During the Nov. 20 meeting the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce Board Director Cindy Tafoya had a number of announcements involving the potential business growth coming to Holbrook.
According to Tafoya, not only is Holbrook welcoming another vehicle service station, but also a new food establishment and a few relocations of business already in operation.
Ron and Rhonda Jensen, the new owners of the building where Alley’s Tires once operated at 2421 Navajo Blvd., have confirmed that they will be running a transmission service out of the main garage area of the property.
Tafoya also announced that Trinabops Cakery and Coffee Shop, a local breakfast and lunch hotspot, that has been located at the old Wayside Café at 710 Hopi Drive will be closing its doors for the next few months while renovations on their new location are completed. They will be moving to 2226 Navajo Blvd., where Elsa’s Premier Hair Salon once operated. The opening date has not yet been determined.
The building will not be vacated for long as board member Yvonne Larson announced that she and her family will be opening the old Wayside Café as the Wayside Soda Shop following Trinabops departure. Larson did not have an expected date for the opening but did say that they hope to begin operations in January.
Another restaurant closing their doors and taking their business up the hill is Sombreritos Mexican Food, which is currently operating at 710 Navajo Blvd. The owners stated that their current location has been sold along with the adjoining motel. The owners stated that they will be moving to the Hilltop Café building, located at 2105 Navajo Blvd., but are not sure exactly when the move will take place.
Tafoya also shared that the building that once operated as The Plainsman Restaurant, which has been vacant for several years, has been purchased. Tafoya stated that only the restaurant portion of the property located at 1001 W. Hopi Dr. was purchased but no further details were available.
She also noted that the Hopi Travel Plaza, located at 1851 Highway 77 has been bought. The new owners plan to expand the options available for dining and hope to bring some larger franchises to the building, according to Tafoya.
* In other business, Tafoya gave a brief overview of events to look for in December and early 2020. Tafoya expressed her thanks to Arizona Public Service for their donation of tickets valuing over $600 to see the Milwaukee Bucks play the Phoenix Suns March 8 at Talking Stick Resort Arena for the “Welcome Home Mikey Bud Event.”
The tickets will be raffled off live during the February chamber meeting according to Tafoya with all proceeds going to benefit the activities of the chamber. Tickets can be bought at the chamber office and are $5 each of three for $10. The raffle date has not yet been determined.
In other business, Tafoya attended the Winslow Economic Forum as part of the chamber’s mission to expand their ideals for how they’d like to continue evolving as a chamber and improving the networking between the neighboring communities. As part of her networking mission, Tafoya said she will be meeting with the director of the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce at one of their local events on Dec. 14 to get an idea of what other communities are doing to promote their towns and businesses.
Secretary Colleen Marsh thanked the Boy Scout Troop No. 40 from Phoenix for their contribution to the Holbrook animal shelter. Marsh explained that the scouts added a new coat of paint and made beds for the animals. Marsh also announced that the shelter received a generous private donation in the amount of $10,000 which will go toward modifications for the play area, medical costs and other necessities for the shelter.
Larson also gave a brief description of the pilot program they hope to launch in Holbrook. The program would involve educating select employees of local business establishments to act as ambassadors for the town and the many things it has to offer. Larson explained that as part of the effort to attract tourists and other passersby to the town’s attractions and businesses, the ambassadors will wear something that identifies them as somewhat of a tour guide who can provide varieties of information that will keep the visitors’ interests within the town rather than sending them to the more metropolitan areas for entertainment.
The chamber board voted Janet Dean with Arizona Public Service as the new treasurer. Dean also announced that a program known as Moonshot, which is a non-profit organization centered around helping entrepreneurs develop their ideas, will be bringing their workshops to the area in January. Dean has already coordinated with the company to host the workshops and acquired the funding.
In upcoming events, the chamber announced that the Salsa Fest that was scheduled for Nov. 1 has been moved to January of next year. The Festival of Trees is scheduled for Dec. 5-7 and the annual Parade of Lights will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7. Larson stated that the city has asked that all vending during the parade now take place on Arizona Street between Our Lady of Guadalupe Recreation Center and Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and vendors will no longer be permitted to set up at Gillespie Park. Tafoya announced that Light Up Holbrook ballots are available until Dec. 3. This annual event encourages citizens to light up their homes and businesses for the holidays.
In addition, the 12 Days of Shopping will begin on Dec. 14 and continue through Dec. 24, where special discounts will be offered by local businesses. Light Up Holbrook will also be taking place featuring businesses and homes decorated for the holidays. For details and more information on holiday events, contact Tafoya at the chamber office by calling (928) 524-6558.
