Discovery Ventura Opened Last Month with Bar, Bowling, Pool, Great Food and More

DISCOVERY VENTURA CLOSED IN 2020

Last month, Discovery Ventura opened its doors at 1888 E. Thompson Boulevard, Ventura at the former home of the Ventura Bowling Center that closed its doors in December 2012.The facility has been beautifully renovated as a restaurant and lounge, accompanied by a nine-lane bowling alley, several pool tables and shuffleboards.

The boys and I stopped by Discovery Ventura this past Sunday to try out the bowling. It was just before lunchtime and the bar area was well occupied with folks socializing and enjoying Sunday morning NFL on the too-numerous-to-count flat screen TVs.

It was not crowded when we got there so we were able to quickly get situated. Bowling lanes are first come, first serve and cost $15 per hour (plus shoe rentals). As a novice that bowls perhaps twice a year, I was reminded once again that bowling shoes run large. My kids and I took 2 to 3 iterations apiece to get the best fit, but the hostess was patient with us.

The boys were able to find lighter bowling balls (6 to 8 lbs) and the hostess was able to meet our request for "bumpers" to pop up during the kids' turns as we bowled away. After my first roll I did a double take, as after 8 pins fell down, ALL of the pins were lifted up by strings. Quickly thereafter down plopped the two remaining pins. Traditionalists may not be thrilled with this more efficient "StringPin" technology but for a "boutique" non-league bowling alley like this I don't think it will be an issue with most social bowlers. See video below for a close-up of the StringPin action.

The lanes were full sized, though a bit cramped lengthwise and the little black dots used to position your starting point are pretty close to where the tables were. But we managed and had a great time. The boys were hungry and one had the Four Cheese Pizza ($10.95) and the other tried the BBQ Bacon Burger ($11.95), which came with fries. They both remarked how delicious the food was...so much so that my burger eater wouldn't even give me a sample taste. It certainly smelled good. My Caprese Salad ($9.95) was also excellent. And the family a few lanes down dining on Chicken Wings ($10.95) and Nachos ($9.95) remarked that they were both outstanding.

I asked the hostess how they would describe Discovery Ventura...is it a bowling alley, a nightclub, a restaurant, or ? There wasn't a clear answer as it is really all of the above. On its Facebook page it is described as "Simplistic and repurposing best describe the theme throughout the development of the California-lifestyle project. All are welcome to enjoy the laid-back, fun, and easy entertainment with 9 lanes of bowling, a locally-sourced restaurant with delectable California-cuisine, crafted cocktails, and the region’s largest and most fun private event facilities." Having been there, I would agree with that assessment.

Learn more at www.discoveryventura.com or call 805.856.BOWL (2695).

Nordstrom Rack Store Coming to Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks in Fall 2015

Last month, Nordstrom announced plans to open a 40,000 sq ft Nordstrom Rack at the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks in fall 2015. The 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.

This Nordstrom Rack will be about a mile away from the full-line Nordstrom store located at The Oaks shopping mall, which opened there in 2008.

Nordstrom Rack is the off-price retail division of Nordstrom, Inc., offering customers a wide selection of on-trend apparel, accessories and shoes at an everyday savings of 30 to 70 percent off regular prices. The Rack carries merchandise from Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com, as well as specially purchased items from many of the top brands sold at Nordstrom. The Rack is designed to provide the ultimate treasure hunt to style-savvy customers.

SweetXO to Open 2nd Local Area Location at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks

Update: SweetXO at The Oaks opened its doors at midnight last night, Black Friday 2013.

SweetXO® is opening a 2nd local area location and 5th location overall this Fall at The Oaks Shopping Mall. SweetXO opened its first location on April 1, 2012 in Agoura Hills. It will be located at what used to be McDonald's on the 2nd floor of the mall, across from JC Penney. The store will carry yogurt, ice cream, baked goods, candy as well as an assortment of gifts and clothing. Learn more about SweetXO at www.sweetxo.com.

We Rock The Spectrum Kid's Gym in Agoura Hills Slated to Open Soon

Update 11/14/13: We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym Agoura Hills will be opening this Saturday, November 16th, at 9am. They will be open 7 days a week, 9 am to 7pm.

