Category: City News

News from around the city

Recent Entries:

2010
1908 Seth Thomas clock

Earlier this month, the 102-year-old Seth Thomas pedestal clock, which was damaged last year during the refurbishing of the pedestrian mall, made its way back to downtown Riverside. Though the clock itself dates back to 1908, it didn't appear in Riverside until the 1920s when it was planted outside a jeweler's store on Main Street.

The clock's current location near the corner of Main Street and Mission Inn Avenue (near Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf), sits across the mall and about a half-block north from its previous spot near the former Westbrook's/Imperial Hardware building.

We're not certain when the clock was placed in front of Westbrook's. Some say it was moved there from its original spot elsewhere on Main Street. But a postcard from the 1940s indicates it had been in front of Westbrook's for several decades before being damaged last year by a contractor -- who paid for the repair -- and eventually moving to its current location near Mission Inn Avenue.

Interestingly, based upon old photos, it appears the clock had also been moved several feet toward University Avenue and placed a bit closer to the center of the pedestrian mall at some point while located near Westbrook's.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - 102-year-old clock returns to Riverside mall (Feb. 13, 2010)

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Second phase of pedestrian mall makeover begins (Jan. 2009)

1940s
Near Westbrook's
(second clock in distance)
(view full postcard)

1953
Near Westbrook's (prior to mall)
RCC yearbook
(view close-up)

1967
On the Mall
North High School
yearbook

2009
Former mall location

2010
Current spot

2010
Refurbished

2007
Slight differences

After nearly 3 years of renovation -- and several years of planning -- downtown Riverside's Fox Theater is ready to make its debut as the Fox Performing Arts Center.

2010
Fox Performing Arts Center


1930s
Fox Riverside

Located at the intersection of Mission Inn Avenue and Market Street, the 1,642-seat Fox Center is the crown jewel of Riverside's 5-year, $1.6 billion "renaissance" public works plan. At just over $32 million, the complete renovation -- including Broadway-caliber staging -- of the 1929-era Fox is also one of the most expensive projects in the 5-year plan, which began in late 2006.

Friday evening Jan. 15 marks the official opening of the new center with the "Fox Foundation Inaugural Gala," a $150-ticket special event intended to show off the Fox as well as begin the process of establishing a community endowment to assist in maintaining and operating the new performance center.

(For those unable to attend the gala, free tours are scheduled for the weekend of Jan. 16-17.)

We're excited to see the completion of the Fox, which we see as an important catalyst in the overall revival -- and long-term success -- of downtown and Riverside in general. There's no doubt that within the past decade, downtown has finally established a relatively healthy critical mass of arts and entertainment offerings, to which the Fox will now be added.

However, as community leader Daniel Foster points out, it will certainly take more than just the Fox, the Mission Inn, local museums and the still emerging restaurant and arts scenes. It will take the synergy and richness of all these -- and those still on the horizon, including institutions from both UCR and RCC as well as higher density office/residential development -- to continue the successful turnaround of downtown.

But above all, it will take area residents, both of Riverside and the immediate region, to begin supporting our own local shops, restaurants, museums and arts institutions, many of which are indeed unique to Southern California.

Update

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Fox theater gala, tours set this weekend in Riverside (Jan. 14)


• InstantRiverside.com - Weekend tours of renovated Fox Performing Arts Center will be free (Jan. 14)

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - The road to Riverside's Fox theater's new red carpet | Video | Photos: Fox Renovated | Photos: Fox Historic | Special Section (Jan. 10)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Mission Inn owner Duane Roberts to head Fox theater's foundation board | Video (Jan. 9)


• InstantRiverside.com - The Fox Theater renovation (Sept. 2009)


• City of Riverside - Fox Performing Arts Center | Riverside Renaissance - Fox


• Nederlander - Broadway in Riverside

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Open house at the Fox (May 2007) | Fox Theater restoration moving along (June 2009) | Riverside's Fox Theater restoration in pictures (Nov. 2009)

2010
From Mission Inn Avenue

2010
Opening Gala

2010
Sheryl Crow

2010
Exterior details

2010
Along Mission Inn Avenue

2010
Main entry

2010
Main entry

2010
Exterior details

This week marks the beginning of the yearly "Festival of Lights" in downtown Riverside. Every night for 5 weeks between Nov. 27 and Jan. 3 (excepting Christmas), several blocks of the newly refurbished Main Street pedestrian mall come alive for the holidays.

