An all-natural lemonade stand that started in Maui in 2012 has come to the mainland.
Wow Wow Lemonade Stand leased 1,485 square feet with a drive-thru window at 7705 N. Oracle Road and opened this week.
Local owner Jeff Laird got his first taste of the tropical treats while vacationing in Hawaii.
βI knew immediately following my first Wow Wow experience in Hawaii that I needed to get involved with the brand further,β he said. βMy family and I saw a need for a healthy, high-quality food option in the greater Tucson area, and we could not be more thrilled to be able to bring this to our local community.β
Wow Wow offers flavors from classic lemonade to strawberry pineapple, butterfly mojito and the lava flow lemonade.
Foods include Black Lava Flatbread sandwiches, Island Berry Grain bowls, Superfruit Pitaya bowls and Chili Lime Avocado toast.
Customers who buy their drinks in a reusable mason jar receive a discount on their next purchase if they bring it in for a refill.
The new Wow Wow is open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Founded in Maui in 2012 as a stand, it grew to a trailer and opened its first brick-and-mortar shop on the island in 2014.
Chris Ray, with Catalyst Commercial Group, represented Wow Wow in its lease with landlord Town West Realty.
Other recent commercial transactions include:
DIVISM LLC bought an 8,556-square-foot office building at 9302 E. 22nd St. from Tucson Portfolio 4 LLC for $2.1 million. Jon OβShea of Vast Commercial Real Estate represented the seller, and Sean Westfall, with Echo West Capital Advisors, represented the buyer.
Ventana Canyon Investments LLC bought the 12-unit Brick Homes of Geronimo complex at 3449, 3471, 3473 N. Geronimo Ave. and 350 E. Yavapai Road from BRInc Financial LLC for $1 million. Allan Mendelsberg and Conrad Martinez, with Picor, represented both parties.
Biggan Properties LLC bought a 2,083-square-foot office building in Old Farm Executive Park, 6019 E. Grant Road, from Fox Hollow Enterprises LLC for $387,500. Thomas J. Nieman, with Picor, represented the seller, and Joseph Nehls, with Sunvest Commercial Inc., represented the buyer.
Cam Vo and Trung Truong bought 1,066 square feet of retail space in Jacinto Plaza, 2567 N. First Ave. for $117,260 to open Abstract Aquariums. Craig Finfrock of Commercial Retail Advisors LLC represented the seller, Lisa McCullough.
Starry Sky LLC, dba Cactus Quilt Shop, leased 5,466 square feet at Casa Blanca Plaza, 6032 N. Oracle Road. Isaac Figueroa, with Larsen Baker, represented the landlord, Casa Blanca Plaza LLC. Michael Coretz, with Commercial Real Estate Group of Tucson, represented the tenant.
10+ restaurants and bars Tucson said goodbye to in 2021
Bentley's House of Coffee & Tea
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βWe couldnβt bring back the magic,β says Jo Schneider of her longtime Tucson diner, Bentleyβs House of Coffee & Tea, 1730 E. Speedway.
After reopening in September after an 18-month closure, Bentley's House of Coffee and Tea closed for good on Dec. 29, 2021.Β
The diner, at 1730 E. Speedway Blvd., was opened 38 years ago by JoΒ Schneider, whose family also owns LaCo Tucson at 201 N. Court Ave. LaCo will remain open downtown.Β
In a Dec. 29 Facebook post, Schneider shared the news of Bentley's closure and told the Tucson community "we have loved being a part of your lives and thank you for being a part of ours."
Boulevard Barbecue & Fixins
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Less than a year after opening, Boulevard Barbecue and Fixins at 5737 E. Speedway closed on Sept. 22, 2021.
Boulevard Barbecue & Fixins was opened atΒ 5737 E. Speedway Blvd.Β in October 2020 by the same minds behind Serial Grillers, brothers Travis and William Miller, and their business partner David Martin.
An increase in meat prices and a staffing shortage led to the trio closing down the restaurant on Sept. 22 this year.Β
In addition to their four Serial Grillers locations in Tucson, the Miller brothers recently opened Transplant Detroit Style Pizza atΒ 4603 E. Speedway Blvd.
Fronimoβs Greek CafΓ©
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Since 1995, George and Tracy Fronimakis have run Fronimoβs Greek Cafe, which has offered dishes like gyros with tart tzatziki drizzled over freshly shaved lamb or beef, or Athenian chicken bursting with bright lemon and Greek spices.
