Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery to Open at Former Mermaid Tavern Location in Thousand Oaks

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It was back in May that a CVG Facebook follower tipped us off that the Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery was going to be opening a location in Thousand Oaks. When we contacted Tilted Kilt, we were told that the new location would be 1345 Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

SEPTEMBER UPDATE

That was interesting, because The Mermaid Tavern is (or I should now say was) located at that address. Yet there was no mention of this on The Mermaid Tavern's Facebook page...and their website was not operational.

The Mermaid Tavern originally opened on February 4, 2012 in the spot formerly occupied by Roxy's Deli. And I learned a bit more history from Facebook followers that before Roxy's this spot was a Hodel's Country Dining.  But enough of history. Let's look to the future.

Sure enough, The Mermaid Tavern closed its doors several weeks ago and two days ago, a Tilted Kilt Thousand Oaks Facebook page appeared, indicating "Coming Soon."

Now, let's learn a bit more about the Tilted Kilt. According to its Facebook page, "A Celtic themed sports Pub featuring the world famous Tilted Kilt Girls! 'A Cold Beer Never Looked So Good'®" It is a national chain of over 80 pubs, with a casual atmosphere, plenty of flat screen TVs, pub grub and more. Tilted Kilt was named to the Inc. Magazine Top 10 franchises for 2011. Serving up sandwiches, pizza, pub grub like fish and chips and shepherd's pie, burgers, wings and more. Visit www.tiltedkilt.com for more information.

Construction in process at what used to be the Mermaid Tavern in Thousand Oaks.

Rita's Roman Recipes to Open Take-Out Kitchen and Coffee Shop in Agoura Hills on Monday, July 28th

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On Monday, July 28th, Rita's Roman Recipes Take-out Kitchen and Coffee Shop wil open its doors at 28708 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills, in the Yamato/Agoura Fitness center, for breakfasts, lunches and take-out dinners.

Rita’s Gourmet Catering has been doing private catering events since 1989. In the 1990’s Rita’s Gourmet Catering began branching out into school lunch programs serving campuses all over Southern California.  Rita's Roman Recipes was the name created to expand the company's products into farmers' markets in Venice an Atwater Village. But on Monday, for the first time, Rita will open this take-out kitchen and coffee shop here in Agoura Hills.

To learn more, visit www.ritasromanrecipes.com or call 818.216.4848.

Togo's Sandwiches on Madera and Royal in Simi Valley Recently Closed

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CVG Facebook follower Stacy O. has pointed out that the Togo's Sandwiches on Madera and Royal in Simi Valley recently closed its doors, but the other Simi location at 2410 Sycamore Drive remains open.

There are three other Togo's in the area - Westlake Village (2761 Agoura Road), Oxnard (2710 N. Rose Avenue) and Ventura (4726 Telephone Road, Suite 1B)

Since I have not personally been to a Togo's, I asked what others thought about them: "turkey and avocado sandwich is the best!" "I like their spicy jack pastrami" "turkey and cranberry is my hubby's fav" "they're delicious - their meat is not processed" "only fast and cheap sandwich shop that makes egg salad" and many other affirmed their affinity for Togo's sandwiches. Time to check them out. www.togos.com

New Target Store at The Shoppes at Westlake Village Opened on July 22nd

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If you drive by The Shoppes at Westlake Village you may find cars in the parking lot in front of the new Target. I suspect those may belong to employees in training for the upcoming grand opening on Sunday, July 27th (THIS CHANGED TO 4PM ON TUESDAY, JULY 22ND). The City of Westlake Village has indicated that most other tenants will open just before or after the Target grand opening, including Tilly's, Total Woman Gym and Spa, Hook Burger, In-N-Out (no word yet on specific timing at this point), Jeannine's Market, The Gallery Seafood and Chophouse, Los Agaves, Olio e Limone, Greens Up!, Endless Beauty Supply and Suite Vibes Salon.

Other tenants to include Which Wich® Superior Sandwiches, Bowl of Heaven Acai Bowls, Kirk Jewelers and others. Visit www.shoppesatwestlakevillage.com for more information.

101/23 Project Road Closures in Thousand Oaks the Week of July 21st

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Upcoming Road Closures on Hampshire Road (Eastbound lanes only) for July 21 & 22 

Due to construction activity for the US 101 / SR-23 project, the contractor will close the eastbound lanes of Hampshire Road at the US 101 freeway to through traffic.  The closure is scheduled for Monday, July 21 and Tuesday, July 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. so the contractor can conduct drilling and sandblasting operations.

