Look what's cooking over at River Park: Ruth's Chris Steak House, Me-n-Ed's slated to open.

The Fresno Bee

Published 06/09/08 09:40:00

Change is happening at The Shops at River Park in Fresno: Ruth's Chris Steak House will open later this summer and Me-n-Ed's Coney Island Grill is open.

River Park spokeswoman Tracy Kashian confirmed that Ruth's Chris will open in the shopping center Aug. 11. The restaurant will be next to REI in the portion of the center facing Blackstone Avenue.

Ruth's Chris, which has 120 locations worldwide, got its name when Ruth Fertel mortgaged her home in 1965 to buy the Chris Steak House in New Orleans. The chain is known for its juicy steaks and wine selection. The 9,500-square-foot restaurant will employ about 100 people.

Me-n-Ed's Slices near Jamba Juice closed and the Fresno company opened the Coney Island restaurant between the parking garage and the movie theater, at the site of a former arcade. The walk-up window has been busy, said district manager and executive chef Marcel Bustos. The restaurant features traditional dining, a patio, rooms reserved for parties and a large arcade area with video games and air hockey tables.

Photo finish

Entrepreneur Kara Smith didn't wait for the "For Sale" sign to go up before offering to buy Magic Moments, a Clovis photo studio on the northeast corner of Shaw and Villa avenues.

Smith, who previously owned Fun Sign Surprise, was searching for a new business venture when she approached the studio's owner Lea Lancaster with an offer.

Smith liked the studio's reputation and value. It's been in business for 17 years, specializing in photos of children and families.

The two women talked for a few months and eventually settled on an agreement. Smith would become the owner and Lancaster would continue to work as a photographer.

Lancaster enjoyed taking pictures far more than handling the business end of the studio and Smith loved the challenge of helping an established business grow.

"It is one of those things that was right for both of us," Smith said.

Although Magic Moments is an established studio, Smith wants to build its clientele by marketing it as an affordable, unique and quality place.

She has redecorated the interior, added a desk to view photos and a play area for children.

The studio's $25 sitting fee includes 12 proofs and it does not charge for most touch-ups. "People are looking for something that is more middle of the road," Smith said. "And we are it."

Site cleanup

The Fresno Redevelopment Agency received a $200,000 federal grant to remove metal contamination from property at the southeast corner of California and Fruit avenues, said Marlene Murphey, agency executive director.

The former salvage yard eventually will contain houses built as part of the ambitious makeover of a one-mile stretch of southwest Fresno.

The plan, financed largely from a federal HOPE VI grant for $20 million, calls for more than 270 new and renovated homes and apartments, a $1.8 million community center that opened in December at Delno and California avenues and a proposed library and offices between Walnut, Plumas, California and Lorena avenues.

The $200,000 grant for the cleanup came from the federal Environmental Protection Agency's Brownfields program approved in 2002. The program helps finance the cleanup of land to be revitalized.

About $74 million in grants were administered to communities in 43 states.