2024 May InMaricopa Magazine

BUSINESS

BRIEF

Maricopa wasn’t short on slices for long. Just a few weeks after Dell’s Pizza & Wings Express closed shop, Queen Creek-based Vero Chicago Pizza announced in late March it would take over the joint and installed permanent signage in April. The pizza parlor says the Maricopa location is “coming soon” but it isn’t ready to announce an opening date yet.

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A crowd of family, friends and local business owners flanked LaQuinta Fisher as she cut the ribbon in front her new salon, Silk Press Xpress, at 44360 W. Edison Road, Suite 130.

The fledgling entrepreneur hosted a swanky ribbon cutting and grand opening event April 6, complete with a luxurious food spread, music and a champagne toast. “It’s always been a dream of mine to own a salon and I’m really excited,” Fisher told InMaricopa. “I think the community in general is really happy about another beauty place in town, so they don’t have to drive so far.”

AFTER

H ECTOR MACHADO NEVER SAW himself punching the clock just to sit underneath a florescent light all day. “I love the outdoors and breathing in the fresh air instead of sitting behind a desk or in an office,” he said. “I’ve always worked outdoors, either as an equipment operator or superintendent or doing this now. I’ve never had an indoor job.” That has translated into more than two decades in the construction and landscaping industries, which includes founding his own business, Machado’s Hardscapes. Since 2005, Machado’s Hardscapes has designed and installed hardscaping projects in yards across Maricopa, Casa Grande, Chandler and Machado’s to celebrate 20 years

Yet another sit-down pizzeria is crust over the horizon. Ahwatukee-based Zzeek’s Pizza submitted pre-application paperwork last month to open its sixth location near the southeast corner of Honeycutt and Whisker Roads, a public records request revealed. If approved, the pizza parlor would be the first restaurant east of Porter Road.

Just in time for another sizzling Arizona summer, KidzNPlay hosted a grand opening for a new family-friendly event rental space at Molly’s House of Little Feet, 16540 N. Porter Road, which includes a new splashpad. Perfect for birthdays, holidays and other family-oriented celebrations, event packages begin at $175 for three hours of playtime. To reserve the space, email KidzNPlayRental@gmail.com. KidzNPlay splashpad

BEFORE

In addition to Machado’s two decades of experience in the construction and landscaping industries, he also has the benefit of working with a small, close-knit team for years. “My main guy has been with me for about 12 years now,” he said. “The other guys are going on about five years, seven years. So, they know how I want the job done. I’ve taught them how to do things a specific way for how I want it done.” And for Machado that ultimately equates to one goal: happy customers. “We always want to make sure we leave a home with a happy customer,” he said. “If you can keep homeowners happy and do good work, you’re going to go a long way.”

Phoenix. This ranges from replacing a dirty and weed-filled yard with artificial turf to designing an outdoor kitchen under a custom-made pergola. Installing pavers or artificial turf are some of their most common jobs. “Some people are just tired of

Maricopa’s first major discount retailer will permanently shut its doors this summer. Commerce, Calif.-based discount giant 99 Cents Only announced last month plans to shutter all 371 of its stores in Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas after 40 years in business. An exact closing date for the Maricopa location has not been announced. Residents welcomed the discount store in 2013 with a line of 400 people awaiting eye-popping discounts, which included 99-cent flatscreen TVs for the first nine customers.

The long-awaited Cold Stone Creamery unfurled a “coming soon” banner in the Maricopa Wells shopping center at 17430 N. Porter Road in late March. The store is accepting job applications and says it’s “coming soon” on its website. The company does not return calls or emails inquiring about an opening date.

having grass,” he said. “Watering, cutting it, maintaining it. It’s a lot of work, so people have us come in, tear up the old grass and put in new turf or pavers.” As for what makes Machado’s business stand out from the competition? “The experience,” he said. “It’s the experience, the knowledge and the length of time we’ve been out here.” Hector Machado

Cold Stone’s progress, however, has been moving forward at glacial speed. Interior construction appears to have only recently begun with some floor work, even though the Scottsdale-based creamery received its permit for tenant improvements in November.

520-709-1847 MachadosHardscapes.com

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