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.
Tempe ·
Street League Skateboarding comes to Mullett Arena in Tempe on Aug. 29. The same weekend, downtown has Flux Pavilion at Sunbar on Aug. 28, and ASU opens its football season against Morgan State at Mountain America Stadium on Sept. 5.
Source: Visit Phoenix
Buckeye ·
ADOT, the City of Buckeye and the Maricopa Association of Governments are starting Phase 1 of the Interstate 10 and Jackrabbit Trail interchange rebuild this month. The work widens interchange ramps, adds turning lanes, rebuilds the I-10 bridges over Jackrabbit Trail, and expands Jackrabbit Trail to three lanes in each direction from south of McDowell Road to south of I-10. The overall budget is about $176.26 million and Phase 1 is expected to take roughly two years. ADOT has tentatively planned to close the I-10 ramps the weekend of Sept. 12 to 13.
Source: InBuckeye
Chandler ·
All Copy Products and its IT division Verticomm completed a 39,000-square-foot office and warehouse at 6640 W. Chicago St., with 19,400 square feet of office and 20,000 square feet of warehouse. The building has a two-story office with a client demonstration room, a freight elevator, a mezzanine over the warehouse and an onsite fitness center. The company employs nearly 50 full-time people in Chandler and is actively recruiting, with a grand opening planned for fall 2026.
Source: City of Chandler
Gilbert ·
The Escape Game opened its first Arizona location in downtown Gilbert in late July, with five rooms: Murder with a Side of Meatballs, The Heist, The Depths, Cosmic Crisis and Ruins: Forbidden Treasure. Each is a custom-built set designed to be solved in about 60 minutes. Co-founder Jonathan Murrell called opening in Arizona “a milestone we've been looking forward to.”
Source: Gilbert Sun News
Mesa ·
Angie's named Alma School Road and Guadalupe Road, plus Crismon Road and Southern Avenue, among nine new Arizona restaurants. The fast-food chain serves salads, warm bowls, burritos, burgers, fried chicken, seafood and breakfast, with chicken, steak, salmon, shrimp or falafel. The company said it hopes to open the first three within six weeks and the rest by the end of the year; it has not said which three.
Source: What Now Phoenix
Peoria ·
Saddleback, a 5,300-acre master-planned community under development in Peoria by Austin-based Castle Hill Partners, opened the first model homes in its inaugural village, Saltbrush. At full buildout it is entitled for about 6,500 single-family homes, multifamily housing, resort-style amenities, a resort and up to 2 million square feet of commercial space. The plan is built around outdoor recreation and desert preservation, with more than 60 miles of trails.
Source: Arizona Digital Free Press
Phoenix ·
After two years at 116 E. Roosevelt St., the locally and women-owned dumpling shop is moving to 1001 N. Central Ave., Suite 100, into roughly 2,984 square feet. Lovebite builds customizable Lovebox bowls over pink rice, noodles or greens. The liquor license application lists Sept. 1 as an estimated renovation completion date; an opening date has not been announced.
Source: What Now PhoenixQueen Creek ·
Queen Creek is one of nine new Arizona locations Angie's announced, at Ironwood and Pima roads. The fast-food chain serves salads, warm bowls, burritos, burgers, fried chicken, seafood and breakfast. The company said it hopes to open the first three within six weeks and the remaining locations by the end of the year, without saying which three.
Source: What Now Phoenix
Scottsdale ·
Hill House Home, the New York brand known for the Nap Dress, signed for 2,250 square feet on 73rd Street at Scottsdale Quarter. It is the label's first store in Arizona and its first in the Southwest, opening later this summer or early fall. Los Angeles label L'AGENCE takes 2,408 square feet in The Quad in early 2027.
Source: KTAR
Surprise ·
The Surprise Senior Expo and Resource Fair runs Tuesday, Aug. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon at 19116 N. Colonnade Way, and is listed as free. It connects seniors and caregivers with local services covering health, wellness and senior living.
Source: AllEvents Surprise
Tempe ·
Cavender's is listed as coming soon in the Arizona Mills directory at 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, part of a small Valley expansion by the western wear chain. No opening date has been announced for the Tempe store.
