HoneyBaked Ham has eye on Yuma for newest store, cafe

  HoneyBaked Ham is on the grow and looking to open a shop in Yuma that would include a cafe and retail store for its signature hams as well as an extensive line of other specialty meats, side dishes and desserts for gift baskets or to make a special home meal.

  HoneyBaked Ham also offers a wide variety of sandwiches, soups and side dishes to be enjoyed at the cafe or have delivered to business and other group events in boxed lunches, platters and buffets.

  The company is currently looking for someone to take on a franchise here, said Jim Squire, director of franchise development. The search also is on for a location.

  "We're looking to become part of the community," he said during a recent phone conversation. "We have nine stores in Arizona and think this would be a unique opportunity for Yuma."

  He said the hope is to have the store open before Easter, one of three major holidays for the company along with Thanksgiving and Christmas.

  Having a franchise requires a $350,000 investment, he said. "The key is people who like to be out in the community. Catering and corporate gifts are an important side of the business."

  They won't have to be chefs, as products come fully cooked and smoked and little food preparation is required onsite.

  If interested in the franchise, contact Squires at 1-678-966-3254.

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  The August issue of Yuma Business Direct is now available online at businessinyuma.com.

  The issue features Bruce Jackson, a retired San Luis, Ariz., businessman who now devotes his time and energy as a mentor to young people.

  Also featured is United Way of Yuma, which was honored by the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce as the Member of the Month for the organization's service to the community. United Way serves as a umbrella organization for various nonprofits, providing support through its fundraising and partnership efforts to help the community's needy.

  And John Guth, owner of the Martinez Lake Resort, answers 20 questions in the ongoing series about leaders in the hospitality industry.

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  By the way, in the article Guth discusses a major redevelopment effort that's under way for Martinez Lake Resort, located on the Colorado River 35 miles north of Yuma.

  The proposed Martinez Lake Development subdivision will transform the resort from a rustic camp into an innovative residential community. Finishing touches are being made on a $4 million project to upgrade the area's utility infrastructure and roadways. Beginning this fall, 140 lots that were previously leased will go on sale for construction of new homes.

  For more information about the redevelopment, visit www.martinezlakedevelopment.com.

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  Real estate agents Sherrell Judish and Jackie Dugan have moved from Realty Executives to Realty One Group. They've also moved their office - just across the street. They're now at 2375 S. 4th Ave. To reach Sherrell, call 580-1000, and Jackie can be reached at 246-4831.

  In another move, Sherrell's niece, Realtor Kimberly Dierdorf, is now with Powerhouse Realty, 281 W. 24th St. She can be reached at 580-5800.

  Sherrell also is in the process of opening a thrift store in the same complex to benefit the Humane Society of Yuma. Watch for an opening in the next couple of weeks. And currently, her office is donating a portion of each closing to animal welfare.

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  Rebecca Rodriguez is the new manager for Regis Salon at the Yuma Palms shopping center. A licensed hairstylist for Regis for more than three years, she will be working along with her associates to provide customers with all their hairstyling needs.

  The salon is located at The Village at 1309 S. Palms Parkway, Suite 2 and can be reached at 329-6339.

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  All Star Apparel is now open at two locations. It recently opened a store at 1200 S. Castle Dome Ave. in the Las Palmillas shopping center, and it still has its original shop at Southgate Mall.

  The stores carry a variety of sports apparel such as Adidas brand, New Era caps, jerseys and shoes. The Las Palmillas store can be reached at 373-4474 and the Southgate Mall shop number is 726-0920.

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  Ballet Yuma and its official school, Yuma Ballet Academy, can now lay claim to having studio dance floors that among the best. Construction was just completed by Bolo Productions, a company comprised of professional dancers, which creates custom dance floors throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.

  The decision to obtain substantially better floors was made to increase dancers' comfort, decrease injuries and assist in the improvement of technique, said Kathleen Sinclair, artistic director.
"Having a floor that reduces injuries is of particular importance because Ballet Yuma's company dancers are training six days a week."

  The $20,000 cost was split between Ballet Yuma and the academy, with the studio's portion coming in part from a gift by Frank and Lenore Farese.

  For a video of a similar floor being built, visit www.youtube.co/
watch?v=yAc8-jqcV1E. More information about Bolo Productions can be found at www.boloproductions.com.

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  Slide-Lok of Yuma, owned and operated by Ricardo and Fabiola "Faby" Jimenez, has been elevated to a Slide-Lo Master Dealer. The company offers garage cabinets, garage floor coatings, storage products and closet systems.

  The Jimenezes have several years of experience in the home improvement business and been a Slide-Lok dealer for about a year. They serve Yuma, La Paz and Imperial counties.

  For more information about Slide-Lok products, contact Slide-Lok of Yuma at 581-7766 or visit www.Slide-LokofYuma.com.

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  Budget trucks rented from Yuma-area locations have something new onboard. To make moving easier and more manageable, where2 Global Positioning System (GPS) navigational devices with guidance by Garmin are now available on the trucks.

  The GPS device can be rented at Budget Truck Rental locations throughout the U.S. for $11.95 per day or $59.75 per week. The system offers such navigational features as truck routes, three-dimensional maps, audible turn-by-turn directions in multiple languages, Bluetooth hands-free calling capability and local points of interest like ATMs, hotels, restaurants and gas stations.

   For more information, visit www.budgettruck.com or visit a local Budget Rent A Car location at 6147 E. Gila Ridge Road, 4701 E. Gila Ridge Road, 2755 E. 14th St. and 4275 E. 30th Place.

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Report Comings and Goings to jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853.