Outback Steakhouse Thousand Oaks Appears to be Closing Its Doors This Month (June 24th)

Outback Thousand Oaks.jpg

According to no less than half a dozen sources, Outback Steakhouse Thousand Oaks, at its iconic location at 137 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, will be closing its doors later this month. The sources are correct.. After 23 years serving the Conejo Valley, Outback Steakhouse will be closing its doors on Monday, June 24th.

A CVG Instagram follower first noted the situation. I thought, no way, how do you know? Then I drove by Outbook and saw the “For Lease” sign up in front of the building.

But hey, the lease could be for another unit in the two story, 13,449 square foot building built in 1978. But the space that is currently up for lease is a 6,500 square foot, 1st floor restaurant space. That ain’t the Century 21 office (though that said, Century 21 Commercial is the listing agent).

So then I think, well maybe the landlord is listing it as a backup plan if the lease is in negotiation. That could be the case, though unlikely.

Several employees confirmed via phone and in person that indeed, they have been told that they would be closing later this month. The 24th has been the most repeated date by concerned folks on the CVG Facebook page.

Folks always ask, why are they closing? There’s all sorts of reasons businesses close and generally they are not made public - rent increases, now landlords, retiring owners or simply not making adequate profit - are all possible reasons.

If this location does close its doors, that would leave just the Oxnard location at 2341 Lockwood Street open in Ventura County. www.outback.com

Thousand Oaks Acorn Reports That Ace Hardware is Coming to the Former Orchard Supply Hardware

Former OSH. Future Ace. Thousand Oaks.

Former OSH. Future Ace. Thousand Oaks.

Well, the rumors appear to be correct. The Thousand Oaks Acorn reported tonight word from the City of Thousand Oaks that Ace Hardware has filed a business license to take over the 43,000 sq ft building formerly occupied by Orchard Supply Hardware at 1934 E. Avenida de Los Arboles.

No word on timing at this point.

Two weeks ago someone asked what was going into the old OSH. I had referenced Ace Hardware based on input from another CVG follower. This confirms it! Stay tuned! www.acehardware.com

Currying Flavors Now Open at The Shops at Oak Creek in Agoura Hills

UPDATE: Currying Flavors now open as of August 26, 2019.

CurryingFlavors 5.31.19.JPG

Currying Flavors is coming soon to The Shops at Oak Creek at 29125 Canwood Street, Agoura Hills (former home of Fire Island Grill and Freebirds World Burrito). Currying Flavors indicates it will be introducing a fresh new concept in fast casual Indian cuisine - combining authentic flavors with modern style, and customizability with simplicity.

No functional website at this time but perhaps follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/curryingflavors1/ .

NOTE: Previously, we had noted that Currying Flavors appeared to be opening a location at The Summit at Calabasas. This no longer appears to be the case.

OR Authentic Thai Cuisine (formerly White Elephant Thai Cuisine) Now Open at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks

UPDATE: O-R Authentic Thai Cuisine opened in November. Learn more at www.orauthenticthaicuisine.com.

OR Thai.jpg
White Elephant 5.30.19.jpg

OR Authentic Thai Cuisine (formerly White Elephant Thai Cuisine) is under construction in The Oaks mall, across from Forever 21 and near the Starbucks in the space formerly occupied by Deliteful Low Carb Restaurant and prior to that, Johnny Rockets.

UPDATE: On June 25th, The Oaks indicated a Q3 opening date.

The Original Pizza Cookery Announced Today That June 3rd Will Be Its Debut in Thousand Oaks

The new The Original Pizza Cookery Italian Restaurant & Bar sign, adorned by fresh bags of brown mulch delivered by Lowe’s.

The new The Original Pizza Cookery Italian Restaurant & Bar sign, adorned by fresh bags of brown mulch delivered by Lowe’s.

The Original Pizza Cookery, which on March 21st announced it would be leaving its home of 45 years in Woodland Hills for Thousand Oaks, noted on its Facebook page this afternoon that June 3rd is its official grand opening date. Doors will open at 11 am.

They also indicated there will be a delay in its liquor license to July, so no beer for you with that pizza, garlic rolls and Italian favorites until then. And breakfast will be available starting sometime in July also.

