Lowe's to Close All Orchard Supply Hardware Stores By the End of 2018

Today, Lowe's Companies, which acquired the Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH) chain in 2013, announced plans to close all 99 OSH stores by the end of fiscal 2018.

The stores are located in California, Oregon and Florida, including our local Conejo Valley store in the Oakbrook Plaza, 1934 E. Avenida de los Arboles, Thousand Oaks.

According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification ("WARN") Act letter from Lowe's to Thousand Oaks Mayor Andy Fox and the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, the Thousand Oaks OSH will be closed "at the conclusion of business needs, but will not be prior to October 20, 2018." A total of 57 employees will be impacted.

“While it was a necessary business decision to exit Orchard Supply Hardware, decisions that impact our people are never easy. We will be providing outplacement services for impacted associates, and they will be given priority status if they choose to apply for other Lowe’s positions."

Liquidation sales will begin on Thursday. www.osh.com

Lowe's of course is in process of building a Newbury Park location, with an anticipated opening date in early 2019.

Pieology Locations in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Woodland Hills Have Closed

Mary M and several others gave us the heads up that Pieology locations in Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village, not to mention Woodland Hills, have closed. No word on what is coming next to these locations at this point.

Pieology Thousand Oaks originally opened in August 2013, so it had a five year run here in the Conejo Valley. As I recall, this was this first of many new "make your own" quick serve pizza places that have popped up in the Conejo Valley over the last five years, including PizzaRev, Mod Pizza, Pitfire Pizzeria, Blaze Pizza and others. Previously at this location at 593 N. Moorpark Road were Fit2BeThai and Olga's Kitchen (I happened to love that place!). 

The Westlake Village Pieology opened its doors in February 2015.

Sign taped to front door of Pieology Thousand Oaks (photo credit Mary M.)

Something else apparently is coming in, however! (Sign at Thousand Oaks location.)

Go Greek Yogurteria Coming Soon to Former Paciugo Gelato Location in Thousand Oaks

UPDATE: Now open in June 2018.

Paciugo Gelato closed its doors earlier this year at The Oaks Mall. Opening soon at this location, across from Dick's Sporting Goods in the outdoor shops section of the mall, is Go Greek Yogurteria.

Go Greek's menu includes Fresco (fresh Greek yogurt creations), Kyro (self-serve Greek frozen yogurt), Parfaits and coffee.

They are currently hiring at gogreekyogurtcareers.com.

Learn more at www.gogreekyogurt.com.

Walmart to Close Store on Cochran Street in Simi Valley on May 18, 2018

Walmart issued a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) Act notice and informed its employees on March 30th that it will be closing its store #5685 located at 2801 Cochran Street in Simi Valley on May 18, 2018. All 130 employees at this store will be terminated effective June 8th but will have the opportunity to apply for open positions at other Walmart or Sam's Club locations.

Miller Family YMCA Building in Newbury Park Sold; Will Become New Home to Local Church

Today the Thousand Oaks Acorn announced that the Miller Family YMCA in Newbury Park will be closing its doors at the end of 2017 after years of incurring financial losses. Earlier this year, a Texas based non-profit purchased the 2.4 acre property as the future home for the local Godspeak Calvary Chapel. Read more at THIS LINK.

According to a letter sent to its members (courtesy of Huggins Homes Real Estate via Instagram), the Miller Y made the difficult decision to close after a year of analysis and incurring an average operating loss of $100,000 annually for 10 years. Members will be able to transfer memberships to either the Conejo Valley or Simi Valley YMCAs effective January 1, 2018.

Staples Newbury Park to Close Its Doors on September 16, 2017

The Staples store in Newbury Park (between Home Depot and Target) is closing its doors on September 16, 2017. The nearest Staples stores to this one are in Camarillo, Westlake Village and Oxnard. www.staples.com

Apple Store at Simi Valley Town Center to Close Its Doors on Friday, September 15th

The Apple Store at the Simi Valley Town Center, which has been in operation for 10 years, has announced that it will be closing its doors at the close of business on Friday, September 15th.

As a result, Ventura County will be back down to one Apple store. The Apple Store at The Oaks Mall was expanded and remodeled in 2016.

The Apple Store at the Topanga Plaza in Canoga Park has been closed for renovations and will re-open on Saturday, September 16th at 10am according to Apple at www.apple.com/retail/topanga.

Bay Club Thousand Oaks to End Operations on September 20, 2017 (Update: Club Will Be Taken Over By New Operator)

Update 8/22/17: The San Fernando Valley Business Journal reports that the Bay Club has been acquired by a local sports and fitness franchisee. No word yet on the name of the new club.

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook follower Melissa passed us the word that the Bay Club Thousand Oaks announced it will be ending operations on September 20, 2017 to prepare to vacate the premises when its lease ends on September 30th. 

Bay Club acquired Spectrum Athletic Club in April 2015. The two clubs have operated in the Conejo Valley for the last 18 years.

GYMS AND FITNESS FACILITIES THROUGHOUT VENTURA COUNTY