Source: What Now PhoenixBuckeye ·
The city's calendar has free Fitness in the Park classes beginning Sept. 14. Movies in the Park then runs five nights across five parks: Earl Edgar Park on Oct. 3, Town Park on Oct. 9, Festival Foothills Park on Oct. 14, Tartesso Sports Park on Oct. 30 and Sundance Park on Nov. 7.
Source: City of Buckeye
Gilbert ·
GPD on Ice runs Saturday, Aug. 15 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at AZ Ice Gilbert. The event listing shows it as free to attend.
Source: AllEvents Gilbert
Glendale ·
The Baked Bear is listed as coming soon in the Westgate Entertainment District directory. The chain builds ice cream sandwiches to order, letting customers pick their cookies and their scoop. No opening date has been posted yet.
Source: Westgate Entertainment District
Mesa ·
Handel's Homemade Ice Cream held its grand opening Thursday, Aug. 13 at Medina Station, 1361 S. Signal Butte Road. The 1,400 square foot walk-up scoop shop serves 48 rotating flavors and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The first 100 guests in line were given prizes including free ice cream for a year and free pints for a year.
Source: Handel's press release
Phoenix ·
The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers play Mortgage Matchup Center at 7 p.m. Saturday, Ne-Yo and Akon are at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre at 8 p.m., and Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer runs at 6:30 p.m. in Phoenix Art Museum's Whiteman Hall. Les Miserables plays the Phoenix Theatre Company at 7 p.m. Sunday.
Source: AllEvents Phoenix
Queen Creek ·
Rosati's Pizza is preparing to open its first Queen Creek location at 25166 S. Ellsworth Road, Suite B101, between Johnson Ranch and Power Ranch. Owners Lee and Heather Kroll already operate several Arizona locations. Work is in the final stages, with kitchen hoods set for inspection and a second oven on the way. No opening date has been announced.
Source: What Now PhoenixScottsdale ·
Bierman Autism Centers in Scottsdale is hosting a free sensory-friendly Touch-a-Truck on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon, with fire trucks, police cars and other emergency vehicles for kids to explore. A free Pure Barre pop-up class runs the same morning from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Source: AllEvents ScottsdaleSurprise ·
Lightwork Lounge is holding a grand reopening celebration on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 11340 W. Bell Road, Suite 114. The event listing describes it as free to attend.
Source: AllEvents SurpriseTempe ·
The Summer Vacay Sketch Show Getaway runs Saturday, Aug. 15 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Tempe Center for the Arts. Friday night, Dave and Buster's Tempe Marketplace hosts a free rooftop event from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Source: AllEvents TempeGilbert ·
Better Buzz Coffee, Handel's Ice Cream, Jersey Mike's, Nook Kitchen, Over Easy, EDO Japan, Rebel Wine Lounge, Phantom Fox Brewery, Outcast Doughnuts, Level 1 Arcade Bar, Sweathouz and Honey Go Nails are all named for The Gilmore at Val Vista and Germann. Retail spaces are expected to begin opening in late 2026.
Source: Shopping Center BusinessMesa ·
Gathering of the Ghouls runs Aug. 22-23 at the Mesa Convention Center with 13 celebrity guests, 100-plus horror vendors, panels, cosplay and HorrorBILLY contests, and a haunted house walkthrough included with admission. Vendor booths are sold out. Tickets are online and prices go up at the door.
Source: Gathering of the GhoulsPhoenix ·
The Mercury induct Diana Taurasi into the Ring of Honor on Aug. 16 against the Portland Fire and retire her No. 3. She becomes the sixth honoree, joining Cheryl Miller, Jennifer Gillom, Bridget Pettis, Penny Taylor and Michele Timms.
Source: Phoenix Mercury
Queen Creek ·
The city's new-business list marks Chipotle, Mountainside Fitness and Pet Supplies Plus as coming soon at Gantzel and Combs roads. Also listed: The Perch at Ellsworth and Munoz, Habit Burger Grill, Applebee's at Queen Creek Marketplace and Jinya Ramen Bar, the one entry with a window, early 2026. No opening dates are posted for the rest.
Source: Explore Queen Creek
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