Friday, March 25, 2016

Encinitas classic Roxy Restaurant to get hipster makeover



San Diego Reader:
Opened in 1978, the Mediterranean-style vegetarian restaurant downtown on Coast Highway 101 is going through a remodel. “I’ve taken on another partner,” said [owner Shoja] Naimi. “I'll still be actively involved as a consulting partner.”

Naimi said he thinks things started to change when Whole Foods went in a few years ago. Located only a block away, it wasn’t that Whole Foods was much competition but that the high-end grocery store started attracting a new type of crowd to Encinitas.

The downtown Encinitas vibe has changed, with several mom-and-pop businesses forced out by higher rents. Naimi’s rent is now above $10,000 a month.

Naimi said he sees younger people walking by, looking inside, and not coming in, perhaps judging the wood siding and ocean mural interior as too old. Yelp reviews may say the food is great but the restaurant needs an upgrade, or the new crowd doesn’t really trust that Roxy’s nine-page menu is all truly “fresh” meals, but, Naimi said, “We still make everything fresh, right here….
Next they'll be coming for Cap'n Keno's....

86 comments:

  1. Any place with a liquor license is valuable, 10K rent would be lots of falafel burgers to cover. The direction of downtown is not good, we have a magnet for drunks and sketchy party crowd. We are losing charm to a vibrancy that is a low vibe situation. Roxy has been enjoyed for many years, hope it doesn't become just another bar.

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    1. Spot on. Roxy is our favorite local restaurant. I, too, am sick of the steadily growing drunk scene that is destroying downtown Encinitas.

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    2. Roxy now has separate lunch and dinner menus. Unless they allow you to order off the lunch menu at dinnertime, that means no falafel burgers after about 3pm or so.

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  2. They'll open it up more and emphasize the liquor sales. Look at Buzz, the new coffee joint. It's nothing special, but the yupsters love it. It's got the open front, which seems to work wonders for sales. The Union did that and it's the #1 booze joint in town. I'd say the old ambiance of Roxy's is finished.
    And Whole Foods is vastly overrated and over-priced. I bought some Cajun chicken there and it was like chewing on a used tire - terrible ! People think it is fashionable to shop there - it is all about image.

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  3. That whole block is in site ALT-7 in the Housing Element, and the Roxy and Siamese Basil and Encinitas Café are all unreinforced masonry construction. A good earthquake would settle the matter pretty good.

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  4. Roxy? Vegetarian?

    Fact check.

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    1. 7:05 Google says it is a vegetarian restaurant.

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    2. Vegetarian-friendly would be a more accurate description.

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    3. The new menu is not even terribly vegetarian-friendly. The falafel burger is still there, as promised, but many of the other vegetarian choices are gone.

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  5. It's not vegetarian. I eat there all the time and the chicken/beef gyros are terrific, as well as the chicken kabob lunch special, and let's not forget the chicken marsala dinner. However, I will miss the Avo-Taco.

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    1. 9:08 There are no red meat items on their entire menu. Therefore, they are considered vegetarian.

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    2. Technically, chicken is not a vegetable.

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    3. Has anyone noticed how crowded Encinitas is becoming.... It's lame! It makes me sad to see these older mom and pop places going out of business I like the funcky downtown vibe not the new trendy place to be vibe....

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    4. Technically, it should be classified as a semi-vegetarian restaurant since they serve chicken.

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    5. Technically we are all semi-vegetarians.

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    6. There are several beef and pork options on the new menu, and A LOT fewer vegetarian options. The carnivores will be happy, but the vegetarian and semi-vegetarian customers who kept Roxy in business all these years are going to be VERY disappointed.

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  6. Isn't Cap'n Keno's where that old drunk guy stumbled into traffic and got hit? Shut it down.

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    1. That old drunk guy is a good guy who restores cars and is well liked in this community, doofus..Let's hope he's better soon...

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    2. I love these ignoramuses that want to shut down every restaurant that serves alcohol. I usually get stuck behind them at Costco while they're purchasing liters of Kirkland vodka.

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    3. 8:37 was my tongue in cheek post. Just pointing out the age bias in the anti-vibrancy crowd.

      If a drunk stumbles into traffic from Cap'n Keno's, he's a "good guy" who is "well liked." If the same thing happened in front of Union, there would be torches and pitchforks, and no nice words for the accident victim.

      Apparently booze is only a problem if the establishment and the patrons are not familiar to me.

      Hypocrites.

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    4. He has a drinking problem, clearly. My comment had nothing to do with age bias. In this case, I know the person, who btw, was severely injured. At least he walks home, and doesn't drive.