City of Riverside

The centerpiece of the Festival is the historic Mission Inn hotel, which will again be adorned with over 3.5 million holiday lights and hundreds of animated figures.
Along with the lights are an ice rink, carriage rides, carolers, shopping, food, entertainment -- and Santa Claus. Nearby shops and restaurants usually offer extended hours during the festival.

Friday, Nov. 27th is the event's official kick-off, which includes a special "switch on" ceremony and fireworks show that begins just after 6:00 p.m.

Parking for the nightly event is available in 4 municipal parking garages and on nearby streets (with free parking at all locations after 5 p.m. and all day on the weekends/holidays).

What originally began in 1993 as a hotel-only event has since grown to include city sponsorship, spreading to nearby shops and adjacent blocks. It has become one of America's largest holiday light displays.

Update

• KABC-TV - Festival of Lights kicks off in Riverside (Nov. 28)


• InstantRiverside.com - Festival of Lights begins in downtown Riverside (Nov. 28)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Mission Inn lights up the night in Riverside | Photo Gallery (Nov. 28)

Related

• City of Riverside - Festival of Lights


• Mission Inn - Festival of Lights


• InstantRiverside.com - Riverside's Festival of Lights Friday evening (Nov. 25) | 2009 Downtown Riverside Window Decorating Contest (Nov. 16) | Festival parking guide


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - The historic Mission Inn begins Festival of Lights preparation (Oct. 19)

Riverside Greater Downtown
Fine Dining Group

Earlier this week, seven downtown area restaurants again rolled out the red carpet to showcase the city's growing collection of unique dining establishments as part of the second annual Riverside Restaurant Week.

The event, which has expanded to 2 weeks, began this past Sunday night with a special fund-raising event for local arts at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium.

Sponsored by the Riverside Greater Downtown Fine Dining Group, patrons will be able to experience -- at very reasonable prices -- upscale culinary delights and one-of-a-kind atmospheres not found at the major "chain" restaurants. For the event, each establishment will offer a specially selected, three-course meal for $20 (lunch) and $35 (dinner).

Those who enjoy a meal and get their "restaurant passport" stamped at each of the seven establishments will be eligible for a drawing to be held during a special event at the Mission Inn -- in the catacombs, no less -- on October 25th. The prize is an escorted "tasting tour" that includes a "progressive dinner" stop at each restaurant. Afterward, the winner and their three guests will end the night with complimentary rooms at the downtown Marriott.

The seven participating restaurants are: Café Sevilla, Ciao Bella Ristorante, Mario's Place, Mission Inn Restaurant, Olio Ristorante, Restaurant Omakase, Saffron.

The "week" lasts through Saturday October 10th.

So, get out and get downtown!

Related

• Riverside Greater Downtown Fine Dining Group


• InstantRiverside.com - Seven Riverside restaurants offer fixed-priced dining (video)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riverside Restaurant Week begins with a gala (gallery)

After nearly 50 years of printing the Southern California edition of the Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones & Co. has shuttered its Riverside printing facility. Along with the WSJ, the facility has also printed the regional editions of Barron's Weekly and, more recently, the New York Post.

2009
Signage


2009
Entrance


2009
Overview
Bing Maps

The Riverside operation is one of several regional printing facilities recently closed by Dow Jones & Co. as part of restructuring due to decreased print demand and the signing of printing contracts with local newspapers. Other plants shuttered include those in Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Orlando, and Des Moines, IA. Locally, it appears the Los Angeles Times has taken over printing of the regional edition of the WSJ.

