Dairy Queen gets reprieve until October

One of Davis’ longest-running fast-food restaurants, Dairy Queen, will remain open through the warm months, its owner said Friday. The restaurant, at 909 Fifth St., faces approximately $50,000 in mandated accessibility improvements.

Owner Shahid Iqbal said the franchise is asking him to foot the bill for Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, which he can’t afford. A “for lease” sign is posted outside the establishment. This is the second extension the company has given him. “We continue to fight,” he said Friday.

Dairy Queen has been a staple of local cool treats, burgers and chicken strips for more than 50 years. Nostalgic residents have flocked there for specialties like Blizzards and chocolate-dipped cones since I first reported in September that closure could be imminent.

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Comings & Goings reader Connie Romstad was wondering what to do with her Rostini gift card, since the one-of-a-kind pizza and pasta restaurant in The Marketplace closed early last month. I suggested she call Mary’s Pizza Shack, which owns Rostini.

The manager at Mary’s Pizza Shack in Dixon told Romstad he would honor her gift card. Customers seeking reimbursement may request by email to rostiniitaliankitchen@gmail.com.

Rostini was at 1411 W. Covell Blvd., No. 111. It was a pilot project for the Mary’s chain, testing a “fast-casual” concept.

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The Yolo County Visitors Bureau has moved to new offices in downtown Davis, in the Mansion Square center. The new address is 132 E St., Suite 200, above Zen Toro Restaurant.

“With the expansion of Davis Roots in the Hunt-Boyer Mansion where we had been located, we needed to find new space for ourselves,” Alan Humason, executive director of the YCVB, said in a recent Enterprise story.

The new suite has three private offices for staff, a “coffee bar,” and new furniture throughout, including displays for maps, brochures, travel guides, and examples of locally made products representing all of Yolo County.

The centerpiece of the new office is a 50-inch high-definition “Smart TV” that is connected to the Internet as well as the YCVB database system.

Once staff members are settled, they plan to host an open house and other events.

Community members are invited to stop by. Office hours are weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 530-297-1900 or visit http://www.yolocvb.org.

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The Davis Chamber of Commerce moved temporarily while its office at 604 Third St. gets some upgrades. You can find it at 102 E St., on the northeast corner of First and E streets. It plans to reopen on Tuesday, April 16.

The remodel will create an “inviting and functional visitor center, professional offices and a modern conference room available for public use,” a news release said. Energy-saving features and new furniture are part of the change.

During its two-month stay in the new location, the Chamber encourages visitors to stop by, pick up maps and inquire about other Davis services. Hours during this time are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. When it reopens in its original space on April 16, hours will expand to 5 p.m. again, Deputy Director Grant Nejedlo said Thursday.

Executive Director Kemble Pope said, “Our shortened office hours during this temporary relocation will give staff the opportunity to be out in the community visiting with the businesses and organizations that support us, so we can better understand how the Chamber can support each of them.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house will be announced later. For more information, email Nejedlo at deputydirector@davischamber.com or call 530-756-5160.

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The Yolo County SPCA Thrift Store expanded, opening in a new storefront a few doors down from its original store at Third and I streets.

This store, with its fresh paint and scrubbed floors, “showcases the higher-quality, vintage and unusual items that are donated to the thrift store,” a news release said.

“When you visit us, you will find one-of-a-kind clothing, shoes, books, quality accessories and even furniture, all at affordable prices,” the release said. New merchandise is added daily.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with donations accepted until 5 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Yolo County SPCA’s programs for homeless animals.

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The Davis Flea Market has rented the former Dimple Records space the weekend of March 30-31 for festival filled with vendors and entertainment.

The 5,000-square-foot space at 212 F St. will feature performers, artists, speakers, music and food. The flea market, typically the last Sunday of the month, will be available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday (Easter), with performances both evenings.

Creator Lauren Norton said there would be a range of activities and speakers, including a “makerspace,” Ted-style talks, and an introduction to its new microloans program: www.davisfleamarket.org/loans

“This is our most ambitious project to date,” she said in an email. “We still have Central Park booked for April … but it has always been our goal to find a brick and mortar home for the flea market, so we’re excited to try out the old Dimple space!” 

Apply to be a vendor, performer or volunteer at www.davisfleamarket.org/apply. Email Norton at lauren@davisfleamarket.org for more details.

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Nutrishop Davis, a sports nutrition and weight loss supplement store, opened in January at 612 Fourth St. Owners Brandon Pratt and Dale Kitt also own the Vacaville store. Nutrishop is a nationwide chain.

All of its employees are certified nutritionists, according to its Davis Wiki page. “They offer personalized meal plans free of charge, geared to your health and fitness goals,” it said.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 10-5 on Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Call 530-949-7467 or visit http://www.NutrishopDavis.com/.

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Earlier this month, longtime Davis hairstylist John Hausler opened Tangles Studio, recycling his former business’ name, Tangles Salon and Spa. Tangles Studio is at 515 G St., behind Yolo Federal Credit Union.

Hausler sold his original salon four years ago and continued to work at Strands, under the new ownership, until August. The purchase agreement had a non-compete clause, which recently expired, he said.

The new salon “is very small and quaint — a far cry from the 4,000-square-foot location of Tangles (Salon),” he said. The first Tangles, at Second and F streets, operated with 15 to 20 employees.  “At Tangles Studio, I work alone in a very quiet, peaceful, private environment.”

Hours, for now, are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursdays. Call 530-575-0018 for an appointment.

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Hallmark Inn is still not ready to announce an opening date for its sandwich shop and deli called Café 110. The addition is part of a remodeling project that added three retail spaces to its ground floor along F Street, near First. The café takes over the space where its breakfast area once was. Massage Envy already opened (moving from The Marketplace), but a tenant for the third space has not been announced.

— Wendy Weitzel is a Davis resident. Her column runs occasionally on Sundays, but her Comings & Goings Facebook page has more frequent updates. If you know about a business coming or going in the area, contact Wendy at wendyedit@gmail.com.

Wendy Weitzel

Wendy Weitzel is a longtime journalist and Davis resident. She is a former managing editor of The Davis Enterprise, working there from 1998-2008. She has written her Comings & Goings business column since 2001. Today, she does freelance writing, editing, marketing and design.

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