The Valley Now archive
746 dated briefs from across the Phoenix Valley. Older stories preserve what was reported at the time; opening details can change.
Gilbert ·
Phase one covers 10 acres in the Heritage District with 288 residences, 30,000 square feet of retail and a public courtyard. Ghost Donkey, Palma and Blue Sushi Sake Grill are the announced restaurants.
Source: AZ Big Media
Goodyear ·
The acai bowl shop is planned for a fall 2026 opening on the Civic Square side of GSQ. Zara Nail Bar is also expected there by the end of the year, in about 3,000 square feet.
Source: AZ Big Media
Peoria ·
The musical is on stage at Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Ln. in Peoria, through Sept. 13. Check the theatre for showtimes and tickets.
Source: PHOENIX magazine
San Tan Valley ·
The drive-thru coffee chain opens Monday, Sept. 14 at the northwest corner of Ironwood and Ocotillo, just over the line in the Town of Queen Creek on San Tan Valley's north edge.
Source: SanTanValley.com
Tempe ·
Downtown Tempe lists Carmen at Sixth and Mill with an estimated fall 2026 opening, part of a run of new Mill Avenue spots that also includes Rally House and Novel Ice Cream.
Source: Downtown Tempe Authority
Apache Junction ·
The city announced Sept. 2 that it is planning a 22-acre municipal expansion near Ironwood and Horton drives. The site is planned to hold a library, a park and a police substation.
Source: City of Apache Junction
Avondale ·
Avondale's free trick-or-treat night runs Thursday, Oct. 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. at 4155 S. El Mirage Road. More than 20 themed booths hosted by city departments and community exhibitors hand out candy and treats, and visitors vote for the best decorated booth. There are also free spooky crafts, face painting, a costume contest and a live DJ.
Source: City of Avondale
Casa Grande ·
Casa Grande's Fly-In Breakfast returns Saturday, Sept. 26 at the municipal airport. The city also has a 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance listed that morning and Celebra downtown the night before, on Sept. 25 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Source: City of Casa Grande
Chandler ·
Atomic Comics reopened Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 2974 N. Alma School Road, Suite 5. Founder Mike Malve started the chain in the mid-1980s and grew it to Mesa, Metrocenter, Chandler and Paradise Valley before it closed in 2011. The grand opening celebration is Saturday, Sept. 5 from 1 to 5 p.m. and includes a signing with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman.
Source: Nerdvana
Coolidge ·
Clark Pacific announced Sept. 3 that it has broken ground on a new manufacturing plant in Coolidge that will cover 110 acres when finished. The company makes prefabricated building systems and says the site has already created 30 manufacturing and engineering jobs, with about 70 more expected by the end of the year. Production starts immediately in a temporary facility while the permanent plant is built in phases, with the final phase scheduled for completion by spring 2027. The company says the plant will triple its production capacity.
Source: PR Newswire
Gilbert ·
Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill is planning its flagship Arizona restaurant at 2218 E. Williams Field Road. The chain runs 18 locations, all of them in California, so Gilbert would be its first outside the state. The menu runs to smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs, grilled steaks, seafood and burgers; an Arizona menu has not been released. The company says it expects to open in early fall 2027 and has not set an exact date.
Source: What Now Phoenix
Glendale ·
The International Economic Development Council gave Glendale a 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Award for Experience Glendale Day, the celebration held for the Convention & Visitors Bureau's rebrand launch. The city's economic development team picks up the recognition at IEDC's annual conference Oct. 25 to 28 in New Orleans.
Source: City of Glendale
Goodyear ·
Goodyear says Nordstrom Rack will open a 25,000-square-foot store at GSQ in spring 2027. Kura Revolving Sushi Bar and a Veterinary Emergency Group are listed for 2026, and High Tide Seafood Bar & Grill, Shake Shack, MIYU Nails & Spa, Black Rock Coffee Bar and The Yard are listed as coming soon without dates. Mayor Joe Pizzillo said GSQ "is rapidly becoming one of the West Valley's premier destinations."
