By Donna Jones

djones@santacruzsentinel.com @DonnaJonesSCS on Twitter

WATSONVILLE >> McDonald's is coming to downtown Watsonville.

The City Council approved construction of the fast food restaurant on Main Street near Riverside Drive on a 6-0 vote Tuesday.

"When you think about McDonald's, you probably think about Big Mac or Ronald McDonald," said Tila Guerrero, who, with son Martin, owns McDonald's restaurants at The Overlook shopping center and on Freedom Boulevard. "It's much more than that. We do sell food like hamburgers and fries, but also healthy options like salads."

Pitching the proposal for the new location, Guerrero said the company employs almost 150 people, and would likely add 75 more if the council approved the 24-hour drive-through restaurant. It serves lettuce and fresh fruit grown in the Pajaro Valley.

Watsonville is growing, Guerrero said. "We're growing together."

Residents praised the Guerreros for a business that is well run and supportive of the community in general and education in particular. Developers warned of sending the negative message to businesses who might want to invest in Watsonville.

But others expressed concern about traffic and questioned whether the city needed another fast food restaurant, especially at the edge of what's planned to be a more pedestrian friendly downtown.

Mayor Karina Cervantez, who was out of town, sent a letter to the council, arguing the project conflicted with the historic character of the downtown, the changes being made to revitalize the business district and the city's effort to promote healthy eating to curb an obesity epidemic among residents.

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Watsonville council approves downtown McDonald's

A familiar Uptown property is being eyed for a high-rise development.

Trammell Crow Co. is seeking zoning to build a "vertical mixed-use development" on the Caf Express site at McKinney Avenue and Bowen Street.

The single-floor Dallas restaurant occupies a more than 1-acre tract that's zoned for high-rise office and retail construction.

Crow wants to develop a tower on the corner that would "primarily be multifamily residential, with some ground floor retail and restaurant space," according to filings with the City of Dallas.

The retail would include a new Caf Express to replace the existing building, constructed in 1996.

Crow also plans to include in the project an expanded facility for the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority. The streetcar line would get new trolley barn space, offices and an exhibit area in the building.

Underground parking would serve the tower.

Crow's zoning application does not include request for additional height for the project but is asking for more density in the building.

With land prices soaring in Uptown, developers are increasingly looking at properties occupied by low-rise buildings.

The project would be developed by Crow's High Street Residential - the same firm that's working on a large apartment and retail project on Mockingbird Lane near Love Field.

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Trammell Crow eyes Uptown restaurant site for new tower

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Representatives of the Tumbleweed restaurant at Waterfront Park have been summoned to appear before a judge next week to answer its landlord's claim that the restaurant is $17,000 behind in rent.

The hearing set for Tuesday, Sept. 30, in Jefferson District Court -- is required before the landlord, Waterweed LLC, can force the restaurant to vacate the property.

UPDATE: Late Monday afternoon, Tumbleweed released a Sept. 16 letter from its attorney, Dennis Murrell, claiming that the restaurant has actually overpaid some $470,000 in rent "mistakenly" since 2009.

Tumbleweed has not been issued an order to vacate and the restaurant continues to operate as normal, said Rick Schardein, a spokesman for Louisville-based Tumbleweed, Inc., which has 29 restaurants.

Only a judge's order can force a tenant out of a property, said Deputy Ray Kaelin of the Jefferson County's Sheriff Office, which handles evictions in metro Louisville.

According to a petition filed Aug. 29 in district court by WaterWeed and CJ Austin LLC, Tumbleweed owes $17,000 for the month of August, plus $850 in late fees. The Aug. 29 petition resulted in the scheduling of the Sept. 30 hearing, according to the document.

Negotiations are ongoing, Schardein said Monday. Tumbleweed has made their position known to Waterfront (Development Corp.) and the attorneys for Waterweed.

As WDRB reported Sept. 9, Waterfront officials say Tumbleweed missed its quarterly payment to Waterfront for the April-June period. The restaurant pays a fixed amount to Waterweed its lender in the 2004 construction of the building and an additional 3.5 percent of its gross sales to the Waterfront agency.

Tumbleweed says the lease is too expensive and that the restaurant is not profitable. It wants better terms.

The alleged over-payment of rent stems from a 2009 adjustment in the lease that said the restaurant would only have to pay a percentage of any sales above $4 million annually, according to Burrell's analysis. The restaurant's sales have not exceeded $4 million in any year since the provision went into effect, yet the restaurant has been paying "percentage rent" by mistake, he wrote.

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Tumbleweed eviction case to go before judge next week

Robert Irvine. Yes, he really is that beefy. (Courtesy)

Theres another restaurant getting a makeover in our neck of the woods via Robert Irvine and his team behind Restaurant Impossible. This time around, Knife & Fork Gastropub (20626 Stone Oak Pkwy, Ste 103) will get a $10,000 makeover and there are ways you can be a part of it.