The Riverside plant began operations in 1961/62. City permits issued in the summer of 1961 show the building comprising 29,542 sq. ft. with an approximate value of $440,000. Its location atop a small hill near Riverside Municipal Airport helped the plant keep a relatively low profile, with many residents vaguely aware of its existence.

At one point, Dow Jones -- which became part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. media empire in 2007 -- held a minority interest in the Riverside Press-Enterprise newspaper. In 1996, however, Dow Jones sold its 21.5% stake in The Press-Enterprise to Dallas-based Belo Corp., which eventually bought the regional newspaper from its longtime owners, the Hays family, in 1997.

No word yet on what is to become of the
well-manicured Riverside WSJ facility and surrounding land, both of which are reportedly owned by Dow Jones. However, the plant's closing is likely to be felt at Riverside-based Wall's Hauling. The small, family-owned business has delivered the Wall Street Journal -- its largest client -- throughout Southern California since the Riverside facility opened.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Murdoch closing Riverside printing facility that has churned out Wall Street Journal editions for almost 50 years (Aug. 15, 2009) | Hauling company steers around recessions (May 6, 2009)


• Editor & Publisher - UPDATE: Dow Jones Closing Riverside Plant (Aug. 18, 2009)

2009
Sleek lines

2009
Chic ashtray

2009
Landscaping

2009
Parking

2009
Trucking docks

2009
Rail spur

2009
Rail dock

This weekend marked the grand opening of Forever 21 clothing stores inside former Gottschalks/Harris' buildings at Riverside Plaza and Hemet Valley Mall. The stores are part of the Los Angeles-based retailer's aggressive growth plans that includes new large-format stores, many of which are currently taking up residence within former Mervyn's and Gottschalks stores.

2009
Forever 21


1964
Harris'

In excess of 50,000 sq. ft. -- well above the majority of the chain's existing mall stores, most of which are under 10,000 sq. ft. -- these larger stores will include a wide-ranging mix of clothing and accessories for both men, women and youth. More recently, the chain began opening 20,000 sq. ft. stores, including a location at The Shoppes at Chino Hills.

Initially, the Riverside location will take up 90,000 sq. ft. on two levels of the 204,000 sq. ft., 3-story store, which opened in 1957 as Harris'. Future plans call for possible expansion into some of the third floor, likely making it one of the largest stores in the chain. What will eventually become of the unused portions of the building -- including a basement -- remain unknown.

Earlier this year, the chain opened a large-format store in a former Mervyn's store in Victorville. A fourth Inland Southern California store is expected to open later this fall inside a former 3-story, Macy's/Broadway department store at Inland Center mall in San Bernardino. Once fully occupied, it will likely rival the Riverside location in eventual size.

It'll be interesting to watch how these new large-format stores evolve -- and perform -- for the mostly youth-oriented clothing chain. At the very least, the re-using of the former Gottschalks/Harris' (Riverside) and Macy's/Broadway (San Bernardino) have forestalled any potential demolition of the mid-century department store buildings.

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Clothier opening 2 of 3 new stores (Aug. 14) | Clothier boosting presence in Inland Center mall (July 23) | Forever 21 clothing company chain rises amid ashes of others (June 15)

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - (Harris') Gottschalks gone (July 2009) | Riverside Roundup - 03/20/2009 | Battered economy, battered retailers could spell trouble for some local malls (Jan. 2009) | Razed, Rebuilt, Revived (Dec. 2005) | Rebirthing Riverside Plaza (Oct. 2004)

July 2009
Store closing


July 2009
Sign says it all


July 2009
Final day


1964
Back in the day

This past weekend saw the end of an era as Fresno-based Gottschalks closed for good on Sunday. For local folks, this also means an end to what once was the remnants of San Bernardino-based The Harris Co., which operated 7 department stores across Inland Southern California before the chain was sold to Gottschalks in 1998.

