The summer is hot and so is this local news that is fresh off the presses.
Local Harkins Slated to Close
In late July, it was confirmed that the Harkins Theatres North Valley 16, located at 3420 East Bell Road, will be closing later this year. Details on what will takes its place and an exact closing date are still in the works.
Phase One of Paradise Valley Mall Redevelopment Begins
Phase one of the Paradise Valley Mall redevelopment by RED Development has officially started with demolition now underway. The first phase includes the demolition of Sears, Macy’s and other portions of the mall. The demo, which will take place in one single phase, will continue through the rest of the year with construction expected to begin this fall on Whole Foods along with the residential multi-family units and retail spaces.
After the demo is complete, infrastructure and new roadways will be created throughout the site for the new building pads. While the majority of the mall is now closed, JC Penney and Costco remain open. Visit reddevelopment.com/paradise-valley-mall-redevelopment for the most up to date information.
Grounded32 Opens in North 32nd
With all of the news of businesses closing or changing, we’re happy to share that many businesses and nonprofits are opening and choosing to call North 32nd home! Grounded32 just opened on the southeast corner of 32nd Street and Thunderbird. A nonprofit organization, Grounded32 is described as, “A safe place to be a messy human being. We try to make the world a little less lonely and a whole lot more meaningful.” Featuring classes, workshops, meet-ups, and more, the space is by the community for the community. To learn more, visit grounded32.org and follow along on Facebook @Grounded32.
Local Volunteers Needed to Help Homebound Adults and Seniors Fight Isolation
As temperatures in the Valley continue to rise, isolated homebound adults, many of whom are seniors, face increased difficulty in everyday tasks such as grocery shopping or getting to and from medical appointments. For forty years, nonprofit Duet: Partners In Health & Aging has been matching volunteers with homebound adults for free-of-charge services that include help with grocery shopping, transportation to medical appointments, providing friendly visits, and more. This summer, Duet is in need of new volunteers to help local homebound adults (affectionately called ‘neighbors’).
Volunteers set their own hours and Duet matches them with homebound adults close to them, so it’s flexible and convenient. Just a few hours a month during the day, evening, or weekend can make a world of difference in the life of a homebound adult. The first step to becoming a Duet volunteer is to attend an orientation. The next volunteer orientation is on August 18 at 2 p.m. at the Duet office. To register for orientation, call (602) 274-5022, email [email protected], or visit duetaz.org/volunteer.
A North 32nd Family-Centric Business Bounces Back After the Pandemic
Michelle Ludwig, owner of the motherhood co., shares that she and her team are, “Beyond excited to be back and ready to help expecting parents, new moms, and parents and mothers in all stages.” Founded in May 2019, Ludwig says that the motherhood co. was met with amazing neighbors and a lot of love from the community. “The community of families that attended classes, utilized resources, and called the space a second home grew rapidly. COVID-19 unfortunately caused the camaraderie to come to crashing halt.” Surviving a pandemic was not in the business model for the motherhood co., but they pivoted and offered virtual classes and groups. Now, in-person classes and groups are back in session. Resources at the motherhood co. include: childbirth classes and resources, breastfeeding classes, toddler and baby classes, mental health support groups, busy mom networking events, women’s self-care workshops, yoga classes, and more. To learn more, visit themotherhoodco.com. The motherhood co. is located at 10401 N. 32nd Street, Suite A.
. The motherhood co. is located at 10401 N. 32nd Street, Suite A.
