What Will Happen to Thrifty Ice Cream?
Plus: LV News Briefs, New RIVAIR Apartment Complex, Eating at BJ Brewhouse, and Concert Season Kicks Off at Civita
The Linda Vista Update
Linda Vista is about to lose one of its favorite, long-standing traditions. Such is the price we must pay for Rite Aid’s pending bankruptcy. But I am not referring just to the loss of Rite Aid. We are about to lose something even more valuable and delicious.
Time marches on, and we Linda Vista residents are forced to face the changes that come with Time’s relentless forward movement. As mentioned in previous editions of this newsletter, several local commercial establishments have recently fallen by the wayside, victims of so-called progress. We have already faced such changes as the demise of breakfast favorite Perry’s Café, Mexican restaurant Taco Bomb, and Andres Cuban restaurant on Morena Boulevard. We also know that J.C. Penney’s at the Fashion Valley Mall is designated for closure in the near future. And then there is the golf course in Mission Valley that has just a couple more years of existence left, give or take a year, depending on when construction of the Riverwalk development starts up again.
Now, we must face one more major change to the LV landscape with the Rite Aid store at the LV Plaza Shopping Center falling victim to bankruptcy. It’s just a matter of time before the store eventually runs out of inventory and closes its doors. Based on recent headlines, the Rite Aid corporation has once again filed for bankruptcy and the plan is to close all remaining Rite Aid stores. But the impending closure of Rite Aid is just part of what might be a larger dismal future. A bigger change to the traditions of Linda Vista looms ahead. One that is sure to break the hearts of Baby Boomers like myself. I am referring to the questionable fate of Thrifty Ice Cream. This ice cream manufacturer, the plant headquartered in El Monte (near Los Angeles), is owned by the Rite Aid Corporation and will thus be sold as a separate asset in the bankruptcy proceedings. What will happen to Thrifty Ice Cream in the process? Who knows? Is it possible some other entity will buy this asset and continue making Thrifty Ice Cream? Hopefully. Or will someone buy it, sell off the plant equipment, and then make Thrifty Ice Cream obsolete? That is unfortunately a dark possibility.
Who knows what the future holds for Thrifty Ice Cream? It will lose all of its current ice cream dispensing locations at Rite Aid stores. But does that mean the loss of Thrifty Ice Cream in its totality? All I can tell you for sure is that Thrifty Ice Cream brings back so many great memories for Baby Boomers such as myself who grew up in Southern California back in the time when Thrifty drug stores dotted the scenery. The ice cream was a favorite of nearly everyone, and going to a Thrifty drug store to purchase a single scoop of ice cream on a cone for only 5 cents was a comforting childhood ritual that will never be forgotten (two scoops was ten cents, and three scoops cost only 15 cents). This was a fantastic bargain for a high quality ice cream product.
Yes, I know what many of you are thinking right now…”Okay, Boomer, quit being so nostalgic about the olden days. Get with reality.”
Believe me, I understand that sentiment, after all, who want to hear about a time when a scoop of great tasting ice cream cost a mere nickel, especially when that same scoop now costs $1.95? And have you noticed the current price of three scoops –a whopping $4.99. Wow! Turns out inflation has ravaged ice cream more than it has gas prices.
However, in resorting to a nostalgic frame of mind, I merely want to make the point that if Thrifty Ice Cream totally disappears as a product, this ice cream will be sorely missed. I realize there are so many different ice cream choices these days, what with Ben and Jerry’s. and Haagen Dazs, and Breyers all available at grocery and convenience stores, but I have always identified Thrifty Ice Cream as the everyman/woman’s ice cream, just as J.C. Penney is the everyman/woman’s department store. In that regard, I have been happy to see that Thrifty Ice Cream is now sold at many outlets besides Rite Aid, making it easily available for everyone. I last bought a carton of Thrifty’s Rocky Road at Ralphs.
I am going to spend the next few months hoping for the best when it comes to the continued existence of Thrifty Ice Cream. Perhaps a nostalgic Baby Boomer billionaire will come to the rescue and buy the company and ensure the American public, while going through these turbulent times, is still able to be comforted by a delicious tasting treat.
Come to think of it, I am going to spend the rest of today composing a letter to Oprah, asking for her intervention. It will start like this…”Dear Oprah, I know you have more money than you know what to do with, and I hope you like Thrifty Ice Cream as much as I do because I have a great idea for you…”
LV News Briefs:
—LV Community Cleanup: The Bayside Community Center will hold its monthly community cleanup this Sunday morning June 1 at 10:00 am. Volunteers are asked to gather at the Linda Vista Library parking lot (2160 Ulric Street). This is a great opportunity to participate in some community service hours. Please contact the Bayside Community Center at tortiz@baysidecc.org for details on volunteering.