At the Riverside Plaza location, shoppers crowded parts of the first floor to buy merchandise that had been reduced up to 95% in the store's final days. Also up for sale were fixtures and even signage. Other areas of the selling floor had already been stripped bare of most merchandise.

The 3-story (plus basement) store will be transformed into a large-format Forever 21, which is expected to open sometime in August. Yet to be made public is exactly how much of the 204,000 sq. ft. former Gottschalks will be used by Forever 21. It's possible sub-leasing might take place.

As for both Gottschalks and Harris', what began in 1904 and 1905 respectively, is now history. The story behind both chains offer similar parallels, each having been founded by newly immigrated German families (Emil Gottschalk and Philip, Herman and Arthur Harris respectively).

Although Gottschalks grew much faster as a chain in the post-war years relative to Harris', both chains remained independently owned for many decades, thriving on local control and insights. For Harris', this led to a very loyal customer base, becoming what many considered the Marshall Field's of the Inland region.

By 1981, however, the smaller Harris' chain was facing stiffer competition against the larger department stores. It was at this time that third-generation members of the Harris family decided to sell the Inland Southern California chain to Spanish retailer El Corte Ingles.

And by the time of their 1998 merger -- in which the 7 local Harris' stores were re-branded as Harris'-Gottschalks -- both chains were beginning to struggle against the national department stores and discount chains. Within 10 years, signs of possible selling off to larger chains began to surface at Gottschalks, none of which managed to fully materialize. As such, it was a dire economy that finally ended the chain for good as Gottschalks filed for bankruptcy in early 2009.

In today's mega-franchise retailing environment, such personalized regional chains are a rarity (and likely to become even more so). And with Sunday's closure of the 58-store Gottschalks chain -- most of which were located in California -- the last remnants of Harris' is no more as well.

Related

• Fresno Bee - Gottschalks stores close on century of memories (July 12)


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Forever 21 job openings draw a crowd at Riverside Plaza (July 11) | Gottschalks chain's closing is tale of two icons (April 1)

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Riverside Roundup - 03/20/2009 | Battered economy, battered retailers could spell trouble for some local malls (Jan. 2009) | Razed, Rebuilt, Revived (Dec. 2005) | Rebirthing Riverside Plaza (Oct. 2004)

Update

• RaincrossSquare.com - Forever 21 at Riverside Plaza (Aug. 2009)

July 2009
Last day!

July 2009
Empty cases

July 2009
Clearing out

July 2009
Display sales

July 2009
Escalator up

July 2009
Nothing left

July 2009
RIP

July 2009
'H' for Harris'

Ron Redfern and Mayor Loveridge


Walking the walk


Mayor Loveridge pointing
out city landmarks

This past weekend saw about 50 participants show up early Saturday morning at the base of Mt. Rubidoux for the first of four "Walk with the Mayor" events.

The informal gathering allowed guests an opportunity to talk one-on-one with Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge while taking in the scenery and getting a bit of exercise. The Mayor made a valiant effort to meet and talk with many of the guests as the group walked the newly-repaved trail.

Special guest Ron Redfern, CEO/Publisher of The Press-Enterprise newspaper, walked and chatted with guests as well, answering general inquiries and questions. Also on hand was Councilman Mike Gardner.

Three more "Walk with the Mayor" gatherings, each with a special guest, are currently scheduled:

• July 18 - Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park - Central Avenue entrance. Special guest: Timothy White - UCR Chancellor
• August 15 - California Citrus State Historic Park - 9400 Dufferin Ave. (near Van Buren Blvd.). Special guest: Rick Miller, RUSD Superintendent
• September 19 - Hidden Valley Wilderness Park - 11401 Arlington Avenue. Special guest: Stan Morrison, UCR Athletic Director

Guests are asked to meet up at 7:30 a.m. with the "walk" beginning promptly at 7:45 a.m. The events are expected to last approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours each.

