Davorn’s Place will relocate across Willis Street into the former Bravo Farms Smokehouse
By John Lindt
Sierra2theSea News Service
VISALIA – Visalia’s Bravo Farms Smokehouse, formerly The Wagon Wheel landmark steakhouse at 400 N. Willis in Downtown Visalia has shut their doors and will instead be leased by Davorn’s Place, a popular Thai eatery located right across the street. The move will come later in June. Davorn’s will more than double their space and feature a full bar as well in their new location.
Bravo Farms owner Jonathon Van Ryn says the Smoke house that opened in 2012 “never fit the mold of the restaurant type he was looking for, more tourist-oriented and instead he is concentrating on his three Bravo Farms locations in the Central Valley – in Kettleman City, Tulare and in Traver.
In the case of the Traver Bravo Farms location, the restaurant underwent a full remodel adding a new kitchen and re-opening about a month ago says Van Ryn. The 4000sf eatery and food/fruit store caters to tourists traveling along Hwy 99.
“What we realized is that for six months out of the year it is either 32 degrees or 110 and it makes sense to have less outdoor seating than we had figured.”
As far as the cuisine change in Downtown, Visalians will be looking at less meat and potatoes and more eggplant and poke.
Les Schwab plans Mooney tire store
Tire retailer Les Schwab plans to open a 1,249-square foot tire store on the southwest corner of Mooney and Visalia Parkway at a new shopping center planned there. The Oregon-based chain has stores in Hanford, Dinuba and Porterville in our area and over 400 locations in the western U.S. The proposed shopping center may include a new 5 acre CarMax dealership as well.
New stores opening at Visalia Mall
Visalia Mall has announced the opening of several new stores later this year.
Hibbett Sports has leased 4,330-square foot (former Styles For Less & Visalia Police Department Community Service center) space. The retailer has a store in Hanford. Also Crescent Jewelers will lease a 1,206-square foot (former Things Remembered) space with an Oct. 19 opening. Meanwhile Don Roberto Jewelers is expanding into a 677-square foot (former Butter Boys Cookies) space. Current store will be completely remodeled into their latest prototype. Don Roberto’s will remain open in a temporary location by Old Navy. New store is slated for an Oct. 19 opening.
New Microbrewery for Visalia
Applicant Justin Cate has filed preliminary plans to open a microbrewery and tasting room at 1629 E. Main Street, near the DMV in Visalia. The place will be called Simply Brewing Co.
