Applebee’s coming to Atwater

I love it when I can answer questions for readers in this column.

One of them came in this week from Yvonne Dutra, who said she heard that casual-dining restaurant Applebee’s is coming to Atwater. After checking with the folks who run Applegate Ranch Shopping Center, I can tell you that Yvonne’s information is spot-on.

According to Kristen Moore, spokeswoman for Brixmor Property Group, which operates Applegate Ranch, Applebee’s is expected to open a 5,358-square-foot restaurant in the first quarter of next year. I stopped by to check out the site just off Highway 99 at Applegate Road and it’s there at the eastern corner in front of Walmart; Applebee’s has applied for a liquor license.

So, sometime in the spring of 2016, Atwater will be “Eatin’ Good in the Neighborhood.”

Applebee’s isn’t the only new tenant at Applegate Ranch, Moore said in an email.

“We recently opened Boot Barn in a 9,936-square-foot space in November 2014,” she said. “This quarter, GNC and Fred Loya Insurance plan to open in 1,765 square feet and 1,105 square feet, respectively.”

The new businesses join roughly 30 other businesses, shops and eateries in the center, which has grown steadily since it opened about eight years ago. And it’s not finished yet – the Brixmor website shows 10 spots still available for lease.

Elsewhere around the Business Beat:

I also have Yvonne to thank for updated information on another casual-dining establishment in Atwater. She told me the Almond Tree restaurant has completed its remodeling project and reopened.

The Almond Tree also is located near Highway 99 and Applegate, though it’s on the north side of the freeway.

▪ In less positive news, you probably heard about Radio Shack’s bankruptcy filing.

The electronics retailer plans to close several hundred stores as part of its restructuring. Among those are two in our area – one on Commerce Avenue in Atwater and one on Pacheco Boulevard in Los Banos. No word on when those closures might happen, but the company said it expects the stores that are shutting down to sell their remaining inventory.

▪ And finally, yet another bit of news that is related to Applegate Ranch, although it takes place in Merced.

Envy, which started with a single store in Applegate Ranch, has expanded yet again.

Darlene Dover started the boutique, which sells clothing and accessories for men, women and children, in 2008. She soon expanded into stores in Turlock and Modesto, and earlier this year opened a shop in Fresno.

Next month, Dover’s mini-empire expands again when she opens an Envy in Merced.

The new shop is located at the Yosemite North shopping center, East Yosemite Avenue and G Street.

Dover’s announcement on Envy’s Facebook page was met with cheers. Well, for the most part. Said one fan: “This won’t be good for my bank account.”

This story was originally published February 6, 2015 at 4:23 PM with the headline "Applebee’s coming to Atwater."