Originally posted 11/7/13:

Good news for kids coming soon at 30315 Canwood Street, Agoura Hills in the space previously occupied by Jungleland and CA Kiddo Club! There's a new indoor play place coming to town called We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym.

According to the We Rock the Spectrum website, the gym provides children with a fun and motivational environment to help them with strength, movement, sensory processing, communication, behavior modification, social interactions, and self-care skills. All sensory-based swings and toys in the gym can also be purchased for home use.

Activities at We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym includes swings, crash mats and pillows, tunnels, balance beams, trampoline, indoor play structure, sensory-based toys, motor play toys and equipment, arts and crafts area and more.

The Agoura Hills location will be opening soon. Follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WeRockTheSpectrumAgouraHills and their website at www.werockthespectrumagourahills.com for updates. Take a look - there's a beautiful indoor zip line and swing structure at the facility.

Exer – More Than Urgent Care Coming to Conejo Gateway Plaza in Newbury Park

Finally, a sign (literally) of something coming to the space previously occupied by Revolution Surf at the Conejo Gateway Plaza in Newbury Park at the corner of N. Wendy Drive and Old Conejo Road! I always thought it would be a great spot for a gym, but Anytime Fitness is in process of fulfilling that vision in the same plaza.

According to its website, Exer - More Than Urgent Care offers treatment ranging from the level of your basic urgent care to just below that of a hospital ER. "Small things like scrapes and bruises can be treated at home, and life-threatening conditions like heart attacks need to be taken care of at a hospital ER. For everything in between there is Exer – More Than Urgent Care. As long as your condition or illness is non life-threatening, we can help you get the care you need quickly and conveniently but without the cost of a hospital ER. Our centers are equipped with digital x-ray, a diagnostic laboratory, splinting & laceration rooms, IV capabilities and more. We also work closely with the best local imaging centers for MRI and CAT scan imaging when you need it."

Sounds like a worthy addition to the local community! This will be only the 3rd Exer location, following Beverly Hills and Calabasas. I like the sounds of this!

Its Calabasas location at 26777 Agoura Rd, Suite 4 is open 9am to 9pm, 7 days a week.

No word on when the Newbury Park location will open, but I'm sure their website at www.exerurgentcare.com will keep you posted.

Sprinkles Cupcakes Grand Opening Date in Westlake Village is Wednesday, October 30th

Sprinkles Cupcakes announced in July that it is opening a location at The Promenade at Westlake in Westlake Village. It will be located next to the Barnes & Noble.

Recently Sprinkles provided an update via its Facebook page that Sprinkles Cupcakes Westlake Village will be open to the public beginning on Wednesday, October 30th, just in time for Halloween!

Fitness 19 to Open New Location in Newbury Park

Update 9/12/13: Soft opening is today. Grand opening is tomorrow, Friday, the 13th!

Posted 7/16/13: Fitness 19 is in process of renovating what used to be the Newbury Park Athletic Club at 161 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park. That's great news for local looking to fill the gap left when NPAC closed its doors in August 2012. No specifics on timing at this point but it appears they are targeting a Labor Day weekend opening date. They are taking pre-registrations now in person. You can also call them at 805.499.8119 or visit www.fitness19.com/centers/newbury-park.

For over 60 other gyms and fitness facilities in and around Ventura County, click THIS LINK.

New 24 Hour Fitness Super Sport to Open at The Collection at RiverPark in 2014

The Collection at RiverPark has announced that a new 24 Hour Fitness Super Sport state-of-the-art facility is scheduled to open in 2014. This 40,000 sq ft fitness center will be located along the southern entrance near REI and the new H&M that is scheduled to open this October.

The Oxnard Super Sport at RiverPark workout facility will include spacious locker rooms, a resistance equipment area, free weights, full-sized basketball court, group exercise room, a cycling room, a main gym, a cardiovascular equipment area, and a swimming pool.

24 Hour Fitness serves nearly four million members in more than 400 clubs across the U.S. Other 24 Hour Fitness location at THIS LINK.

The Collection at RiverPark is rapidly taking shape alongside Highway 101 between the Vineyard and Oxnard exits. Anchors include the recently opened Whole Foods Market, Target, a 16-screen Century Theatres and REI. Other recently opened tenants include Yard House and Gen Korean BBQ.

For more information, visit us at TheCollectionRP.com or on all social channels at TheCollectionRP.