Loteria Grill at The Promenade at Westlake...Coming When? Coming "Soon"

Update March 2017: Loteria closed its doors in March 2017.

Update 4/17/12: Loteria indicates on its Facebook page that they will be opening for business this Thursday, April 19th!

Update 3/25/12: In May 2011 I noticed the absence of La Salsa and "Coming Soon" sign for the new Loteria Grill Regional Mexican Cocina & Cantina at The Promenade at Westlake. Well it is nearly April 2012...10 months have passed and we have this beautiful Loteria sign but no Loteria just yet.

According to a response to a post to their Facebook wall on March 16th, the Westlake Village location will be opening "soon."

Musical Hot Dogs in Thousand Oaks! Wienerschnitzel Gone, Garage Dogs Coming!

Sept 2012 Update: Garage Dogs has closed.

UPDATE 4/16/12: Garage Dogs has announced it will be opening its doors on Monday, April 23rd!

Recently we announced that Conejo Valley hot dog consumption would be taking a dive as the long-standing Wienerschnitzel next to the Do It Center on Thousand Oaks was completely demolished to the ground to make way for a Chick-fil-A.

Well hold on to your buns as there's a new dog coming to town (and thanks to CVG reader Richie for pointing this out)! Garage Dogs is setting up shop at 2626 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, just 1 mile west of dearly demolished Weinerschnitzel. This is literally across the street from 24 Hour Fitness! Very convenient for rewarding yourself after the treadmills!

Check out their menu at www.garagedogsto.com/menu.html. Hot dogs, sausages, rippers (I believe these are deep fried hot dogs), burgers and a nice variety of specials, like the Gran Torino ("Chicago Dog") all beef steamed dog with neon relish, onions, mustard, tomato, sport peppers, pickle spear, celery salt, poppy seed bun. I'm salivating on the keyboard.

They also have turkey dogs and veggie dogs, which is nice to see.

Laker Girls Appear at the Newbury Park Arco Am Pm Grand Opening April 6-7

For those of you who regularly check out Conejo Valley Guide, you know that our primary focus is covering events, activities and things to do in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County area. As such, most of what you see on this site relates to the future, not the past, which is best covered by our great local newspapers.

However, sometimes we make exceptions, particularly here in the Local Buzz blog where we like to periodically report random goings on that we find interesting and/or amusing. Such was the case yesterday and today in Newbury Park, where we learned that the brand new Arco Am Pm at 2305 Borchard Road (at Michael) was hosting a grand opening celebration that, among other things, featured an appearance by THE LAKER GIRLS!

It's not every day that we get to see Laker Girls in our neck of the woods...in fact, this is the first and only time I can recall this happening in my nearly 20 years in the Conejo Valley. So given the significance I just HAD to stop by several times. Never have I seen so many SMILES at a gas station! Thanks to the owners of this station. Good times were had by all. :>

Ventura County Star: The Edge Grill in Westlake Village to Close Friday, April 6th

The Edge Grill in Westlake Village mentioned on its Facebook page today that it will be closing its doors this Friday after it serves its last customers. In this Ventura County Star article referenced by The Edge, owners acknowledged that the restaurant's concept wasn't working and they are seeking new ideas for something that works well with the community.

Located at 30970 Russell Ranch Road, The Edge was opened about a year ago. Prior to that, it was a Fox Sports Grill and originally a Dakota's Steakhouse in May 2007.

What else would work in that location? Hmm, another HOOTERS!? :>

Joking aside, we wish the best for the employees of The Edge and that they quickly find new jobs...perhaps at some of these new restaurants around town.

Hometown Buffet in Simi Valley is Closed

I've never been to the Simi Valley Hometown Buffet nor will I or you in the future as it has closed its doors. The other Hometown Buffet in Ventura County is located at 1901 Lockwood Street, Oxnard, off of Rose Avenue near Best Buy. Been there a few times. Not something I go outta my way for but they get the job done, inexpensively. And there you have it.

Grand Opening of SweetXO Candy, Frozen Yogurt and Bakeshop in Agoura on April 1st

This sounds pretty interesting! SweetXO is a combination frozen yogurt bar, candy store, cupcake bakeshop and lifestyle/gift shop all in one location. SweetXO also has a "Coke FreeStyle fountain" where you can choose from over 120 flavors.

If you haven't seen the new Coke FreeStyle fountain, you're in for a real treat. Get your creative juices flowing with your choice of over 120 different flavors. You can choose from all major flavors and types of soda.

Grand opening on Sunday, April 1st at 5825 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills, at the corner of Kanan and Thousand Oaks Boulevard, next to Starbucks. This used to be a Blockbuster Video location.

More information at www.sweetxo.com or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SweetXOs.

New Gymboree Play & Music Location at The Oaks Mall Opened This Month

Gymboree Play & Music has been fostering creativity and confidence in children ages 0-5 for over 30 years. Today there are over 550 locations in 30 countries. This month a new Gymboree location opened in the outdoor shops section of The Oaks mall. Looks really nice! This is the first Conejo Valley Gymboree P&M location since the Westlake Village location closed a few years ago.

CLICK HERE for more information about this location.