Grand Opening of Gelson's Thousand Oaks Planned for Friday, September 22nd

The former Albertson's and short-lived Haggen Grocery store at the Oakbrook Plaza, at 1736 E. Avenida De Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks is in its final stages of transformation into Gelson's. Planned grand opening data is Friday, September 22, 2017.

There will be a ribbon cutting at 9 am and the first 50 customers will receive a gift bag valued at $20. The first 25 customers to purchase items the next six days will also receive $20 gift bags.

According to Gelson's:

The Gelson’s Thousand Oaks store features an emphasis on fresh, great-tasting food across a broad spectrum, including grass-fed beef, organic and non-GMO items, local products, and vegan, vegetarian and raw food options. The full-service deli will offer signature creations along with healthful and delicious salads from Gelson’s Registered Dietitian, for the benefit of Thousand Oaks residents, employees and visitors alike. Gelson’s Thousand Oaks will include a carving station (selected hours), gourmet cheese section, olive cart, soup and salad bar, hot food bar, fresh sushi and poke bar, kosher foods and bakery, along with a coffee bar, dining area, floral department, custom and ready-made gift baskets, and free gift wrapping. In addition, Gelson’s is excited to bring an in-store pharmacy department to the Thousand Oaks community.

Learn more at gelsons.com.

Gelson's bought this former Haggen location nearly two years ago.

Tuesday Morning is Returning to Thousand Oaks in the Conejo Valley Plaza

No word yet on timing but Tuesday Morning looks to be "coming soon" to the Conejo Valley Plaza, in the space next to the Marshalls store (formerly Sport Chalet space).

This is going to make some people happy who enjoyed shopping at the small Tuesday Morning store at Janss Marketplace until it closed on June 30, 2012.

Did you know...Tuesday Morning Corporation is a publicly-traded company listed on NASDAQ under symbol TUES. Tuesday Morning "is a leading off-price retailer specializing in selling deeply-discounted, upscale decorative home accessories, housewares, seasonal goods and famous-maker gifts."  Based in Dallas, Texas, the Company opened its first store in 1974 and currently operates over 720 stores in 40 states.  More information and a list of store locations at www.tuesdaymorning.com.

The Sandwich Spot To Open Newbury Park Location in October 2017

UPDATE 2/5/18: Now open!

Well this is good news! The spot formerly occupied by Subway in the Newbury Square Shopping Center, near Smart & Final Extra! at 2110-C Newbury Road will soon be the home of The Sandwich Spot. Anticipated grand opening date is in October. 

The Sandwich Spot's Simi Valley location at 3060 Cochran Street has earned a very solid 4 1/2 star Yelp rating based on over 350 reviews.

The Sandwich Spot bakes fresh breads from the world famous Boudin Bakery in San Francisco in their stores daily.  Offering 24 "Signature" sandwiches as well as basic sandwiches with a variety of meats.

Learn more at www.thesandwichspot.com and stay tuned for the official grand opening date (or let us know if you hear).

Shout out to Steve C. for the heads up!

Niroj Kurdish Cuisine in Agoura Hills Closed Its Doors on July 31st

A friend who was enjoying a meal at Cafe Bizou in Agoura Hills informed me that Niroj Kurdish Cuisine in the Reyes Adobe Plaza, 30313 Canwood Street, has closed its doors. A visit to its website and Facebook page confirmed that Niroj served its last kebab on Sunday, July 31st. Niroj opened here in early 2013.

A Thai restaurant will be coming to this space.

Azi Grill to Open at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks on Wednesday, August 16th (Closed in 2020)

Azi Grill closed its doors in 2020.

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Janss Marketplace is proud to announce the opening of Azi Grill on Wednesday, August 16 at the shopping center, located off the Moorpark exit on the 101 Freeway at the intersection of Moorpark Road and Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks. 

The newest restaurant at Janss Marketplace will feature authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Owner Mazen Nadour has been in the culinary world since he was a young man working for his father in Homs, Syria.  His culinary ancestry comes from a long line of chefs dating back to his great-great-grandfather.  The menu at Azi Grill features family recipes passed down from generation to generation. 

Nadour owned some of the best shawarma and falafel restaurants in Syria before the war forced his family to leave the country.  After arriving in the United States, he worked at the Santa Cruz Market and Beverage Company in Ventura where he learned to speak English and to prepare classic American food.

The new Azi Grill will feature healthy, delicious food including shawarma, falafel, and kabob, served with Nadour’s signature hummus and salad.  Azi Grill will also offer some American items as options to the international cuisine.  

In celebration of the restaurant Grand Opening, the first 100 diners will receive a FREE menu item.  Guests will also have the opportunity to win prizes: 

• Like the Azi Grill Facebook page @azigrill for auto entry into a contest for the chance to win two airline tickets to fly anywhere in the United States. The Winner will be announced on the restaurant Facebook page on September 18.

• Post a picture on the Azi Grill Facebook page enjoying a delicious meal at Azi Grill for auto entry for the opportunity to win a FREE menu item. Weekly winners, selected from September 18 – October 31, will be announced on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

For information contact Azi Grill at 805 370-1470.  The website is www.azigrill.com.