      As far as the issues with consumption downtown, there's one option for deterrence, and that's increased police enforcement.

      When it comes to the old school vs. new school, local vs. non local, hipster vs. non-hipster crap that is on this thread, you'll have to find another taker, I'm not going to argue about beards and mustaches.

      Encinitas is now a rich guy town, and it's not going back, right or wrong...

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    5. Cap'n Keno's will become Admiral Kensingtons and shirt and tie will be mandatory.

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  7. 9:47,the funkiness went out when Norby led the big "vibrancy" campaign to cement over town and homogenize our look. Yes, I am reaching back that far, because that's when the "visioning" began.

    Norby was getting busy declaring Leucadia "blighted" when the redevelopment funds were cut - saved by the budget.

    Back to the Roxy: you have to know it's going to be a carbon copy of the Shelter/Buzz/Biergarten/Union. Getting hard to tell them apart and very sad to see.

    Surely there are architects and designers who don't feel the need to copy cat. And no, Keith Harrison is not the answer :D

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    1. You know that Norby doesn't get a pension for the city, I just want you to know that.

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    2. Haha it took longer than I'd have thought for a Norby apologist to come out from under a rock.

      I do know he doesn't get a pension and I also know he was severely overpaid for working against resident wishes.

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    3. and let's not forget Norby being a booster for 5 story buildings...it's all on You Tube if ya don't believe me

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    4. That is not true. Norby facilitated the meeting and was addressing options that the hastily council created developer-heavy group presented.

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    5. I'm not a Norby apologist but a La Veta Loca apologist...

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  8. Hipsters ruin everything. Their uniqueness is ironically (and suspiciously) uniform. The "cementing" trend is branching out all over the city as my HOA just took out 3 lush greenbelts in the front and replaced them with an ugly stucco wall. This is progress? Sounds more like unwanted and unneeded kickbacks. Thanks a lot.

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  9. The older decor at Roxy is not stopping the "younger crowd" from sucking up copious amounts of booze there the same way they do everywhere else. The kids could care less and it makes you wonder if they are all being offered free booze downtown just to up the "vibrancy" factor. It's the lower frequencies that give off the most vibration.

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    1. "it makes you wonder if they are all being offered free booze downtown just to up the 'vibrancy' factor."

      Please tell me this isn't a serious statement.

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    2. 3:58: Something is enticing the crowds. Please tell me your rose-colored glasses aren't permanently affixed to your head.

      Remember the sheriff testifying to endless code violation warnings, but no action take? Please let me you don't think those winks and nods weren't in the name of upping vibrancy and upping tax revenue.

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    3. It is a fact free drinks were given new years eve, a waitress blogged about it. Wonder if that oops cost her a job.

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    4. Bars are businesses. Like any business, their sole purpose is to generate revenue and profit. Giving away drinks does the opposite of increasing revenue and profit.

      Young people flock to downtown on weekends to spend money to socialize, to enjoy adult bevereges and to engage in the evolutionary no pants dance of chromosomes.

      Same as when we were young.

      No conspiracy theory needed.

      Occam's razor.

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  10. Because of all the drinking going on downtown and the mess they create such as peeing on sidewalks, bushes, etc. I choose not to eat at any of the establishments there. Somehow, it doesn't feel healthy to me.

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    1. We were Roxy regulars because of the food, and we hope to return, again because of the food, when the remodel dust settles. The drunks are indeed a major problem in downtown Encinitas, but I am not going to let them keep me away from stores and restaurants I like to patronize.

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  11. Dude makes a business change after 30+ years of same-same and the anti downtown, anti booze people freak out. It's called life. Dude had a great run for 30+ years and now is making some changes to keep current. But let's blame the city for that and shake the booze stick at em. Meanwhile the facts on the ground are that the two worst enablers of boozers and losers, the two liquor stores, have CLOSED!

    Grumpy's mean shit slingers, go have a glass of wine, better yet, a double scotch and relax :)
    Prohibition is not returning.

    Downtown Encinitas rocks, grit and all.

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    1. Sounds like you have had one too many. Don't drink and drive.

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    2. "Sounds like you have had one too many. Don't drink and drive."

      Slurred the closet drinker.

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    3. Not opposed to change but why does there have to be so much all at once? Who is benefiting from overdeveloping and overcrowding this city?

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    4. Hint: The Bar owners and the recipients of the permits, fees and taxes. I can't believe the naivete of people who a.) thought things would never change and B.) Didn't think downtown would become party central....