Tracy and George Fronimakis, the owners ofΒ Fronimoβs Greek CafΓ©, announced New Year's Day that their restaurant atΒ 3242 E. Speedway Blvd. would be closing after 25 years of business.Β
Fronimo's closure was credited to issues the couple faced trying to renew their lease with the owner of the building the restaurant operated out of.Β
The longtime Greek eatery stayed open through Jan. 15 this year before closing its doors.Β
The B Line
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A person walks by 621 N. Fourth Ave., which was once home to the local cafe The B Line that officially closed up shop.
It was announced in March 2020 that The B Line would "suspend operations" as the COVID-19 pandemic began impacting the restaurant industry and warranting business closures.Β
Owner Peter Wilke planned to reopen the popular Fourth Avenue restaurant, which had been around since 2002, but it never happened.Β
Frankie's Cheesesteaks
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For 17 years, the original Frankieβs South Philly Cheesesteaks on North Campbell Avenue was a popular destination for authentic Philly fare. The restaurant will close for good at the end of business Friday, Dec. 31.
The originalΒ Frankieβs South Philly Cheesesteaks location atΒ 2574 N. Campbell Ave. announced Dec. 31 would be the restaurant's last day of business after the owners struggled to negotiate a new lease.
Frankie's was originally opened in 2004 by Deb and Frankie Santos.
A second Frankie's location opened in September 2020 at 3780 W. Ina Road and will remain in business.Β
Rigo's Restaurant
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Rigo's Restaurant, along with itsΒ mariachi performances and daily Mexican buffet, was a South Tucson hit for over 20 years before it closed for good Jan. 8.Β
After nearly a year of being hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, owner Rigoberto "Rigo" Lopez said the restaurantΒ had to close after the building, located atΒ 2527 S. Fourth Ave., was bought out by a private lender.
Salted Pig American Barbecue
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Salted Pig American BarbecueΒ opened in February at 11835 N. Oracle Road and offered traditional barbecue influenced by Texas and the Carolinas.Β
According to a notice posted on Nov. 22, the restaurant's landlord had reclaimed the space and the doors have since been shut.Β
Bashful Bandit
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Sherri Cole and Cisco Rivera talk about motorcycles outside the Bashful Bandit in 2008.
Since 1980, the Bashful Bandit was a popular hangout and drinking spot for college students and bikers alike.Β
The iconic 40-year-old Tucson bar, which had a history of fights and noise complaints, closed its doors at 3686 E. Speedway Blvd. in June this year.
Toby Kyte, who bought the bar this year, plans to open a barbeque restaurant there this fall.
Casa Sanchez
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The Sanchez family is the engine behind Casa Sanchez Mexican restaurant. From left, Lilly, Rey Jr., Stevi and Trey.
For 24 years,Β Casa Sanchez-Momβs Mexican Food served their signature "Sanchez-style" burritos on Tucson's northwest side atΒ 8320 N. Thornydale Road.Β
The family-run restaurant was set to close in December 2021 due to a lull in business and loss of staff, but the Sanchez family decided to close early in June due to health concerns.Β
Senae Thai Bistro
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Amonwadee βDeeβ Buizer opened Senae Thai Bistro in 2016 to showcase the upscale side of Thai cooking.
Senae Thai Bistro was opened downtown in 2016 atΒ 63 E. Congress Street byΒ Amonwadee βDeeβ Buizer, who permanently closed the restaurant in July.Β
After temporarily closing and reopening her dining room multiple times over the past year and a half, Buzier decided it was time for her to retire ahead of her 60th birthday this year.Β
Asian Sofrito
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Asian Sofrito's former sign atΒ 2530 N. First Ave.
This Asian-Caribbean fusion restaurant that sat at 2530 N. First Ave. closed its doors at the end of August after three years of business.Β
Asian Sofrito's menu blended popular Chinese dishes with Caribbean flavors, from lo mein and chicken chop suey to fried plantains and pork fritas.Β
The restaurant's owners thanked their patrons in a Facebook post and announced that they would close for good on Aug. 29.Β
A new restaurant, Buendia Breakfast and Lunch Cafe, opened in the former Asian Sofrito location in early November.