The grand re-opening is slated for Sunday, October 5 at 7 p.m. (although fans who witnessed the remodel of Mama Lees Soul Food at 6060 Montgomery) will remember the remodel ate up several hours into the evening). The general public can make reservations by calling Knife & Fork Gastropub @ (210) 497-7111.

But if youd rather be more hands on about change, Food Network has put out a call for volunteers to help remodel the space. Here are the deets on that:

We are looking for individuals to help with the renovation of the restaurant within the two days. Volunteers will be painting, crafting, construction, remodeling, cleaning, decorating etc. (depending on your skill set). Always looking for skilled contractors, electricians, plumbers and painters to help out and donate their time. The volunteer schedule is as follows:

Shift #1 Saturday, October 4: 1-8 pm

Shift #2 Saturday, October 4: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Shift #3 Sunday, October 5th: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to email associate producer Jayson (Rivolunteer@shootersinc.com, subject line FN 1002 TX Volunteer) by Friday, September 26th, 1:00pm, with preferred shift or shifts, full name, email address, cell number and skill set or related profession (ex: plumber or painter). Only those with an email confirmation can volunteer.

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Restaurant Impossible Returns to SA

Wing Daddy's Sauce House's East Central location is at 1201 Airway. By the end of October, the owners expect to open the chain's first New Mexico location in Las Cruces, its third San Antonio location, and a third location in Mexico in Nuevo Laredo. (Rudy GutierrezEl Paso Times)

Wing Daddy's Sauce House, a fast-growing El Paso restaurant chain, has opened restaurants in San Antonio and Mexico, but its three owners are now ready to spread their wings even further via franchising.

"Over a year ago, we started the process. It's a long, complicated process to be legally franchisable," said Mario Southern, one of three partners who started the chain six years ago after jotting down their restaurant ideas on a napkin during a bull session at a local sports bar.

Wing Daddy's has found success in the competitive, and increasingly crowded sports bar and chicken wings niche.

But the owners don't like their restaurants labeled as sports bars.

"We're called a sauce house (the restaurant features 17, daily-made dipping sauces), not a sports bar," partner Ryan McNellis said last week as he and Southern drove back from Las Cruces, where they checked on a restaurant under construction there. "You would never take kids to a sports bar. We're a sports restaurant."

Wing Daddy's focuses on food (its extensive menu includes not only chicken wings, but ribs, burgers, and other fare) and on being family friendly unlike competitors such as Hooters, Twin Peaks, and Buffalo Wild Wings, Southern said last week. He sat inside a Wing Daddy's tucked inside a shopping center at 1201 Airway in East Central El Paso.

A bevy of female waitresses stood near the front door as the lunch crowd filtered in. Wing Daddy's has all-female wait staffs like many of its competitors. But unlike some of the competition, they don't wear provocative uniforms because of Wing Daddy's family-friendly mode, noted Gerry Lopez, Wing Daddy's district manager.

The chain has nine locations: Five in El Paso, two in San Antonio, and two in Mexico. By the end of October, the owners expect to open the chain's first New Mexico location in Las Cruces, its third San Antonio location, and a third location in Mexico in Nuevo Laredo. It also is about to begin construction on a location in Monterrey, Mexico.

The Mexico restaurants are part of a joint venture with a Jurez partner that Southern didn't want to name because of safety issues in Mexico.

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El Paso's Wing Daddy's spreading wings with franchising

A students works in the Thorne Bay greenhouse. (Courtesy Megan Fitzpatrick)

There are no restaurants in the 500-person town of Thorne Bay on Prince of Wales Island. But that looks like its going to change. The Southeast Island School District, which serves Thorne Bay and several other rural schools, is buying a vacant restaurant from the city. Theyre going to use food from school greenhouses and a bakery to provide fresh meals for residents and business experience for students.

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The Southeast Island School District, which serves Thorne Bay and several other rural schools, is buying a vacant restaurant from the city. Theyre going to use food from school greenhouses and a bakery to provide fresh meals for residents and business experience for students.

It will be called the Thorne Bay Caf.

The Southeast Island School District hired Susan Powell, a restaurant manager from Oregon, to take charge of the caf. She listed some of the entree possibilities:

Carnitas tacos, cause we have the great tortillas from Coffman Cove. Maybe a taco salad, you know, some Mexican things. A barbeque pork sandwich. A Philly cheese steak or chicken cheese steak. A couple different kinds of soup every day cause were going into winter

Shes still working on the menu. But she plans to use produce from four school greenhouses. And shell get bread and tortillas from a small bakery run by the Coffman Cove school.

I think the main goal is to support the schools and promote their products and to have student involvement, Powell said.

