, according to a Gelson's press release today, "The bid is subject to higher and better offers at an auction currently scheduled for the beginning of November. Should our bid prove successful, it will be a benefit for thousands of shoppers who value quality products and exceptional service. Furthermore, we would welcome the opportunity to have Haggen store employees join the Gelson’s family, and foresee growth opportunities for our associates.”

The Smart & Final press release issued today gives more detailed information, perhaps because it is a publicly traded company (Stock Symbol: SFS). They indicate the agreement to acquire 28 store leases and related assets is for a cash price of $56 million, subject to certain adjustments.  As a "Stalking Horse Bidder" in advance of a proposed auction next month, it is possible that higher bids be made and approved by other bidders.

Smart & Final indicates if the deal does close, the conversion process will start this fiscal quarter and will be completed by the end of of June 2016. The stores will be converted to its Smart & Final Extra! store format. Smart & Final currently operates 270 grocery and foodservice stores in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada and Idaho, as well as 16 stores in northern Mexico through a joint venture.

Ragsdale Kitchen & Bar to Open This Spring in Downtown Ventura

Update 10/3/15: Well, the Spring opening didn't happen, nor did summer, but apparently they are on the cusp of opening any day now...ok it appears they opened in November! www.facebook.com/RagdaleVentura

Posted 4/10/15: Ragsdale Kitchen & Bar will be opening this Spring at 692 E. Main St., Ventura (formerly Chicago's Ribs, which closed last year). According to its Facebook page, Ragsdale will serve food with American/Fusion influences for lunch and dinner. www.ragsdalekitchenandbar.com

According to a Craiglist employment ad, Ragsdale's "sister restaurant" is the Midtown Cafe www.midtowncafeventura.com.

History Repeats Itself as Nordstrom Rack Premieres Today at Janss Marketplace

I didn't do a count, but there were easily hundreds and hundreds of folks on hand today for the grand opening of the new Nordstrom Rack at Janss Marketplace, in a space on Hillcrest Drive previously occupied by Sears (which now occupies less space). It was pretty crazy, yet casual, as locals enjoyed special treats, music, raffle and a first look at this new store, barely a half mile walk from the Nordstrom store at The Oaks mall across the street.

Funny how history repeats itself. Fifty five (yes 55) years ago, the headline of a Thousand Oaks Journal news story on Wednesday, November 16, 1960 was "THRIFTY DRUG OPENS NEW 1000 OAKS STORE THURSDAY" and further noted "Giant Throng Expected at Ventura Blvd & Moorpark Rd For Thurs. Grand Opening."  Ventura Blvd is now Thousand Oaks Blvd, the Conejo Village Shopping Center is now Janss Marketplace, and Thrifty Drug Store became Rite Aid many years ago, but that store is still there!

Image courtesy of Thousand Oaks Library Special Collections

Lots of excitement about that new Thrifty store apparently because they awarded Blue Chip Stamps on over 20,000 items!! I'm dating myself by remembering Blue Chip Stamps, a customer loyalty program that went by the wayside in the 1980s. Warren Buffett's company, Berkshire Hathaway, acquired Blue Chip Stamps as a company in the 1970s. Sales were $126 million in 1970 but dropped to pretty much nothing by the 1990s.

The Oaks Mall Announces Three New Eateries Coming in Summer 2016 - Pizza Rev, Urban Plates and Chipotle

In addition to the previously mentioned De-Lite-Ful Low Carb Restaurant coming to The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks sometime early next year, there are three additional eateries coming to the The Oaks towards to the summer of 2016. 

PizzaRev is a "build your own" fast-casual pizza place with other local locations in Camarillo, Oxnard and Woodland Hills. 

Chipotle...well, I'm pretty sure you already now about Chipotle Mexican Grill, with other local locations in Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Oxnard, Ventura and Malibu.

Urban Plates - This is a restaurant with locations in San Diego, Irvine, Dublin, and soon, Playa Vista, serving "made from scratch" salads, entrees, braises and stews and sandwiches. "Farm to plate and won't break the bank" is what they say at www.urbanplates.com.

These eateries are planned as part of the new construction that is planned west of Lazy Dog Cafe.

Updates at www.shoptheoaksmall.com.

Nordstrom Rack at the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks to Open This Fall

Back in December 2013, Nordstrom announced plans to open a 40,000 sq ft Nordstrom Rack, 145 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks at the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks in fall 2015.

The store will be opening on Thursday, October 1, 2015. They will be having a grand opening event at 8am with gift card giveaways, breakfast, music, treats and more. Store will be opening at 9am.

Regular weekday hours are 10am to 9pm.

This two-story store will occupy a portion of the existing Sears location, while Sears will continue occupying an anchor position on the primary floor of the existing store.  

Get updates at shop.nordstrom.com/st/nordstrom-rack-janss-marketplace.

2015 Fit 4 The Cause Miracle of Movement Gala on September 19th Was a Smashing Success

Fit 4 The Cause, a local non-profit that combines social media-fueled flash mobs with fitness education and philanthropic giving, received its 501(c)(3) status a year ago just 90 days after filing with the IRS. 