With an expected completion date later this year, work continues on the $30 million restoration of the historic Fox Theater in downtown Riverside.

Feb. 2009
Fox Theater


Oct. 2008
Renaissance

The renovation of the soon-to-be, 1,600-seat Fox Performing Arts Center includes a complete overhaul of the 1929 theater -- everything from new ventilation systems, theater seats and extensive seismic upgrades to a modern (and larger) stage house. Specialized artisans were hired to replicate the theater's original ornate tiles and painted ceilings.

Recently, the city inked a 5-year deal with the Nederlander Organization, which owns/manages nine Broadway theaters and produces several touring shows, some that will now make stops in Riverside. The new entity -- Broadway in Riverside -- joins the company's existing local management groups, Broadway/San Diego and Broadway/LA.

Grand opening festivities are slated for January 2010.

Still to be decided is an adjacent, 300/400-space parking garage. The city, which recently acquired the remaining properties, says the garage is vital to the overall success of the Fox project. Unfortunately, the garage means partial (or full) demolition of a few older buildings, most of which contain antique stores (one | two). However, a 1920s-era building on Fairmount Avenue is expected to remain, possibly as a storage house for the Fox.

We do agree the Fox will need some form of stable and convenient parking for long-term success. However, we're not certain a new garage is entirely necessary at this stage, particularly with two private garages and several surface lots located nearby. Thus, in the short term, we feel it'd be prudent for the city to hold off on building the Fox garage until all existing options prove unusable/unavailable (or as nearby surface lots are lost to development).

After all, patrons just might surprise the city at their willingness to walk a block or two from their car (and possibly discover a local shop/eatery/restaurant along the way).

Related

• Nederlander Organization - Broadway in Riverside


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Parking structure needed near Riverside's Fox Theatre, Gardner says (June 10) | Reviving the Fox: First three musicals announced (May 29) | Fox Theatre in Riverside almost restored to original luster (May 17)

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - Open house at the Fox (May 2007) | Riverside council OKs $780M capital improvement plan (Oct. 2006) | City officials consider capital improvement plan (Oct. 2006)

May 2009
Awaiting a lift

Fifteen months after beginning construction, Regency Tower in downtown Riverside is poised to receive its crown.

Sitting alongside the under-construction office building is a 45-foot high, 80,000-pound steel and aluminum dome. In about a week, the dome will be perched atop the southwest corner of the 10-story building. Developer Moshe Silagi says a special crane will used to perform the hoist.

Located at Tenth and Orange streets, Regency Tower was originally developed for the private market. However, the 260,000 sq. ft. building was purchased late last year by Riverside County in order to consolidate several offices scattered across the city. The county, which said it would have cost more to construct its own from scratch, had been discussing a new building for several years.

At any rate, we hope the building signals the return of higher density office projects downtown, whether they be for public or private use.

Photo Update: Regency Tower w/ dome - One | Two (June 2009)

Update

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Riddle of Riverside dome: What does it do? (June 13)

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Downtown Riverside building to be domestruck (May 16)

Previous

• RaincrossSquare.com - County eyeing new office tower (Sept. 2008) | Update: Regency Tower - July 2008 | Ground broken for downtown office building (Feb. 2008) | Site cleared for downtown office building (April 2007)

Jan. 2007

Feb. 2008

July 2008

Aug. 2008

Oct. 2008

Nov. 2008

Jan. 2009

Feb. 2009

March 2009

June 2009

Update: April 21 - Kudos to Riverside City Councilman Rusty Bailey who helped bring the AVP tour to Riverside, a much bigger event than most area residents realize. Early feedback is that AVP officials (and players) were impressed by the setup, the city and convention officials that they're likely to schedule a return visit next year (which could lead to future tour stops).

