More Grocers, Retail And Restaurants In Store
One thing about being the thirdlargest city in Los Angeles County, there’s always something going on in Santa Clarita.
Every month, the city welcomes new businesses that are highlighted here in Developing Stories, and May was no different.
After the anchor grocery store left the shopping center where the Red Robin used to be an Elephant Bar, I lamented the need for more grocery stores on the west side.
It seems like I’m not the only one who missed it, based on the city’s most recent approvals.
In the months since, Vallarta has moved its headquarters here, and the city has permitted a Grocery Outlet at Bouquet and Seco, an Aldi’s in Canyon Country and now a new “boutique” grocer that’s going in across the street from the Chick Fil-a in Valencia — one of two new additions to the plaza at Magic Mountain Parkway.
Wild Fork is the new grocer, which is going in at 24175 Magic Mountain Parkway, which was previously an Active Ride, a board and bike shop. Its current neighbors are a Men’s Wearhouse and a Fedex Office.
Wild Fork promises “the widest selection of high-quality meat and seafood at the lowest everyday prices,” according to its website.
The store’s “secret sauce”? The grocer “blast-freezes” at the peak of freshness— which is supposed to reduce crystallization and maintain juiciness — and promises same-day delivery.
There’s more information available at wildforkfoods.com.
The Wild Fork’s new neighbor is Wescom Credit Union, a 91-year-old Pasadena-based financial institution with 24 branches from Laguna Niguel to Palmdale.
Newhall Ranch Road also is expecting a couple of new businesses.
Makenna Koffee Company is another offering for the breakfast table from Bridgeport Marketplace, joining The Flying Yolk, Marsten’s and the Honu pop-up in the lower level of the amphitheater at Real Life Church.
Makenna promises “good vibes and delicious coffee” — I’m sure I’ll be able to put that to the test soon next time I’m waiting for a table at one of the great brunch spots there.
In another interesting turn of retail, Dollar Tree, which has 15,115 stores in the 48 contiguous states, according to its website, is opening location No. 15,116 on Newhall Ranch Road in Gateway Village, in the same center as the Smart & Final location.
In case you haven’t seen one of its other 15,000 locations, Dollar Tree is a “multi-price-point chain of discount variety stores.”
A lot of folks have been wondering what’s going to go into the location that was Maria’s Italian Kitchen on Lyons Avenue, which was a beloved restaurant for generations.
While the name wasn’t immediately available, city officials are aware of the new occupants of the space: a restaurant with billiards.
Also in the restaurant space, Madre’s has yet to list the address on its website, but a Santa Clarita location on Mcbean Parkway has been in the works for years.
Castle Dermatology is the latest addition to the city’s medical office space, adding to a space at 25425 Orchard Village, in Suite 170.
“And that’s something we’re just seeing as a broader trend is medical office space doing really well,” said Jason Crawford, director of community development for the city of Santa Clarita.
Crawford also hinted at an industrial project expected to be before the Planning Commission in June that’s yet to be announced. The development would be an industrial project slated for next to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station on Golden Valley Parkway.
The applicant for the project is called Pacific Industrial, which considers itself “an industrial real estate development and acquisition platform,” according to its website.
“The applicant, PI Development LLC, is proposing a 174,000 square foot industrial/warehouse building at the subject property at 26313 Golden Valley Road,” according to Patrick Leclair, senior planner with the city of Santa Clarita. “The subject property is vacant and approximately 13 acres in size. The building would include 165,000 square feet of warehouse space and 9,000 square feet of office square footage. The overall building height is 52 feet. The project also includes various on-site improvements including landscaping, paving, parking and lighting of the proposed parking lot and docking stations for trucks.”