Cake Monkey Bakery Opening August 31st at The Village at Westlake

Update Fall 2019: Well after 13 months, the owners announced they are closing Cake Monkey Bakery.

Update 8/30/18: Anticipated grand opening on Friday, August 31st.

"Known for the ultimate in delicious desserts and pastries, we make everything from mini layer cakes to nostalgic favorites such as El Rollos, Cakewiches and Pop Pies."

Posted 4/29/18:

Cake Monkey Bakery is located at 7807 Beverly Blvd in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles, offering cakes, individually-sized treats and coffee.  Gluten-free items are available too.

Well guess what...Cake Monkey Bakery is soon opening a location at The Village at Westlake, Agoura Road and Village Glen, in the former home of Tonino's Place Pizzeria. 

Soom Soom Fresh Mediterranean Now Open at The Promenade at Westlake

Update: Soom Soom opened in mid-September.

Soom Soom Fresh Mediterranean is coming soon to The Promenade at Westlake. Founded in November 2016 in Los Angeles, Soom Soom offers falafel, shawarma, hummus and other Mediterranean foods with fresh, organic ingredients.

Soom Soom will be located next to Fresh Brothers and Cinepolis in what was previously (and quite briefly), The Melt (and prior to that, Pick Up Stix, for you local history buffs).

More on Soom Soom at soomsoomfresh.com.

Sapwi Trails Community Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Thousand Oaks on September 22nd

The Conejo Recreation and Park District announces its Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Sapwi Trails Community Park on Saturday, September 22, 2018 from 9 am to noon.

This 145 acre park is located in the open space between Erbes Road (at Scenicpark Street) on the west and Westlake Boulevard east, with Avenida de los Arboles on the north.

The park has numerous features, including disc golf course, trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, playground, bike park, terraced areas with picnic benches and more.

The park will not have irrigated turf.

More information at www.crpd.org/sapwi.

Taiyo Ramen Coming To Select Plaza in Thousand Oaks

Akash Cuisine of India recently closed at its location at 2310 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks after operating for nearly five years.

On the way, however, according to the Dept of Alcoholic Beverage Control sign on the window, is Taiyo Ramen.

I'm all in for that. 

Stay tuned. 

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market to Open Moorpark Location on Thursday, September 13th

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, the nation’s fastest-growing, extreme-value grocery retailer, is opening a new store in Moorpark, creating 30 new jobs in the community.

Location is 425 Los Angeles Avenue. groceryoutlet.com/moorpark-coming-soon

Following the unique grand opening ceremony at 8:55 a.m. on Thursday, September 13, a donation will be presented on behalf of Grocery Outlet to Moorpark Boys and Girls Club at 11 a.m. In true Grocery Outlet fashion, the amount that shoppers saved on their grocery purchases during the store’s first hour of operation will determine the donation amount. The first 200 customers of the day will also receive Grocery Outlet Bargain Bucks in “mystery” amounts ranging from $5 to $200. All shoppers will receive a free reusable bag, while supplies last. Lastly, starting Thursday, September 13 through October 11, 2018, customers may enter for a chance to win a Grand Prize of Free Groceries for 1 Year!

“Unlock Savings” Grand Opening Celebration-- Thursday, September 13, 8:55 a.m.

First 200 customers will receive Grocery Outlet Bargain Bucks gift cards ranging from $5 to $200 (must be 18 years of age or older). All shoppers will receive a free reusable bag, while supplies last.

Moorpark Boys and Girls Club Donation Presentation -- Thursday, September 13, 11 a.m.

Donation amount is determined by the amount of savings that customers generate during the store’s first hour of operation.

Community Celebration -- Saturday, September 15, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

The community event will include family-friendly activities and prizes such as the chance to spin and win on the Wheel of Bargains. Catered by Famous Taco, complimentary lunch will be provided with $10 minimum purchase from Moorpark Grocery Outlet, while supplies last. Vendors will be offering free food and beverage samples, and kettle corn will also be available for purchase. Representatives from the Boys and Girls Club of Moorpark will be bagging groceries and accepting tips to raise money for their organization.

Enter for a chance to win FREE Groceries for 1 year!

Between September 13 – October 11, 2018, customers may enter for a chance to win a Grand Prize of Free Groceries for 1 Year! ($100 per month for one year, a $1,200 value). The Grand Prize drawing will take place at the end of the day on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at the Moorpark Grocery Outlet. (Must be 18 years of age or older. One entry per person, per day. No purchase necessary. Winner need not be present to win but must claim the prize within three days of notification or another winner will be chosen. No cash value and no substitutions.)

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.

Sooki's Japanese Grill in Newbury Park Appears to Have Closed Its Doors

At least that appears to be the case. Sooki's Japanese Grill, which has operated at the Ralphs strip mall at 579 N. Ventu Road in Newbury Park since 1980, is no longer open. The phone number has been disconnected. There's no sign indicating what's going on, so one could presume Sooki's is closed. At least for the time being. Stay tuned.  www.sookis.net

Prime Cutts - The Original Döner Shop Opening at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks on Monday, August 20th (and now closed in June 2019)

UPDATE June 2019: Well that was quick. Prime Cutts is no longer at The Oaks.

Prime Cutts in June 2019 - no mas.

Prime Cutts when open.

Update 8/17/18: Prime Cutts will be opening this coming Monday, August 20th according to its first Instagram page post. (Shout out to Sam S for the heads up.)

Posted 5/6/18: According to a Wikipedia article, döner kebab is a Turkish kebab made of meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The outer layer is sliced vertically into thin shavings as it cooks. "Originally invented in the 19th century Ottoman Empire, it inspired similar dishes such as the Arab shawarma, Greek gyros, and Mexican al pastor."

Prime Cutts - The Original Döner Shop - is coming soon to the first floor indoor food court, near the kids' play area, at The Oaks Mall. 

At primecutts.com I see things like build your own rice bowls, salad bowls and wraps, as well as tacos, burger, plates and more.

Julio's Agave Grill Opening Soon at Westlake Commons in Westlake Village

Opened November 19th.

10/14/18 Update: Sign is up indicating a November opening date.

Signs at the new Julio's Agave Grill are up and this new eatery at the Westlake Commons at Agoura Road and Village Glen appears to be opening at some point soon - apparently October. The owner of Cisco's Westlake (which closed its doors in February) selected the former Casa Escobar location (which closed in September 2016) for this new Mexican eatery.

westlakecommons.com/directory/julios-agave-grill