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.
Surprise ·
The 16U Perfect Game Fall National Championship runs Sept. 18 to 21 at the Surprise Spring Training Complex, and the 17U Fall Nationals follow on Sept. 25 to 28. Both are played on the Royals and Rangers spring training fields, so there is live baseball in Surprise months before spring training.
Source: Perfect Game
Tempe ·
Phoenix New Times reports Culinary Gangster opens Aug. 27 at 501 S. Mill Ave., Mea Culpa follows Sept. 25 at 52 E. Rio Salado Parkway, and Carmen is targeting late September to early October at 640 S. Mill Ave. Phantom Fox Beer Co. and Goat and Ram are still listed for Oct. 8.
Source: Phoenix New Times
Buckeye ·
InBuckeye published a rundown on August 22 of where Buckeye goes for board games, miniatures and card play, covering gaming shops through miniature and hobby stores in town. The short version is that the drive into Phoenix is no longer the only option for tabletop players out here.
Source: InBuckeye
Cave Creek ·
City Sun Times ran a local landmarks piece on August 13 tracing Cave Creek's historical milestones, including El Encanto Mexican Cuisine. The building was originally founded as Black Mountain Gas Company in 1952 and played a part in bringing natural gas service to Cave Creek and Carefree as both communities grew.
Source: City Sun Times
Peoria ·
KTAR reports Flower Child is opening at The Trailhead, 8226 W. Happy Valley Road in Peoria, and that the location is expected to open later this year. The same report lists Goodyear and Surprise locations in the same expansion. An exact opening date has not been announced.
Source: KTAR
Phoenix ·
KTAR reports the Arizona State Fair has set its 2026 dates for October 1 through November 1 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix, open Thursdays through Sundays. This year's theme is A State of Wonder. Ticket pricing and the daily entertainment lineup are not in that announcement, so check the fair's own site before you plan a night around it.
Source: KTARSurprise ·
KTAR reports Flower Child is heading to Village at Prasada in Surprise, with the location expected to open in late 2027. It joins a Prasada tenant list that already includes Portillo's, Shake Shack and Target. No address or exact date has been announced for the Surprise restaurant.
Source: KTARCave Creek ·
The museum's general info page lists its season as Oct. 1 through May 31 at 6140 E. Skyline Drive. Hours are 1 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Admission is not listed on that page, so confirm the price before you go.
Source: Cave Creek Museum
Chandler ·
PHOENIX magazine's July openings roundup puts Blue Donkey Greek Eats at 3120 S. Gilbert Road, serving souvlaki pitas and spanakopita, and Curry Pizza House at 3950 W. Ray Road, doing Indian pizza alongside traditional pies. Maza Mediterranean Cuisine, halal, is listed at 3491 W. Frye Road.
Source: PHOENIX magazine
Gilbert ·
PHOENIX magazine's July openings roundup lists Chicko Chicken at 1395 E. Warner Road as the Korean-fried-chicken chain's first Arizona location. Gilbert also picked up Bottles & Boards, a wine bar doing cocktails and charcuterie at 1525 N. Gilbert Road.
Source: PHOENIX magazine
Glendale ·
PHOENIX magazine's July openings roundup lists Best of Bengal at 6002 N. 67th Avenue, doing Bangladeshi home-style cooking, and Gyro Kitchen at 4330 W. Union Hills Drive, described as scratch-cooked Mediterranean.
Source: PHOENIX magazine
Maricopa ·
The official Stagecoach Days site has this year's celebration down for October 15th to October 28th. The lineup it names includes Pecan Pride, the Multigenerational Game Night, the Neon Cowboy Fun Run, the return of Salsa Fest, carnival rides and live entertainment. Hours, venue and admission are not posted on that page yet, so check back before you plan a day around it.
Source: Maricopa Stagecoach Days
Mesa ·
Salt River Tubing lists a tube rental with shuttle at $28, launching from 9200 North Bush Highway in Mesa. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. The company puts the last day of the 2026 season at the end of September and notes it is subject to change, so the next few weekends are the window.
Source: Salt River TubingPeoria ·
PHOENIX magazine's July openings roundup lists Kawaii Sushi & Asian Cuisine at 29883 N. El Mirage Road, an Asian restaurant built around a sushi menu.
Source: PHOENIX magazinePhoenix ·
PHOENIX magazine's July openings roundup lists Abuela's Fry Bread Co. at 4825 N. Warner Road in Ahwatukee, doing frybread and burritos.
Source: PHOENIX magazine
Queen Creek ·
PHOENIX magazine's July openings roundup lists Queen Creek Public House at 22002 S. Ellsworth Road, in the space that was formerly Badlands. The magazine describes the menu as pub grub standards.
Source: PHOENIX magazine
Scottsdale ·
PHOENIX magazine's July openings roundup lists Problem Restaurant & Lounge at 341 E. Sixth Avenue in Old Town, described as elevated cuisine and refined cocktails, and Bombay House at 8140 N. Hayden Road with a lunch and dinner buffet. Vilva's Indian Cuisine, fine-dining regional Indian, opened in June at 10434 E. Jomax Road.
Source: PHOENIX magazineTempe ·
PHOENIX magazine's July openings roundup lists Bar Ocho at 715 S. Rural Road, doing street tacos, smashburgers, crispy habanero wings and handcrafted cocktails. Delhi Palace also relocated to 801 E. Apache Boulevard with curries, tandoori and an unlimited buffet.
Source: PHOENIX magazineCave Creek ·
Carefree Fit holds a one-hour stabilizer and myofascial-release class Monday, Aug. 24 at 7 a.m. at 101 Easy Street in Carefree. The town calendar describes a total-body class focused on strength and balance and links to registration details.
Source: Town of CarefreeCave Creek ·
The Cave Creek Visitors Guide has the 33rd Annual Fall Carefree Garden Art Experience down for Nov. 7 and 8. It lands right between the other two things on the fall board: Taste of Cave Creek on Oct. 14 and 15, and the Hidden in the Hills artist studio tour over Nov. 20 to 22 and Nov. 27 to 29. The Carefree Art & Wine Festival and the Stagecoach Village Fine Art & Wine Festival are listed for the 2026-2027 season with dates still to come.
Source: Cave Creek Visitors GuideCave Creek ·
Chabad of Carefree hosts Shofar at the Pavilion Sunday, Sept. 13 at 12:30 p.m. at the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion, 101 Easy Street. The town calendar says the Rosh Hashanah gathering includes the sounding of the shofar, apples and honey, honey cake and other refreshments, and is open to all.
Source: Town of Carefree
Cave Creek ·
Creekers is preparing to open this August at 6554 E. Cave Creek Road, Suite 14. The locally owned New American restaurant grew from a burger pop-up and plans a focused menu built around familiar food made from scratch, including a burger, beer and fries special for $15.
Source: Cave Creek Independent
Cave Creek ·
Dynamite Beer Company's official Cave Creek page now says the location is coming in 2026. The brewery has not published a street address or exact opening date on that page, so both details remain unannounced.
Source: Dynamite Beer CompanyCave Creek ·
The Town of Cave Creek is supporting a community food drive for Foothills Food Bank. The town says the effort is focused on basic goods that can help feed local families and children; residents should check the town notice for current donation instructions before dropping anything off.
Source: Town of Cave Creek
