Plus, Shake Shack, CAVA and Others Commit to Norterra
With the arrival of Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream Dove Valley and other businesses later this month in Pointe17, the commercial plaza at the southwest corner of 29th Avenue and Dove Valley Road, comes the announcement that six new eateries, including a popular fast-casual burger joint, a new breakfast spot and others are planning to locate in a new plaza now under construction at the northeast corner of North Valley Parkway and Happy Valley Road, adjacent to Marriott’s AC and Element hotels nearing completion.
Shake Shack, Snooze A.M. Eatery, CAVA, a Mediterranean fast-casual chain, Tropical Smoothie shop and Firebirds Woodfired Grill have all signed lease agreements in the Union Street at Norterra Development, Mike Kallner, VP of Leasing and Marketing for Red Development, told Valley Vibe.
Shake Shack
Snooze A.M. Eatery
CAVA
Firebirds Woodfire Grill
A spokesperson for Shake Shack told Valley Vibe the Happy Valley location is slated to open in 2026. Firebirds Woodfired Grill anticipates a spring 2026 opening, a spokesperson shared with Valley Vibe. Construction comes just as finishing touches are happening on the adjacent Marriott AC and Element hotels which are expected to open in November. Plans for the center also include additional commercial retail on the eastern portion of the site, however Kallner said no commitments have been made by other retailers as of this writing.
A construction completion date has not yet been announced, according to Kallner.
Homemade Ice Cream Coming Mid-September
Tenant signage has been placed for many of the businesses that have been waiting to open their doors in Thompson Thrift’s new retail plaza across from Fry’s Marketplace along Dove Valley Road.
Final infrastructure approvals are all complete from the City of Phoenix, and the necessary approvals from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) due to proximity to the adjacent Skunk Creek Wash have also been completed, according to a spokesperson for Thompson Thrift.
Handel’s Ice Cream is planning a mid-September opening, according to the franchise owner, but had no set date as of this writing, Valley Vibe confirmed in an email. The homemade ice cream shop is part of a franchise that began in Youngstown, Ohio and has been growing rapidly in Arizona. Handel’s ice cream is made fresh daily, following the traditions founder Alice Handel started in 1945. Cones, dishes, shakes, hurricanes, ice cream pops made from a list of 45 different flavors is what Handel’s is known for.
Handel’s Ice Cream
Chipotle is planning to locate on an open pad along Dove Valley Road and the last available pad is currently involved in lease negotiations with Phoenix Commercial Advisors. If the agreement is inked, it could be occupied by a coffee chain new to the area.
Chipotle
Other anticipated openings include:
Pepper Lunch, a fast-casual Teppanyaki-style restaurant inspired from Tokyo, where patrons choose their ingredients customized to their taste and in minutes, a freshly prepared sizzling hot plate is delivered.
Pepper Lunch
The Bar, a Michigan/Midwestern establishment with a scratch kitchen offering wings, burgers, wraps and house-made fries in an indoor/outdoor bar setting.
The Bar
Luna Grill, a San Diego-based Mediterranean scratch kitchen fast-casual-style restaurant with salads, bowls, kabobs, pitas.
Oregano’s, the family-owned local pizza chain, is opening a restaurant on a 4,000-square-foot pad, and was the first to sign a letter of intent to lease space back in 2022, but has yet to break ground on construction.
OverEasy, a breakfast/brunch and lunch restaurant serving up favorites in a modern diner setting with a dining room, bar and patio.
Jersey Mikes, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Blo,a hair blow out salon, Body Fit Training, Heartland Dental, and a nail salon are also expected to open soon.
Two original tenants have since pulled out of their leases: Foothills Grille and Yoga Six, leaving an open 4,176-square-foot vacant space for another potential restaurant user, and another 2,000 square-foot space available for lease.
The last available pad is currently involved in lease negotiations, and if the agreement is inked, it could be occupied by a coffee chain new to the area.
In addition to the 35,000 square feet of retail space, the 29th & Dove Valley development also includes luxury apartment homes. Refinery at Pointe17 apartment community is expected to open in October, offering 1, 2 and 3 bedroom floorplans, according to the company’s website.
By Karen Goveia
editor@valleyvibenews.com