Shop Talk-- What to look for in the second half of the year
For those of you keeping track, we're officially in the second half of 2011.
Perhaps you're wondering where the first half went. Or maybe you're panicking because you're far from completing all the New Year's resolutions you made.
For Shop Talk, I'll use it as a chance to look back at the past six months and share what to expect in the months to come.
Restaurants
All things considered, it's been a solid first half for the local restaurant industry.
Several new restaurants opened their doors to eager Valley diners looking for something new. Creekside West, which opened earlier this year at 40th and Washington avenues, appears to be maintaining its opening day momentum, judging from the full parking lots during most nights of the week.
Another eatery getting some new-restaurant buzz is 5 North, the reincarnation of The Greystone at 5 N. Front St. While some of The Greystone's regulars may be yearning for the past, most have been responsive to owner Brad Masset's revamped bar and menu.
In the quicvice category, diners were introduced to Memo's, a 24-hour Mexican quick-casual concept from Western Washington, when it opened a location on South First Street.
And I would be remiss to talk about the restaurant industry without mentioning all the new cupcake businesses; can Yakima support all of them?
Restaurants also faced challenges, however. Diners paid higher checks as gas prices and rising commodity prices forced many restaurants from fast food joints to fine dining establishments to raise menu prices.
The cold and rainy spring in the Yakima Valley delayed many crops, such as asparagus, forcing restaurants to offer winter produce for a few extra weeks and to hold out on their spring and summer menu items.
What to watch for in the second half:
* Taco Bell is arriving in West Valley with a new location, now under construction at the Orchards Shopping Center at 72nd Avenue and Tieton Drive.
* It seems that TSS Yogurt's plans to open at the Westpark shopping center on 40th and Summitview avenues are currently frozen (pun intended). Will consumers see a thaw in the coming months?
* On North First Street, there are signs that the former Twin Bridges Inn is making a comeback. There are building permit and business applications for the eatery at 1315 N. First St., but it's unclear whether there will be any major changes.
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