746 dated briefs from across the Phoenix Valley. Older stories preserve what was reported at the time; opening details can change.
Archived stories
Phoenix viewed from the surrounding hills. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Bigmikebmw · CC BY-SA 3.0
Harry & Izzy's, an American grill from the team behind the historic St. Elmo Steak House in Indianapolis, is set to open in August at 12770 N. Tatum Blvd. Phoenix New Times reports the restaurant runs 8,300 square feet with an expansive bar and a patio overlooking the park. The menu features the shrimp cocktail the St. Elmo team is known for, along with steaks, seafood, salads and sandwiches. No exact opening date has been announced.
Source: Phoenix New TimesQueen Creek Town Hall. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Tony the Marine · CC BY-SA 3.0
Queen Creek Feastival runs Friday nights this month on August 7, 14 and 21 from 5:30 to 9 p.m., set up on Ellsworth Loop at Aldecoa Drive between QT and the Queen Creek Fire Department at 22300 S. Summers Pl. The town's pitch for the food truck gathering is straightforward: make Friday night food trucks a new tradition.
Smiling Moose Sandwich Grill, the Colorado-born sandwich brand, opens its first Valley location in Scottsdale on Monday, August 17, running 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on opening day. Arizona Foothills Magazine reports the first 100 guests through the doors will receive a free six-inch Original Mo sandwich along with a $50 Adidas gift card. The ownership group includes NBA star James Harden, who said he is excited to be part of the team bringing the brand to Scottsdale.
Source: Arizona Foothills MagazineSurprise Lake. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: RandomMainstream · CC0
Registration for the City of Surprise Tot Time program opens for residents on Monday, August 10, with non-resident registration opening August 17. The state-licensed program serves kids ages three to five and focuses on kindergarten readiness through circle time, arts and crafts, learning centers and social skills building. The 2026-2027 year runs September 8 through May 13 at Sierra Montana Recreation Center and Countryside Recreation Center, Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is in person at 15960 N. Bullard Ave. and space is limited.
Source: City of SurpriseThe Tempe skyline. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Siphonophora · CC BY-SA 4.0
ASU move-in weekend runs August 13 to 16, according to the Downtown Tempe events calendar, and it is the annual moment downtown Tempe shifts from summer-quiet back to full volume. Worth planning around if you have gotten used to easy parking on Mill Avenue, and worth preparing for if you run a business down there.
Source: Downtown TempeVerrado in Buckeye. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Adam Zaklikowski · CC BY 3.0
AZ Big Media reported in March that OHSO Brewery, Paris Baguette, BJ's Restaurant and Chili's Grill & Bar are joining the lineup at Verrado Marketplace in Buckeye, with the new wave set for 2026. They join previously announced tenants including Shake Shack, Salt Tacos + Tequila, Handel's Ice Cream, Sourdough & Co., Einstein Bros Bagels, Nekter Juice Bar, Thai Chili and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. No individual opening dates have been announced.
Source: AZ Big MediaWater-safety activity photograph; not a record of the announced Desert Oasis session. Image source: City of Chandler
The City of Chandler lists its final Water You Doing pop-up of the summer on Aug. 15 from noon to 2 p.m. at Desert Oasis Aquatic Center. Entry is free, and the city says attendees explore water safety fundamentals and receive a custom-fitted U.S. Coast Guard-certified life jacket, plus public swim.
Source: City of ChandlerThe Buzzed Goat brand photography; not the planned SanTan Village location. Image source: What Now Phoenix
What Now Phoenix reports The Buzzed Goat Coffee Company is opening its third Arizona location at 2795 S. Market St., Suite 110, in SanTan Village Marketplace, the former Which Wich space. The team got keys in late July and is hoping to open in September, with a full espresso bar, craft cocktails, beer, wine and small bites.
Source: What Now PhoenixThe historic Woolworth building in Glendale. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Marine 69-71 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Visit Downtown Glendale lists the Sunday Brunch Art Crawl on the last Sunday of every month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Historic Downtown Glendale, which puts the next one on Aug. 30. The same calendar has the 22nd Annual Teddy Bear Day on Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dates and times are subject to change.
Source: Visit Downtown GlendaleDowntown Mesa. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Ixnayonthetimmay · CC BY 3.0
The Mesa events calendar lists Art After Dark, a run of extended-hours museum programs at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., from Aug. 14 through Aug. 20. The same calendar has a ribbon cutting for BRKTHROUGH on Aug. 4 from 3 to 4 p.m., and Roger Daltrey's A Great Night Out at the Ikeda Theater on Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Source: Best in MesaPhoenix viewed from the surrounding hills. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Bigmikebmw · CC BY-SA 3.0
What Now Phoenix reports PRESS Coffee opens its 20th Valley location on Aug. 8 inside Sprouts' new corporate headquarters at 20700 N. 56th Street in north Phoenix. The 700-square-foot cafe seats 18 and is open to the public. During the Aug. 8 and Aug. 9 grand opening, the first 20 guests each day get a $5 PRESS gift card.
