Corner Bakery at The Commons at Calabasas Has Closed Its Doors

Corner Bakery, after a long run at The Commons at Calabasas, has closed its doors. The Thousand Oaks location at 111 S. Westlake Boulevard is still open. cornerbakerycafe.com

Two Doughs Pizza Co is Now Open at the Former Numero Uno Location in Agoura Hills

Two Doughs Pizza Co is now open at the former home of Numero Uno Pizza at 28860 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills. They serve wood-fired pizzas, salads, pastas and more.

Learn more at twodoughs.com or on their Instagram and Facebook pages.

Five Threads Brewing Company Announces it Will Be Closing Its Doors After January 30th

Sad to report that after 6 years in business, Five Threads Brewing Company in Westlake Village will be closing after the last beer is served this Sunday, January 30th. The owners indicate "we have not been able to scale up our sales fast enough to cover rising expenses and we find ourselves at the end of our funds." More info at fivethreadsbrewingco.com.

Twisted Oak Tavern Agoura Hills Location to Close January 16th; Camarillo Location to Remain Open

Twisted Oak Tavern & Brewery announced today that it will be closing its Agoura Hills location at 30105 Agoura Road at close of business this Sunday, January 16th. That said, its newer location in the historic J.F. Lewis & Sons building at 2433 Ventura Boulevard in Old Town Camarillo remains open.

Owners of Twisted Oak Tavern originally opened The LAB Brewing Co. on November 1, 2011 after closing MOZ Buddha Lounge there in May 2011. The LAB subsequently became Twisted Oak Tavern in January 2015.

In addition to a nice assortment of in-house (4 of them) and guest brews, Twisted Oak Tavern serves a wide variety of delicious items, like Chimichurri Steak Sandwich, Miso Salmon, Prosciutto and Date Flatbread, Chicken N Waffle Bites, Roasted Cauliflower, Chocolate Lave Cake and so much more. www.twistedoaktavern.pub/menu

Hunan Restaurant in Westlake Village Recently Closed

Hunan Restaurant in Westlake Village at 3825 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd (North Ranch Shopping Center, next to Rite Aid) closed its doors a couple months ago after 30 years in business (retirement).

Other local eateries that closed or opened (or both) in 2021 and that we anticipate to open in 2022 at THIS LINK.

Which Wich Westlake Village Has Closed Its Doors

Which Wich is no longer in operation at The Shoppes at Westlake after a six year run. They opened their doors on September 12, 2015.

If you were a Which Wich fan, you’ll have to drive to Hollywood and Western in Los Angeles for your nearest Which Wich.

All this brings back a childhood memory. I recall a book called “Which Witch is Which?”

Mimi's Cafe Building in Thousand Oaks Torn Down Today to Make Room for Amy's Drive-Thru

Remnants of Mimi’s Cafe Thousand Oaks. (Photo Credit: Eric K. via Instagram)

Mimi’s Cafe on Moorpark Road at Brazil Street in Thousand Oaks said its final goodbyes today, as it was demolished to make room for the construction of Amy’s Drive-Thru.

This location and the Ventura location were closed back in February of this year.

The Thousand Oaks location had operated since at least 1998, giving it a lifespan of at least 23 years. That’s not a bad run for a restaurant operating in this day and age.

Mimi’s was co-founded by Arthur J. Simms, who flew spy missions for the U.S. Air Force out of London and into occupied France. Arthur was with Allied troops liberating a small French town near Versailles. The town celebrated and he me a beautiful French girl named Mimi. They fell in love, but the war pulled them apart.

Thirty years later, Arthur and his son Tom decided to develop a new restaurant, and the named it for Mimi. The Simms and two partners opened the first Mimi’s Cafe in Anaheim in 1978.

Today Mimi’s operates 48 locations in 12 states and the closest ones to Ventura County are in Chatsworth and Valencia.

Mimi’s had intentions to go public in 2004 but instead opted to be acquired for $103 million in cash and assumption of $79 million in debt by Bob Evans Farms Inc. At that time, there were 81 locations in 10 states, including 47 in California.

Le Duff America Inc., a Dallas-based subsidiary of French based Groupe Le Duff, purchased the Mimi’s chain from Bob Evans Farms in early 2013 for $50 million. It would appear that Bob Evans did not make a great investment. Mimi’s had grown to 145 locations in 24 states at the time. Perhaps they grew too fast.

In mid-2019, Le Duff decided to re-brand Mimi’s Cafe as Mimi’s Bistro & Bakery. The chain had shrunk back down to 77 locations by then. And today, as mentioned above, they are down to 48 locations.

The Le Duff America website mentions the purchase of Mimi’s Cafe in 2013 but otherwise, there is no mention of Mimi’s even in the listing of their brands. The trend does not appear to a friend to Mimi’s Bistro & Bakery but let’s hope for the best.

Mimi’s the night of the day it closed.

Phil's Restaurant Coming Soon to Former Home of Prawn & Basil in Thousand Oaks (NOW OPEN)

UPDATE: Phil’s Restaurant opened in March 2022. Learn more at www.phils1000oaks.com.

Prawn & Basil at 3316 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd (just west of Duesenberg Drive) very recently closed its doors**, but the next eatery slated for this spot, "Phil's," is coming soon. No info yet on the offerings but you can follow them at www.facebook.com/Phils-102443092236989. My suspicion is that craft cocktails will be in the mix.

Prior to Prawn & Basil, which opened here in August 2017, this spot was occupied by Geppino's Sicilian Kitchen and before that, Vitello's.

** I’m told by several folks that they will be relocating to the former Barone’s Westlake Village space across the parking lot from Lure Fish House and will operate under a different name. Stay tuned for more details.