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  12. vote out anyone supporting Encinitas downtown becoming PB and more bars, and more density in town for developers profits ---That would be Muir, Kranz and Gaspar.

    Kranz has turned into a train wreck on every issue unfortunately.

    I am supporting no growth candidate in full next election. Except Cameron- she's not all there- if you don't believe me - just look in her eyes.

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    1. I don't think Sheila's going to run, but she's done a lot of great things for our town. Let's leave Sheila out of this discourse, it's irrelevant..

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  13. Downtown Encinitas is just horrible now. The only people that think it's great are the recent longtime "locals" of 15 years. Looks like Laguna now. Meter the parking and make Moonlight a pay lot so tourists and everyone that loves the new downtown so much can pay for the $3 million plus lifeguard tower and PV. This should complete ruining Encinitas.

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    1. Laguna? Are you high (at 6:50am no less)?

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    2. "Downtown Encinitas is just horrible now."

      Know a quick way to make it better? If assholes like you would move back to Arizona and take your provincial thinking with you.

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    3. It's kind of hard to move back to somewhere when I was born here and have never left in 45 years. I guess the sarcasm was lost on all the non-provincial thinkers. Move back to where you came from because clearly you don't have a clue how bad downtown has been slowly ruined in the last 15 years. I don't know a single person who grew up here who thinks downtown has been improved....Anyone?

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    4. The bars all came in about 5 years ago. And before that, everyone complained there was nothing downtown. You can't have it both ways.

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    5. "I was born here and have never left in 45 years."

      OK, there's the problem, Opie. Mommy and Daddy chose to live here, you didn't. There's a big world out there, strike out on your own and discover that with time comes change. Some good, some bad, whining about the good old days accomplishes nothing.

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    6. 8:28 Spoken like a true transplant. I'd be interested to know where you came from? Way too smug and condescending to be anything but a recent local.

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  14. maybe the city will make the remodel come up to earth quake standards.

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  15. Restaurant remodels after 30 years, wacko's in town come unglued about drunks and gentrification. You'd think he was tearing down the single story place, building 3-4 stories and putting non white, non elite/entitled people in higher density apartments. You know, the folks who work for a living.

    Heaven forbid!

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    1. 3-4 story is what you'll get if you vote for the housing element update - developers are salivating - just say no!

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    2. If you want to thumb your nose at the white non-working elite, why don't you head on over to RSF, Del Mar, or La Jolla? That's not Encinitas. I bought my first home here 14 years ago when this was still a sleepy beach town and have watched the quality of life go down the drain the over the past 4 years. Gentrification destroys community character and alienates the middle class. We didn't need "fixing". Why aren't these resources being poured into communities that are truly blighted and need the assistance? It's BS.

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  16. I tried to go to Roxy yesterday. After 4 times of going around the block, I gave up. That's is what is killing the downtown. Granted, it's Easter weekend, but all year long it's usually the same thing.

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    1. Too many customers is "killing the downtown?"

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    2. 10:09 I meant: too many cars, and not enough parking.

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    3. Council allowed DeWald to build Pacific Station. Common sense should have prevailed, but greed did. There could not possibly be enough parking for Whole Foods, and all the shops and offices plus residential units when the project became more fully occupied. Seven plus parking places were lost on the street. It is almost impossible to find parking, now, even on non holiday weekdays. Lisa Shaffer and some others would say establishing paid parking is the answer.

      We are being milked for taxes and fees to support those who would overdevelop in the name of profit.

      Gentrification = greed.

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  17. 9:17PM. Mikey, you are a legend, but only in your own distorted sick mind. How you don't make your own skin crawl like you do to the rest of the community is a true sign of a very sick consciousness, as if any conscious mind could even be equated.

    When did you actually ever look into her eyes, you piece of slime? Instead of the usual meaning of POS, Piece Of Slime seems much more appropriate in your case. Crawl back under your rock and spare us your sliming.

    Why are you still around? Your claim of legitimacy with your business network is a sham. Anyone that associates with you comes away with a stain that will not wash out. Any time you walk into a public meeting your reputation precedes you. Truth be told, your record around here has nothing to crow about. How any business owner around this community could be sold what you sell, doesn't inspire confidence that they are in touch with reality. I know I and many others would avoid doing business any of your supposed list of members.

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    1. Mickey lives in Oceanside, apparently can't hold down a normal job. The dude is for sale and there's nothing he won't say or do.

      Last time he spoke at council no one could understand what he was talking about. Whoever's paying him is paying too much.

