Need an AC repair? These factors could delay the work
“(I’m still) behind from two years ago when manufacturing shut down, and demand has gone through the roof.”
Mike Donley, president of Donley AC and Plumbing
As summer approaches, Arizonans may prepare for scorching temperatures by wearing oven mitts while driving to protect from hot steering wheels, or mimic viral trends to see if they can cook food on asphalt.
But one important seasonal check that people might forget is to make sure air conditioning units are working in their homes.
Supply shortages lingering from the earlier days of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to affect the availability of some parts, and it may take longer to make all the necessary repairs.
As in other industries, HVAC companies have faced rising demand and decreasing supply.
Shortages at the supplier level have consequences that trickle down to servicing businesses. When the people who do repairs cannot get the parts they need, jobs that would be simple become impossible.
“(I’m still) behind from two years ago when manufacturing shut down, and demand has gone through the roof,” said Mike Donley, president of Donley AC and Plumbing. “They never caught up.”
Citing one example, Donley said most thermostats, motors and air conditioners require chips to make them work, but since production of these chips has slowed, current repairs on a variety of units are affected.
Audrey Monell, president of Forrest Anderson Plumbing & Air Conditioning, said supply and labor shortages have built up over the past two years.
“The supply shortage is really starting to hit us hard right now, because everybody’s backlogs run out. And even equipment is about three months out on some of our jobs,” Monell said. “Now, everybody’s warehouses are depleted,
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Boba Cutea
Gilbert’s Boba Cutea has expanded with a new location on Chandler Boulevard near Chandler Fashion Center. Its menu has a wide-ranging variety of desserts including galaxy boba drinks, gelato boba ice cream, ice cream frappes, slushies, milk teas and brown sugar drinks.
Details: 3400 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite 3, Chandler. 480-306-6847, bobacutea.com.
Bottle & Bean
Bottle & Bean has a coffee shop and bistro as well as a private dining room just south of Queen Creek Road in Chandler.
Details: 2577 W. Queen Creek Road, #100, Chandler. 480-265-9996, bottlebean.com.
Chino-Mex
Chino-Mex has opened its second Valley location, serving its specialty of Chinese and Mexican food combined in each dish. You’ll find birria ramen as well as build-your-own bowls and trays.
Details: 6140 W. Chandler Blvd.,
Suite 2, Chandler. 480-690-1010, chinomex.com.
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
At this popular sushi chain, you can order sushi platters on a conveyor belt, earn prizes and have your drinks delivered by a robot.
Details: 1928 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. 520-479-2707, kurasushi.com.
La Fonda Mexican Restaurant
Longtime family-owned Mexican restaurant La Fonda, which opened in Tempe in 1967, is celebrating its 55th anniversary with the grand opening of its new location on Chandler Boulevard. Its menu features burros, quesadillas, chile con carne and street tacos.
Details: 2051 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. 480-966-8001, lafondatempe.com.
Lunch Money
A “lovingly curated” locally owned gift shop, Lunch Money sells apparel, stationery, home goods, cards and accessories.
Details: 2430 S. Gilbert Road., Chandler. 480-622-4220, lunchmoneyaz.com.
Mango Crazy
Mango Crazy is now serving sweet and savory fruit-based treats in Chandler, which marks the California business’ first Arizona outpost.
Details: 1005 S. Arizona Ave., #6, Chandler. mangocrazy.com.
Mountain Mike’s Pizza
The pizza chain is now open right off Interstate 10, serving pies made with dough that is freshly made and rolled every day.
Details: 800 N. 54th St., Suite 5, Chandler. 480-550-8141, mountainmikespizza.com.
RareTea
RareTea has made its Arizona debut, serving boba tea, matcha drinks and smoothies at its new store at Germann and Gilbert roads.
Details: 2990 E. Germann Road, #3, Chandler. 480-687-5723, rareteausa.com.
Recreo
This new downtown Chandler restaurant serves cocktails and dishes that use fresh, local ingredients. Recreo is a indoor/outdoor venue that aims to create "garden hangout vibes," according to its Facebook page.
Details: 28 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler. 480-590-0009,recreoaz.com.
Tea Fresho
Tea Fresho, whose flagship store is in Gilbert, is now serving fruit teas and slushies, coffee-based drinks and milk teas at Chandler Boulevard and Kyrene
Road. Toppings include boba, crystal pearls, jellies, egg pudding, cheese foam, popping boba and aloe vera.
Details: 6140 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. 480-207-1177, facebook.com/ teafresho.brew.
The Paleta Bar
“Fresh gourmet Mexican pops” that are handmade daily have arrived in Chandler with New Mexico-based The Paleta Bar’s latest expansion in the Valley.
Details: 4990 S. Gilbert Road, #1, Chandler. 480-469-5317, thepaletabar.com.
Coming soon to Chandler
Several businesses have announced that Chandler residents can expect to see them open soon.
Lou Malnati's
The Illinois-based deep-dish pizzeria plans to open a carry-out and deliveryonly storefront on Alma School Road.
Details: 2815 S. Alma School Road, Suite 15, Chandler. 480-561-5350, loumalnatis.com/arizona.
Somisomi Soft Serve & Taiyaki
Somisomi Soft Serve & Taiyaki — whose menu features Korean-inspired soft serve with various toppings in fishshaped waffles — is set to debut in Arizona. According to its website, its Chandler location is “coming soon!”
Details: 1920 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler. somisomi.com/locations.