Founded by PR expert and ACE certified Fitness Pro Cindy Rakowitz, Fit 4 The Cause continued pushing the limits over the last 12 months, culminating in a packed house at the its inaugural Miracle of Movement Gala at the Sheraton Agoura Hills.

Cindy Rakowitz along with "The Duo" - Honoree Sourena Vasseghi and Chris Stevenson

What a great event!  Led by Fox Sport Radio talk show host Tomm Looney, this gala was entertaining and inspirational.

The theme of the night was "Smashing Obstacles." Honorees celebrated for smashing personal obstacles were Lisa Roub, who received the 2015 Advocacy Award and Sourena Vasseghi, recipient of the 2015 Inspiration Award.

Roub learned in April 2014 that she had breast cancer at the age of 40. After much research she opted to have a bilateral mastectomy. After the surgery, she was told that the cancer spread to her lymph nodes and would necessitate four rounds of chemotherapy. The thought of losing her hair was now a concern. But she discovered a new treatment, Penguin Cold Caps, that prevents hair loss by freezing the scalp to 40 degrees below zero on chemo days, protecting the follicles and minimizing hair loss. Roub has been cancer-free for nearly a year. She was honored for sharing her experiences with others in need of support and advice. 

Miracle of Movement Gala Honorees, Sourena Vasseghi and Lisa Roub

Vasseghi is an award-winning author and inspirational speaker who suffers from severe cerebral palsy. Although he has limited motor skills and a significant speech impediment, he is an award-winning author and inspirational speaker. But since he can't really speak to an audience, he has partnered with "interpreter" Chris Stevenson of Stevenson Fitness in Oak Park. The duo had us both laughing and crying as they took us through some of the challenges Vasseghi faces in life and how we all can learn from them. Vasseghi is an Agoura Hills resident and is married with two kids. You have to meet this guy. Learn more at sourenav.com.

We also enjoyed a conversation with NFL linebacker Brady Poppinga at the Gala. Poppinga shared thoughts on commitment and returning from injury over the course of his career. After playing at BYU, he was drafted in 2005 by the Green Bay Packers, where he played six years, then the St. Louis Rams and Dallas Cowboys. 

Two thumbs up to all of the great sponsors for this event that made it happen, with a shout-out to Champion Level sponsors Edison International, Humana/Brian Sullivan and the Law Offices of Friedman & Bartoumian.

The team from Champion Level sponsor, Law Offices of Friedman & Bartoumian 

Haggen Announced Today That it Is Exiting the Pacific Southwest Market and is Closing 101 More Stores

Haggen today announced its plan to exit from the Pacific Southwest market and realign its operations around 37 core stores and one stand-alone pharmacy in the Pacific Northwest as part of the Chapter 11 process (Haggen filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on September 8th).

This will impact 101 stores, including all 5 stores in Arizona, all 7 stores in Nevada, all 68 remaining California stores and 21 stores in Washington and Oregon.

Impacted local stores include:

• Ventura (7800 Telegraph Road - former Albertsons)
• Oxnard (920 N. Ventura Road - former Albertsons)
• Westlake Village (5770 Lindero Canyon Road - former Albertsons)
• Thousand Oaks (1736 E. Avenida de los Arboles - former Albertsons)
• Camarillo (2400 Las Posas Road - former Albertsons)

Previously announced closures in process:

• Newbury Park (2100 Newbury Road - former Vons)
• Simi Valley (2800 Cochran - former Albertsons)
• Simi Valley (5135 Los Angeles Avenue - former Albertsons)

My how things change...a year ago, Haggen owned 18 stores in Washington and Oregon. Then acquired 146 Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions stores in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington (83 in California). In August Haggen announced it was closing 27 stores, including 3 in Ventura County.

Haggen indicated it is asking the bankruptcy court for approval to conduct store closing sales. All employees of these stores will receive 60 days notice of the closures and will continue to receive pay and benefits over this period, as approved by the court.

Haggen is supportive of employees securing work elsewhere and is continuing to work with Albertson’s in its request for the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to waive the restriction in the FTC Order which restricts the hiring of Haggen employees. Because this is a modification of an order entered by the FTC, the waiver will require Commission approval, which the FTC staff is seeking to obtain on an expedited basis.

On a personal note, this may be the most unbelievably quick crash and burn business acquisition that I've ever seen.

Hook Burger to Open Up Simi Valley Location This Summer (Closed April 2019)

HOOK BURGER SIMI VALLEY CLOSED ITS DOORS IN APRIL 2019. Soon thereafter, Funburger opened in its place.

Update 9/25/15: Hook Burger Simi Valley in the Walmart Center at 2490 Sycamore Drive will be opening tomorrow with a great fundraising event for Make-a-Wish Tri-Counties! On Friday/Saturday, September 25-26 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., donate to Make-A-Wish and get a free combo meal!! www.facebook.com/hookburger

Posted 5/9/15: Hook Burger is opening up a new location this summer at 2490 Sycamore Drive in Simi Valley, joining other local locations in Westlake Village (opened last October) and Oxnard. Hook Burger serves up a variety of burgers and sandwiches, like the Seared Tuna Sandwich (fresh seared albacore, homemade Asian slaw, wasabi tartar on toasted brioche bun). I stopped by their Westlake Village location and enjoyed the veggie burger as well as some might tasty onion rings. Learn more at hookburger.com.