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    2. Waita minute, Andreen is the only person to have any observations concerning Mrs. Cameron? I asked him about Sheila and he told me about several good deeds she has done for the city and for his family; and that he has empathy for her. He may have moved on, maybe you should to?

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    3. Shiela needs to stop interjecting from her chair during council meetings.

      The time and place for public input is at the lectern during designated spots on the agenda. The rest of us would like to hear what's actually going on, not her two cents.

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  18. Can anyone define "hipster" for me? I really don't know what that means in the context of downtown. When I was a young person in NYC, we frequented coffee houses to hear the music. We were called "hipsters" then. I doubt it has the same meaning now.

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    1. Unicycle riding, handlebar mustachioed, craft beer snobing, urban steampunk douche bags.

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    2. Stovepipe jeans, Converse sneakers, fixed gear bicycles, "manly beards", goofy haircuts. Thinking they are somehow unique when they all conform and look the same. And they think they are better than you.

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    3. Thanks 11:50 and 12:36- Yes that seems to fit with what I saw today when I went downtown.

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    4. And no one, including punks, hippies, beatniks, have ever tried to be different by looking like one another.

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  19. I hope the owners stay as far away as possible from Keith Harrison and his so-called architect. OK, his architect is a real architect, but has horrible taste, which doesn't reflect on Keith in a positive light.

    Roxy, please keep some of ambience you have had when tearing your restaurant down. Your local long time supporting clientel will appreciate keeping some of the hometown that we all love. There is far too little of that remaining with all "vibrancy" we have been inundated with. Gawd spare us anymore of this current trend that has despoiled our downtown.

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    1. At rent being over $10K/month, it sounds like he'd put in dancing monkeys to stay afloat. The location has tons of drive-by, but access is difficult (as someone pointed out). I am forced to go to Home Depot, as I can't park anywhere near Ace hardware. Parking is a nightmare downtown and near Moonlight Beach.

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    2. The inside of Roxy is going to be gutted. Just talked to the waitress there. New owner is the same person who opened Bier garden. It will not look the same.

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    3. Former Roxys - soon to be Biergarden II - the sequel to the stumble stampede.
      Maybe add strippers - $tock$ would be a patron!

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    4. As if Feargarden wasn't bad enough with all the ciggy smokers hanging round, now its exporting more of what we don't want down the block.

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    5. Yeah the ciggy smokers thinking they're cool, really just embarrassing themselves. I ate at the Biergarden and once was enough. Very average food and you have to want to see and be seen to justify going there. Total big fish, little pond scene.

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  20. And another Encinitas Highlands old Beach cottage bits the dust. Bull dozed to the ground...corner of Arden and Melba.

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  21. The Union keeps trying to get their outside patio licensed for use - apparently it has been a slower process than they anticipated. Give Kranz some free drinks - that'll speed it along.

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    1. Faster than Tony's speeding-mullet!!!

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    2. Kranz is shopping the used threads shop for Travolta's disco outfit...

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  22. Screw the Union for degrading that part of OUR downtown with they and their irresponsible patrons behavior. It has been bad enough with the inside operation. Letting them move the same bad behavior outside will only exacerbate an already bad situation and make it worse. Screw them is what they have really earned.

    Enough! If they can't conduct business in a respectful manner to this community, to their neighbors that are most affected, they surely don't deserve an ounce of consideration for expanding their allowed seating numbers by moving the same bad behavior outside. Enough!

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    1. Union is indeed consistently one of the biggest offenders. They need to be held accountable for the behavior of their patrons.

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  23. 12:50- The Union is protected by Marco Gonzales and his group. They joined DEMA so they could represent the south end of 101. I cannot help but wonder what they got for it in exchange, besides a new front entrance, compliments of DEMA and our taxes.

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  24. Gonzales is the red light district of lawyers.

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  25. 5:15 you are really giving the oldest profession a bad name.

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    1. At least the oldest profession gives you some bang for the buck!

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  26. The grand re-opening is taking place. The 1920s decor suits the building well, and, as promised, the falafel burger is still on the menu. However, many of our other favorite vegetarian items, including tacos, enchiladas, and casserole dinners, are gone.

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  27. Does anyone know who manages the offices that are above the Roxy Restaurant? My Math Tutoring Business was above that restaurant and the old Vigiluccis when they first opened many years ago when I first opened my service. I would like to maybe rent an office there again. It was very difficult for me to get my sign approval but maybe it would be ok now that I have been in business for decades and have helped 10s of 1000s of kids become the next Engineer, Doctor, Artists:) and so much more...

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