Location: 75 W. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, at the Best Western Plus Thousand Oaks Inn.

Sapientia Coffee Roasters Opening Soon in Oak Park

UPDATE: Opened on Monday, June 24th.

Sapienta.jpg

The former Green & Bean in the Oak Park Plaza (northeast corner of Lindero Canyon and Kanan Roads) will soon be reopening as Sapientia Coffee Roasters. Although the sign on the window indicates April 2019, I’m told that the latest target date is mid to late June.

Sapientia will serve up fresh-roasted coffee, single origin expresso-based coffee drinks, teas, fresh juices, pastries and more.

Stay tuned!

Thanks to Amelia S. once again for the heads up.

County of Ventura Food Facility Closures in April 2019

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 vcrma.org/food-facilities-closure-report-inspector-initiated.

The following facility closures (exclusive of mobile facilities) were noted in April 2019. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

Cagami Ramen, 1855 Daily Drive #B, Camarillo;
Permit suspension as a result of failing to comply with the Notice of Decision and Order issued on 04/29/2019 to address ongoing facility/equipment maintenance and sanitation violations and to protect the public from potential adverse health impacts;
Date closed - 04/30/19; Date reopened - 05/01/19

Red Hot Foods, 820 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula;
Rodent infestation and unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 04/29/19; Date reopened - 05/01/19

Panera Bread, 205 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks;
No utensil washing facilities available;
Date closed - 04/25/19; Date reopened - 04/30/19

El Tapatio, 663 S. Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard;
Unable to perform necessary inspections/unable to determine compliance with the Health and Safety Code due to no access to the food facility provided;
Inspection conducted on 4/26/2019 and observed inoperable plumbing (no hot water available for utensil washing/cleaning, or warm water for hand washing) and unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 04/23/19; No reopen date

New China Wok Express, 610 W. Ventura Street, Fillmore;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 04/22/19; Date reopened - 04/23/19

Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt, 2306 Las Posas Road, Camarillo;
No warm water available for adequate hand washing and no hot water available for utensil washing;
Date closed - 04/16/19; Date reopened - 04/17/19

Little Caesar's #5953, 67 W. Main Street, Ventura;
Sewage overflowing inside the facility, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 04/16/19; Date reopened - 04/17/19

Baskin Robbins, 1413 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura;
Sewage overflowing inside the facility, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 04/16/19; Date reopened - 04/16/19

Cajun Kitchen Cafe, 301 E. Main Street, Ventura;
Inoperable hand washing sink in the food preparation area;
Date closed - 04/16/19; Date reopened - 04/16/19

Kreasian Kitchen, 3068 Cochran Street, Simi Valley;
No hot water available for utensil washing/cleaning, or warm water for hand washing;
Date closed - 04/05/19; Date reopened - 04/06/19

Arco Iris #1, 610 S. Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard;
Unsanitary conditions, repeated violations and poor food handling to the level of posing an immediate health risk;
Date closed - 04/04/19; Date reopened - 04/05/19

Cold Stone Creamery, 215 N. Moorpark Road, #A, Thousand Oaks;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 04/04/19; Date reopened - 04/05/19

North Ranch Country Club Tennis Club Bar, 4761 Valley Spring Drive, Thousand Oaks;
No valid Permit to Operate, no plans submitted;
Date closed - 04/03/19; No reopen date

Ventura Crab and Spice, 4732 Telephone Road, Unit 5B, Ventura;
Inoperable hand washing sink;
Date closed - 04/02/19; Date reopened - 04/02/19

Pedals & Pints Brewing Company Coming to The Oaks Mall in Early 2020 (Opening March 17th)

UPDATE: Pedals & Pints announced it will be opening on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th at 11am.

PedalsPints1.JPG

Amelia S once again gave us a heads up that something new is coming to The Oaks mall this Fall in the former home of Red Lobster in the east parking lot between The Olive Garden and Bank of America.

Pedals & Pints Brewing Company is a bicycle themed 10bbl brew pub, according to its Instagram page.

Stay tuned! Sign up for email updates at www.pedalsandpintsbrewing.com.

PedalsPints2.JPG