Several Nighttime Closures at Moorpark Road Week of July 21

The following closures will take place at Moorpark Road due to construction activity, which includes the installation of piles for the overcrossing:  

  • Moorpark Road will be closed to traffic at the US 101 freeway from 9 p.m. Monday, July 21 to 6 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, and from 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 22 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 23.
  • The Northbound off-ramp to the US 101 at Moorpark Road will be closed from 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 22 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 23.
  • The #3 lane of the Northbound US 101 and the adjacent shoulder will be closed from 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 22 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 23 to accommodate construction activity.
  • Moorpark Road will be closed to traffic at the US 101 freeway from 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 23 to 6 a.m. Thursday, July 24.
  • The Northbound on- and off-ramps to the US 101 at Moorpark Road will be closed from 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 23 to 6 a.m. Thursday, July 24.

For more information regarding upcoming closures scheduled on the project, visit www.toaks.org/10123.

DISCLAIMER: Please be advised, dates and times are subject to change due to unforeseen operational factors or inclement weather. Source: 101/23 Project Team.

The Best Halloween Store Ever Opening in New Location in September 2014

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2019 Update: The Best Halloween Store Ever has been located for the past several years at Janss Marketplace. This location is now the Tarantula Hill Brewing Company.

LOCAL ARE CRAFT BREWERIES AND TAPROOMS

BestHalloweenStore2014.jpg

The Best Halloween Store Ever is opening its new seasonal location this year at old Plummer's Furniture building, 244 E Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks. The retail space is more than double the size of its previous seasonal location at the old El Torito building, which was torn down and became a new Chick-fil-A this past May.

No doubt the owners of this store will continue in their quest to present some of the most terrifying, gruesome, not-for-faint-of-heart displays along with lots of fun for all ages, while presenting a large assortment of costumes and accessories to complete any costume. Get updates at www.facebook.com/besthalloweenstoreever.

Chocolate Savvy Opened at the Simi Valley Town Center This Past Monday

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Chocolate Savvy - cakes, cupcakes and more - opened this past Monday, July 7th, at the Simi Valley Town Center, next to Wetzel's Pretzels. Looks great to me! The store can be reached at 805.582.1030.

Daytime Closures at Hampshire Road Wednesday, July 16 through Friday, July 18

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Northbound US 101 On-Ramp at Hampshire Road Closed Wednesday Night, July 9 

The Hampshire Road on-ramp to the northbound US 101 freeway will be closed from 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 9 to 6 a.m. Thursday, July 10. This closure will allow the contractor to complete a concrete pour on a retaining wall that is being constructed along the ramp. Intermittent nighttime closures of this ramp will continue over the next few weeks. 

Daytime Road Closures at Hampshire Road Beginning Wednesday, July 16

As part of the US 101 bridge widening at Hampshire Road, preparations are under way to begin pile driving the week of July 14. Pile driving is a common method of constructing bridge foundations. To support the bridge foundation, steel or concrete beams (known as "piles") are driven into the ground by a large hammer mounted atop a crane, until the beams reach a hard layer of earth beneath the foundation. Please be advised, this work may be loud and disruptive due to vibration and pounding.

WHEN/WHERE: In order for the contractor to set up the pile driving crane and other equipment, Hampshire Road underneath the US 101 freeway as well as the northbound US 101 Hampshire Road on- and off-ramps will be closed, from 9 p.m. Monday, July 14 to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15.

Pile driving on Hampshire Road will begin during the day on Wednesday, July 16. Hampshire Road will be closed to through traffic at the US 101 freeway, daily between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Wednesday, July 16 through Friday, July 18. The US 101 freeway on- and off-ramps on Hampshire Road will remain open, however there will be no access on the roadway underneath the freeway. To avoid delays, motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and consider using alternate routes.

For more information regarding upcoming closures scheduled on the project, visit www.toaks.org/10123.

DISCLAIMER: Please be advised, dates and times are subject to change due to unforeseen operational factors or inclement weather. Source: 101/23 Project Team.

California Kabob Kitchen Opened Last Week in Moorpark

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After posting an update on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page about a couple anticipated new Mediterrean eateries in Thousand Oaks, Joey C. informed us that California Kabob Kitchen opened last week in the Starbucks shopping center at 537 New Los Angeles Avenue (at Spring Road) in Moorpark. She also indicated the kabobs are fresh, the Persian stews are amazing and they sell falafel, hummus and other great stuff. <pause> (Sorry, just had to wipe slobber from the keyboard.)

No website from what I can tell but check out their Facebook page or call 805.530.3828 for more information. So far nothing but 5 star Yelp reviews, so they must be doing something right!