Businesses Along Palm Avenue Open, Close and Make Changes

More than 100 businesses are on or near Palm Avenue.

On an average weekday, nearly 50,000 cars drive along this portion of State Route 75, according to 2009 Caltrans statistics.

Without question, it is a major entry point to Imperial Beach and vein of city commerce.

Here is a rundown of changes made by local businesses along Palm Avenue within the past few months.

First, new businesses.

Near 13th Street and Palm Avenue, construction started at the beginning of , said Mark Kravis with MKI Products.

A heart-healthy Italian restaurant is scheduled to open in the next few weeks off 9th Street and Palm Avenue. Owners Mary and Robert Jabalee are still working on a name, but it may be called the Roma Trading Company.

A Dollar Store opened in October 2010. The store carries—you guessed it—$1 deals on balloons, greeting cards and other items you'll be hard pressed to find cheaper anywhere else.

A few doors down, Factory 2 U closed its doors earlier this month. Goodwill expects to move into the former Factory 2 U by April after some renovations.

On Feb. 1, moved from 986 Palm Ave. to 1223 Palm Ave. Barber and salon areas are separate at the new address. Full-service old-parlor razor shaves are now available.

After more than 15 years as International Blends, the coffee shop took on new owners last November and is now called the .

One of the cafe's three owners can often be found behind the counter. The sign on the window was changed, a fresh coat of paint added and the walls have been filled with paintings by local artists, several of whom are members of the Art Kids of San Diego County.

Menu items have stayed much the same with coffee, tea and smoothies, but more is to come, said co-owner Shawna Chalmers.

A soft-serve ice cream machine will be installed in the summer and gelato is now available. Tuesday is now , Thursday is and this Friday, the Imperial Beach Health Center will offer on healthcare and how to get coverage.

The cafe's owners are also looking for music talent to perform during the week or on weekends.

"I think the most important thing for people to know about us is the coffee is good, sandwiches are stacked and a number of the pasrties are made everyday in-house," she said.

Hundreds of people attended a grand opening ceremony held Jan. 22, where the Art Kids of San Diego County did face painting and Imperial Beach Patch passed out free coffee.

Back at the other end of Palm Avenue near 13th Street, about six months ago took out a store next door to add a seating area that can hold 60 people and new tables "so we can have dining parties and stuff," said one of the owners of the family restaurant.

El Cilantro has also added an All-American breakfast menu every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with classic omelets, pancakes and other new menu items.

At , holistic health practitioner Ruth Cole now teaches Tai Chi classes every Wednesday for $5 a class.

is expected to complete changes mandated by the city of Imperial Beach within the next few weeks.

Last fall, the City Council voted to enact new standards for the city's sole adult entertainment store that require the business to limit the size of viewing booths and provide access to the disabled, among other things.

Every Friday and Saturday night from 9 p.m.-2 a.m., DJ Funky Diabetic is on the turntables at .

is temporarily closed for renovations.

Every Thursday night at the is which kicks off at 9 p.m. with the start of Grey's Anatomy. $2.50 glasses of wine and cheese plate specials.

Subsmart at 1231 Palm Ave. added a new chipotle sauce and $2 carne asada tacos to their menu.

"They're served with Monterey Jack cheese, chipotle sauce and a little fresco," said owner Chris Justin.

Next door at , military discounts are now available up to 20 percent.

"The bigger the tattoo, the bigger the discount," said co-owner Joel Procopio. His storefront has a new sign and stucco added to the exterior through the Imperial Beach Redevelopment Agency's facade improvement program.

Other notable changes made along Palm Avenue

- Curbs at Ninth Street and Palm Avenue were lowered to meet handicap standards.

- Signs promoting the city of Imperial Beach replaced previous signs that were hung from lamp poles for the previous decade. New signs inviting people to run from the start of Palm Avenue to 13th Street.

- .