NewMark Merrill Companies

Azi Grill is the newest restaurant at Janss Marketplace, part of the NewMark Merrill Companies LLC owned or managed portfolio of over 80 shopping centers. Since 1984 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sandy Sigal has led NewMark Merrill in a community leadership role at the company’s shopping centers in more than 45 cities throughout California, Colorado and Illinois.  For more information, visit www.newmarkmerrill.com.  For more information about Janss Marketplace and NewMark Merrill Companies, contact Heather Danko, Senior Marketing Manager, at hdanko@newmarkmerrill.com or at 818.710.6100.

County of Ventura Food Facility Closures in July 2017

The County of Ventura Environmental Health Division (EHD) protects public health and the environment by ensuring conformance with State laws and County ordinances pertaining to food protection, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, individual sewage disposal systems, land use, medical waste, ocean water quality monitoring, recreational health, solid waste, underground fuel tanks and vector control.

The EHD publishes food facility closures at www.ventura.org/rma/envhealth/community-services/consumer-food/closures.html.

The following facility closures (exclusive of mobile facilities) were noted in July 2017. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

Little Caesar's #5847, 1450 W. Doris Ave., Oxnard;

Inoperable plumbing resulting in sewage backing up inside the facility and inoperable sinks;

Date closed - 07/31/17; Date reopened - 07/31/17

Cho Cho San, 400 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks;
Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions:
Date closed - 07/25/17; Date reopened - 07/26/17

Disgustingly Delicious Coffee House, 252 W. Los Angeles Ave., Moorpark;

No hot water available for handwashing and utensil washing;

Date closed - 07/24/17; Date reopened - 07/28/17

Lalo's Fast Food, 1580 N. Ventura Avenue, Ventura;

Fly infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 07/17/17; Date reopened - 07/18/17

El Huarache de Mexico, 1486 E. Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley;

Inoperable plumbing resulting in sewage backing up inside the facility and inoperable sinks;

Date closed - 07/17/17; No reopen date

Subway, 51 W. Main Street, Ventura;

Inoperable hand washing sink in the food prearation area;

Date closed - 07/17/17: Date reopened - 07/17/17

Panaderia La Mexicana, 515 Colonia Road, Oxnard;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 07/13/17; Date reopened- 07/14/17

Szechuwan Garden, 1407 E. Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 07/12/17; Date reopened - 07/13/17

Gourmet Oriental, 67 W. Main Street, Unit C, Ventura;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 07/10/17; Date reopened - 07/11/17

Little Caesar's #5953, 67 W. Main Street, Unit A, Ventura;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 07/10/17; Date reopened - 07/17/17

Tacos Mi Pueblo, 2851 Rose Avenue, Oxnard;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 07/06/17; Date reopened - 07/07/17

Cold Stone Creamery, 215 N. Moorpark Road, #A, Thousand Oaks;

Sewage overflowing within the facility, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 07/05/17; Date reopened - 07/07/17

Cisco's, 925 S. Westlake Blvd., Westkake;

Bar area only: sewage overflow, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 07/3/17; Date reopened - 07/06/17

CSU Channel Islands to Become Completely Smoke and Tobacco-Free on August 23rd

Beginning on Aug. 23, 2017, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will be completely smoke and tobacco-free. CSUCI is taking this step to comply with an executive order from the CSU Chancellor’s Office declaring that all CSU campuses must be smoke and tobacco-free.

The Smoke & Tobacco-Free policy prohibits smoking, the use or sale of all tobacco products, e-cigarettes and vapor devices. Ashtrays on campus will be removed and signage will be changed to reflect CSUCI’s new policy.

“We never established formal smoking zones, but they cropped up over time,” said Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Cindy Derrico. “Now we are going to place signs outside of buildings to indicate that smoking is not allowed.”

The following smoke-emitting products will not be allowed: cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, hookahs, vapor devices, e-cigarettes or any other vapor devices. Marijuana has never been allowed.

Also not allowed are tobacco and/or nicotine in any form whether smoked, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed or ingested by any means. FDA approved tobacco cessation products are exempt.

The Smoke & Tobacco-Free policy pertains to University-owned undeveloped or leased property, including parking lots, private vehicles on University owned, undeveloped or leased property and in any vehicle owned, leased or rented by the University.

The CSU-wide policy is pursuant to CSU Executive Order 1108. To read the order, visit www.calstate.edu/eo/EO-1108.html.

Derrico doesn’t foresee any problems, adding that enforcement of the ban will be up to the community.

“We are expecting people on the campus will honor this request if people forget or are unaware of the ban,” Derrico said. “We would like people within the campus community to politely request that people not smoke. The only time we would engage in strict enforcement or conduct referral would be if people were unresponsive to the request or behaved in an aggressive or inappropriate manner.”

Smoking cessation products for students will be available at the Student Health Center. Employees seeking help to quit tobacco and nicotine products can view employee benefits at: www.csuci.edu/hr/benefits/health-dental.htm.

For more information on the new mandate, visit the University’s Smoke & Tobacco-Free website at: www.csuci.edu/legal/smoke-free.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CSUCI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CSUCI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CSUCI’s Social Media.

Deliteful Low Carb Restaurant at The Oaks Mall Thousand Oaks Has Closed Its Doors

Deliteful Low Carb Restaurant and Bar opened to the public on May 23, 2016 but recently closed its doors in late July 2017. This was confirmed by the voice message on the restaurant phone line, not to mention removal of the eatery's Facebook and Instagram pages and elimination from the The Oaks Mall directory.