Megan Fitzpatrick is Thorne Bays 7ththrough 12thgrade teacher. She said this restaurant is one more fruit to spring from the labor and success of the student-run greenhouse. The school district starting operating the hydroponic greenhouse in Thorne Bay in February.

Read more from the original source:
Student Greenhouses Prompt Thorne Bay Restaurant Purchase

A file picture of Rebels motorcycle gang members. Picture: Travis Anderson

A member of the Rebels motorcycle gang has been charged with extortion after allegedly threatening a Perth restaurant owner.

In 2014 the restaurant owner employed an Osborne Park construction company to do work on his business.

The owner and the construction company then became involved in a dispute about payment for the work.

Police allege the 50-year-old owner of the construction company hired a member of the Bentley chapter of the Rebels to recover the money he believed he was owed.

The 31-year-old Rebels member allegedly attended the restaurant on a number of occasions, assaulting the owner and threatening violence in an attempt to extort money.

A four-month investigation led to two men being arrested and charged with demanding property by oral threats.

Both due to appear in the Perth Magistrate's Court today.

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Bikie face extortion charges

A file picture of Rebels motorcycle gang members. Picture: Travis Anderson

A member of the Rebels motorcycle gang has been charged with extortion after allegedly threatening a Perth restaurant owner.

In 2014 the restaurant owner employed an Osborne Park construction company to do work on his business.

The owner and the construction company then became involved in a dispute about payment for the work.

Police allege the 50-year-old owner of the construction company hired a member of the Bentley chapter of the Rebels to recover the money he believed he was owed.

The 31-year-old Rebels member allegedly attended the restaurant on a number of occasions, assaulting the owner and threatening violence in an attempt to extort money.

A four-month investigation led to two men being arrested and charged with demanding property by oral threats.

Both due to appear in the Perth Magistrate's Court today.

Continue reading here:
Bikies face extortion charges

The two-story Kettner Exchange, expected to debut in late September, is the latest high-profile restaurant project to locate in Little Italy.

Neighborhood by neighborhood, ambitious restaurateurs are redefining the dining-out identities of San Diegos urban areas, and nowhere is that more evident these days than in Little Italy.

Once known as the tried-and-true haven for the Italian eatery, the still-redeveloping downtown community is now becoming a magnet for more eclectic, eye-popping restaurants that are destinations not only for inventive food but also for hanging out and imbibing craft cocktails. Witness this years high-profile openings of Ironside & Oyster and celebrity chef Richard Blais new home, Juniper & Ivy.

The latest Little Italy addition, expected to debut at the end of this month, is the two-story Kettner Exchange, a $3.6 million project that will have multiple niches for dining and lounging, including a large, upper-level patio with views to San Diego Bay.

While Kettner Exchange developer Matt Spencer is convinced that Little Italy is the go-to destination for hip new concepts, restaurateur John Long is more smitten with East Village and plans to bring his Texas farm-to-pizza concept to the still-maturing downtown area.

Meanwhile, Coronado restaurateur David Spatafore is delivering next month what he says will be the islands first dedicated steakhouse. Hes calling it Stake Chophouse and Bar, located just a block from the Hotel del Coronado.

Heres a look at the restaurants that are reshaping each of their respective neighborhoods.

Rendering of Kettner Exchange interior / Courtesy of Kettner Exchange

Where: 2001 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy (with 18 free parking spaces for diners)

Opening date: Week of Sept. 29

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Restaurant rundown: Buzz in Little Italy

Milanos Atlantic City Submarines has reached a preliminary agreement with Oberer Companies to build a restaurant at the Cornerstone of Centerville development, according to Milanos owner John Slaughenhaupt.

If a final deal is reached, Milanos would open its fifth southwest Ohio location, an 8,000-square-foot restaurant that would seat 300, including about 100 in the indoor-outdoor patio, Slaughenhaupt said. The restaurant would employ as many as 100, and is projected to open in late summer of 2015, he said.

The Milanos would have two full bars and would offer 30 beer taps, including 22 devoted to a rotating selection of craft beers, Slaughenhaupt said. It would have a bit more of a casual sports bar feel, he said.

The Dayton area has been very good to us, and that is what enables us to open new locations, Slaughenhaupt said. We feel good about what the Cornerstone project will bring to the Dayton area and are happy to be a part of that growth.

The new restaurant would be on Feedwire Road directly in front of the Costco Wholesale store that is already under construction at the 156-acre Cornerstone development at Wilmington Pike and Feedwire Road, just off I-675. The specialty grocer Fresh Thyme also has confirmed plans to open a store in the multi-use project, and Kroger officials have said they are considering putting a new store there.

Milanos operates restaurants in Dayton near the University of Dayton, Beavercreek, Miami Twp., and West Chester. For more information, check out the Milanos Atlantic City Submarines Facebook page.

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Milanos plans new restaurant at Cornerstone of Centerville