Fast-casual restaurants whip up plans to open after the new year – Ramona Sentinel

A Tropical Pineapples smoothie shop, Panda Express and possibly one other eatery are likely to open in Ramona in early 2021, depending on how well the owners can navigate the building and remodeling maze created by COVID-19 mandates.

Panda Express

The Panda Express restaurant under construction near 13th and Main streets in Ramona is nearly completed and expected to open just after the new year, planners say.

Steve Pollett, property manager for owners John and Heidi Farkash, said the opening date depends heavily on COVID-19 conditions and its related rules and regulations.

Were taking it one day at a time, but were full steam ahead trying to get it opened the first of the year, said Pollett, adding that the Panda Express will have a drive-through and offer takeout food a plus in the COVID era. Were getting it done, doing it right and not taking any shortcuts.

As of the last week of October, Pollett said the walls had been framed and the restaurants interior was beginning to take shape with a kitchen, dining area and two restrooms. The 2,000-square-foot Panda Express will have an adjacent covered patio that will be shared with the 2,000-square-foot building, also owned by the Farkashes, on the other side of the property.

The occupant of the other building has not been identified yet, but it could be another eatery, Pollett said. The 2,340-square-foot covered patio sandwiched between the buildings will be open for community use.

Carole Wylie of Wylie Architecture Planning Interior Design Inc. of Ramona, who designed the buildings, said Pandas interior can seat about 50 diners at 12 booths and two tables that seat eight people each. The exterior space under a covered porch will seat about 16 people.

Some signs of completion to watch for are the installation of four doors to enclose the patio between the two buildings for safety at night, planting of the landscaping and bringing down the exterior chain link fence, Pollett said.

Plans also call for Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility and building a walkway so patrons of the Panda Express or its adjacent business can walk to Starbucks nearby. Parking will be available in 32 spaces behind the buildings.

A Tropical Pineapples smoothie shop planned by Peter and Shayna San Nicolas will have a tropical boho theme.

(Courtesy )

Tropical Pineapple

Peter San Nicolas and his wife Shayna, owners of Ramona Fitness Center, are resurrecting their smoothie shop business with plans to open a new Tropical Pineapples venture just after the new year.

The new shop will feature organic smoothies, juices, bowls, Kombucha on tap and possibly other healthy food items such as avocado toast, Peter San Nicolas said. A signature Tropical Pineapple drink will be a mango-pineapple smoothie served in a to-go bamboo cup. Customers will also be able to select from a dozen different types of smoothies and a half-dozen bowls filled with fruit, granola and nut seeds.

The store will be beside Jersey Mikes Subs and Rubios Coastal Grill, where the Supercuts hair salon had been, at 1664 Main St., Suite C.

Its not too far from where the couple used to run a Hurricane Juice and Supplements store in the same Stater Bros. shopping center. Peter San Nicolas said his family operated Hurricane Juice for about four years, from 2003-06, but closed it to focus more on their growing family. Hurricane Juice and Supplements was moved to his Ramona Fitness Center, where gym patrons and other visitors can still get protein shakes at City Blend.

We had so many people tell us how much they missed the smoothie store and wanted another one, San Nicolas said. It will be an awesome place for the young people of Ramona and really for everyone.

The owners say they are looking to create a tropical boho theme and deliver on healthy ingredients drawing from Shayna San Nicolas experience as a nutritional therapy practitioner. Customers can add spices and herbs such as turmeric, ginger root and cinnamon to boost the immune system and promote a healthy gut, Peter San Nicolas said. Other additives may include fresh coconut, raw honey, Greek yogurt, spinach and kale, he said.

The 1,100-square-foot Tropical Pineapples store will be able to accommodate roughly 20 customers inside with additional limited seating outside. San Nicolas said it will have a cool vibe similar to downtown San Diego venues.

The family hopes it could be the start of a franchise.

The goal is to be replicating this in San Diego and the Southern California area, Peter San Nicolas said. At that point we will make it available for franchise opportunities. The No. 1 goal is to provide something that Ramona doesnt already have.

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Fast-casual restaurants whip up plans to open after the new year - Ramona Sentinel