Source: ABC15 Arizona
Maricopa ·
The city launched an Artist Spotlight program on Sept. 3 that puts work by local artists on display at City Hall. Pam Sutton is the first artist featured. The program is open to Maricopa artists and rotates.
Source: City of MaricopaPeoria ·
everbowl, the superfood bowl chain with more than 100 locations nationwide, holds its grand opening Friday, Sept. 4 at 8402 W. Thunderbird Rd, Suite B102. The menu is acai and superfood bowls, smoothies and toasts. The shop is owned and operated by Melissa and Darrin Grove, who ran a friends-and-family night on Sept. 3 where the first 300 guests got a free bowl while supplies lasted.
Source: QSR Magazine
Phoenix ·
Mendocino Farms opened Sept. 1 at 4325 E. Indian School Road, Suite 150, its third Valley location after Gainey Ranch and north Scottsdale. The fast-casual chain builds chef-driven sandwiches and salads around peak-season ingredients and keeps a kids' menu. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Source: What Now Phoenix
Queen Creek ·
ProteinHouse has signed a lease at Magma Plaza, on the southeast corner of Ocotillo Road and Heritage Loop Road. It would be the brand's sixth Arizona restaurant, joining Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert and Tempe. The menu covers breakfast, pancakes, bowls, salads, burgers, wraps, acai bowls, protein shakes, juices, desserts and a kids' selection. The exact address and opening timeline have not been released.
Source: What Now Phoenix
Scottsdale ·
The Texas bootmaker's Scottsdale Fashion Square store is officially open, and the mall lists grand opening celebration activities with live entertainment running through Sunday, Sept. 6. Tecovas sells handmade Western boots, leather goods and apparel.
Source: Scottsdale Fashion Square
Chandler ·
The Mexicano is expected to open at the Shoppes at Chandler Fashion Center this fall. It arrives as the mall approaches its 25th anniversary and reworks its dining and retail lineup, which also includes Seafood City, a first-to-market Filipino grocery store with in-house restaurants, and J.Crew Factory. Din Tai Fung is scheduled for 2027.
Source: KTAR NewsMaricopa ·
Orlie's Taproom is planned for the Legacy at Porter retail center near Porter and Applegate roads, taking roughly 1,500 square feet. Founder Jason Martin, who named it for his son Orlie, plans 30 rotating taps, curated wines, a dog-friendly patio and a space built for community. Construction timelines are still being finalized as design continues, and the developer hopes to break ground within the next few months. No opening date has been announced.
Source: InMaricopa
Mesa ·
Arizona Churn Culture is preparing to open at 1235 S. Gilbert Road, Suite 12, in what its founders say will be Arizona's first dedicated butter shop. The shop sells handcrafted butter, and the founders spent seven months selling at farmers markets across the Valley before taking the space. It was expected to open in late August or early September.
Source: What Now PhoenixQueen Creek ·
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the location for the Queen Creek Arizona Temple. The 82,000-square-foot temple is planned for northeastern Queen Creek, south of Ranch Road and north of Queen Creek Road, on a 15.5-acre site within a 7-mile radius of Mesa Gateway Airport and the ASU Polytechnic campus. A meetinghouse and an ancillary building will share the grounds. A coordinating site map was published Aug. 31. The site has been announced; no groundbreaking date has been given.
Source: Church News
Scottsdale ·
Parks and Rec Rewind 75 lands Saturday, Sept. 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Scottsdale Civic Center, tied to the city's 75th anniversary. Scottsdale incorporated in 1951. The free event includes a DJ spinning hits from every decade, a retro arcade, mini golf, decade-inspired crafts, throwback photo ops, a historic exhibit, food vendors and a cocktail garden.
Source: City of ScottsdaleCasa Grande ·
The Halloween Harvest Festival runs Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Paul Mason Sports Complex in Casa Grande. The city says more than 3,000 attendees are expected and is taking exhibitors and sponsors. Separately, registration for the city's Youth Basketball League opened Tuesday, Sept. 1 for ages 7 to 13 at $65 per participant, and select Fall 2026 recreation programs are open for registration.
Source: City of Casa Grande