Source: What Now PhoenixQueen Creek Town Hall. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Tony the Marine · CC BY-SA 3.0
Explore Queen Creek's new business list has Queen Creek Barbecue Co. and The Sacred Pint both marked now open in downtown Queen Creek. The same list adds Habit Burger Grill along the Queen Creek and Ellsworth corridor, plus Mountainside Fitness, Pet Supplies Plus and Chipotle at Gantzel and Combs, all marked coming soon.
Source: Explore Queen CreekThe Tempe skyline. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Siphonophora · CC BY-SA 4.0
KTAR reports KUIU is opening its first Arizona store at Tempe Marketplace in a 6,000-square-foot space later this summer. Tommy Hilfiger, Coach and Glo Tanning are all listed for late 2026 at the same center, where Carhartt's first stand-alone Phoenix-metro store is already open.
Source: KTARAn aerial view of Chandler. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Chris J · CC BY-SA 2.0
Chandler Fashion Center's events page lists a Johnny Rockets opening Aug. 3 in the food court, a Peloton grand opening Aug. 6 on the lower level just outside Macy's, and a GARAGE grand opening Aug. 8. Aerie also marks its 20th anniversary with a weekend of savings and treats running Aug. 6 through Aug. 9.
Source: Chandler Fashion CenterBojangles restaurant photograph from the Gilbert opening coverage. Image source: ABC15
Bojangles opened its first Arizona location at 3765 S. Val Vista Drive in Gilbert. ABC15 reported the chain, known for its buttermilk biscuits and sweet tea, set the opening for Monday, July 20 at 5 a.m. after pushing the original date back by a week.
Source: ABC15The historic Woolworth building in Glendale. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Marine 69-71 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Historic Downtown Glendale has Teddy Bear Day on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. across the Catlin Court and Old Towne districts, with arts and crafts, bear themed activities and a charity drive benefiting the Trauma Teddy Program. Summerween comes first, on Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Source: Visit Downtown GlendaleDowntown Mesa. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Ixnayonthetimmay · CC BY 3.0
The Mesa events calendar lists a Handel's Ice Cream ribbon cutting on Wednesday, Aug. 12 from 3 to 4 p.m., with a second Handel's ribbon cutting listed for Aug. 26 from 4 to 5 p.m. Handel's is known for ice cream made fresh in store.
Source: Best in MesaPhoenix viewed from the surrounding hills. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Bigmikebmw · CC BY-SA 3.0
Artlink's First Fridays Art Walk runs the first Friday of every month in downtown Phoenix, and August's lands on Friday, Aug. 7. Artlink says many venues are open free to the public each month, and posts a map of participating artists, businesses and galleries.
Source: Artlink PhoenixQueen Creek Town Hall. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Tony the Marine · CC BY-SA 3.0
Explore Queen Creek's new business list has Shake Shack and Postino Wine Cafe both marked coming soon at the northeast corner of Ellsworth Loop and Ocotillo, alongside Snooze. The Perch, Habit Burger Grill, Applebee's and Jinya Ramen Bar are on the same list. No opening dates are posted yet.
Source: Explore Queen CreekThe Scottsdale Waterfront. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Joseph Plotz · CC BY 3.0
Old Town Scottsdale's events listing has Bar Brawl at Hotel Valley Ho running Sundays from July 26 through Aug. 23, a bartender competition with live music and refreshments. Wilde Meyer Gallery's Vibrant Visions exhibition also runs the month of August at 4142 N. Marshall Way, open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Source: Old Town ScottsdaleMill Avenue streetscape. Area context; the planned pool hall interior is not pictured. Image source: Phoenix New Times
Phoenix New Times reported that RePUBLic, a bar and grill with pool tables taking over the former Zuma Grill and Mill Cue Club spaces just south of Sixth Street, and an expansion of C.A.S.A. adding dine in and walk up service, are "both projected to open in August 2026." Projected, not yet confirmed.
Source: Phoenix New TimesVerrado in Buckeye. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Adam Zaklikowski · CC BY 3.0
The city's free community swim day returns Aug. 22, noon to 5pm. Sundance Park's splash pad, fishing lake and dog park stay open daily through Oct. 31.
Source: City of BuckeyeThe Gilbert Heritage District. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Tony the Marine ( talk ) · CC BY-SA 3.0
The 35-acre mixed-use development at the northwest corner of Val Vista Drive and Germann Road, just off Loop 202, expects retailers to begin opening in the latter half of 2026.
Source: City of GilbertDowntown Mesa. Area context photograph; the business or event in this story is not pictured. Photo: Ixnayonthetimmay · CC BY 3.0
"Destination at Gateway" is advancing at the State Route 24 interchange at Signal Butte Road, bringing an auto mall and retail center to the area. Site work is expected to wrap by the third quarter of 2026.
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