Update: April 22 - Be sure to check out P-E columnists Dan Bernstein and Jim Alexander regarding the event (we couldn't have said it any better than Jim).

• Photo Galleries: Saturday, April 18 | Sunday, April 19

On the heels of last weekend's Downtown Street Jam, the AVP / Crocs Tour "Riverside Open" rolled into town Thursday for a four-day, professional beach volleyball tournament.

AVP


Photo Gallery: Saturday, April 18


Photo Gallery: Sunday, April 19

The event, which is being staged at a temporary "sandbox" and grandstand located at Market and Third streets (near the convention center), is the second stop on the 2009 schedule and the first time the tour has stopped within the Inland region. A total of 3,500 tons of crisp, clean white sand was trucked in to create the 15 volleyball courts.

Many well-known players are participating, including last year's Beijing Olympics gold medal team of Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser. (Unfortunately, the women's gold medal team of Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor are not playing due to Walsh's pregnancy.)

Free parking -- including in the city's downtown parking garages -- will be available after 5 p.m. on Friday and all day on the weekend. And, of course, food and drinks can be had at the various downtown eateries, restaurants and bars, both on and off the pedestrian mall.

Other stops on the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) 2009 tour include Houston, Atlanta, Brooklyn, San Francisco, Chicago, Las Vegas -- and Mason, Ohio, Muskegon, Michigan and Glendale, Arizona.

So, grab your shades and sunscreen and head to downtown Riverside for some deep digs, hard spikes -- and bikinis.

The schedule for the remaining three days are:

Friday, 10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. - Men's and Women's Main Draw Competition
Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. - Men's and Women's Main Draw Competition
Saturday, 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. - Men's and Women's Main Draw Competition (Night Session)
Sunday, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., with the women's final at 2:30 p.m. and the men's final at 4 p.m.

Tickets are $10-$40 daily or $60-$120 for all sessions.

For those who can't make it, check out live AVP coverage for Saturday/Sunday here.

Related

• AVP.com - 2009 AVP Crocs Tour Riverside Open


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Dan Bernstein: Net Gain For Beach V'ball (April 22) | Top seeds show their grit (April 20) | Video: Sights and sounds from Sunday's finals (April 19) | Photos: AVP Crocs Tour Riverside Open (Sunday) (April 19) | Sand, not surf, brings out volleyball fans (April 19) | Photos: AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Riverside Open (Saturday) (April 18) | Jim Alexander: City makes big-league move with volleyball (April 18) | Beach volleyball hits Riverside this weekend (April 16) | Video: AVP Crocs Tour Riverside Open: Meet the 'Sandbox Crew' (April 16) | Video: Sand dump begins for AVP Crocs Tour event (April 9)

Riverside Downtown Partnership

For those who missed it, Saturday April 11th was the kick-off event for the new "Downtown Street Jam" in Riverside, a free concert series sponsored by the city and local downtown establishments, including Lake Alice Trading Co. and Mission Tobacco Lounge.

Yesterday's event drew several hundred fans to a temporary stage located at Ninth and Orange streets to see local acts, including well-known, homegrown Riverside bands, The Debonaires, The Skeletones and Voodoo Glow Skulls.

The free concert series will take place at Ninth and Orange streets from 2 p.m. - 9 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month for at least the next several months. A mixture of bands and musical genres are planned in hopes of attracting all ages and various tastes (and ears). June's concert is expected to have some Jazz on the set list.

May 9th and June 13th are the next scheduled dates. So, mark your calendars!

Related

• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Fans jam to downtown tunes | Vanessa Franko's blogs from the Jam | Video: Downtown Street Jam | Video: The Debonaires | Video: The Skeletones | Video: Voodoo Glow Skulls


• Riverside Press-Enterprise - Voodoo Glow Skulls will top the bill when Riverside puts some musical heat on the street this weekend (April 10)


• City of Riverside - Downtown Street Jam


• Riverside Downtown Partnership


• IE Weekly