—Free Movies in the Park: Check out HERE the list of free Movies in the Park this summer, sponsored by the San Diego Foundation.
—SD Humane Society Extended Hours: Starting May 31, 2025, adoption hours on Saturdays and Sundays will be extended to 10 am–7 pm at all San Diego Humane Society campuses. The expanded hours will run through Friday, Oct. 25, 2025, offering the community more flexibility to visit the shelter and meet adoptable pets. With more than 1,800 animals currently in care — including more than 700 ready for adoption — the organization hopes these added hours will make a big difference for both pets and potential adopters.
—Sign up for Inside SDPD: The next Inside SDPD event will take place on Saturday June 7. Inside SDPD, conducted by the SD Police Foundation in partnership with the SDPD, provides San Diego citizens with the opportunity to see what life is like for San Diego police officers. The program enables participants to experience various activities related to law enforcement/police training. Register HERE now to ensure you reserve a spot to attend this unique, fun and informative event. Check out the flyer below for details.
Classy New Apartment Complex in Fashion Valley
Commuters making their way through Fashion Valley on Friars Road have all noticed the progress being made on the huge RIVAIR apartment complex, directly across the street from the Fashion Valley Mall. Construction on the complex has been going on for quite some time, with many a traffic cone guiding cars past closed lanes during the work week. However, as the complex heads toward total completion, renters have already started moving in to occupy apartments units.
We recently came across a brochure for RIVAIR Apartment Homes that used words like “luxury”, “high-end”, “sparkling”, and “incredible” to describe the venue. And based on a tour taken of the complex, we came away convinced that such words do indeed accurately describe the apartments, the grounds, and all the associated amenities.
RIVAIR consists of studio, and 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. A total of 316 units will eventually be available when the building is complete. The lowest rental price currently available for a studio apartment is $2560.00. A one bedroom apartment goes for as low as $3010.00. And a two-bedroom apartment goes for as low as $3595.00. Parking is free for one car. A second car will cost $76.00 a month. Utilities are not included in the rent.
A look at a two-bedroom apartment (926 square feet) revealed highlights like a very attractive living room/kitchen area with an island, a master bedroom with a walk-in closet, and a small balcony. The biggest two bedroom apartment is 1039 square feet.
Living at RIVAIR means having access to a number of very classy and convenient amenities. These include a swimming pool and jacuzzi, barbecue grills, a hibachi grill, different deck and courtyard settings with comfortable furniture, a clubhouse, a two-level and two- room fitness center complete with weights and exercise bikes, a conference room, a dog park, and even a pet spa/washing area.
The views from the decks and pool area are spectacular. They must be great places to relax during both day and night time. Overall, the complex exudes a classy resort ambience.
Of course, RIVAIR also touts convenience, being right across the street from the Fashion Valley Mall, a trolley stop, and a couple of major freeways.
RIVAIR is currently featuring a special of one month free rent if you move in at this time.
If interested in learning more about RIVAIR, please go HERE to check out the website.
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse for Lunch
We wrote recently about the new upcoming project at Hazard Center which will rebrand the retail and office complex and be named The Landing at HZRD. The plan is to modernize and renovate the property to become a destination for luxury retail, health and wellness, entertainment and upscale dining, according to what has been written about the project. We have always enjoyed many of the current establishments at Hazard Center including Wood Ranch Barbeque, Barnes and Noble, FedEx, Lakeshore Learning and more. Starbucks and the little coffee shop have already gone, and we are now wondering what will become of the remaining businesses and what new ones may come to the Landing. We realized we hadn’t eaten at BJ’s in quite a while, and thought we should review the restaurant just in case it becomes one of the casualties of the new reimagined destination
We decided to go to BJ’s for lunch on a weekday. We used the call ahead function to be put on a wait list. However, when we arrived, we found it was not necessary and were seated immediately. The restaurant is quite spacious with numerous TV screens showing different sporting events The vibe is just what you would think of a brewhouse bar/restaurant. There is indoor and outdoor dining, and we chose an inside table. The staff was very friendly. BJ’s has been brewing for 27 years according to their website and has 6 breweries and a shelf full of gold medals. The beer menu is very extensive.
BJ’s food menu is also quite extensive. They have specials every day , a group of $13 meals, shareable appetizers, pizzas, entrees, burgers, sandwiches and tacos, soups and salads, pastas, desserts and kids’ menu. They have a selection of gluten sensitive options, and non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. Since it was lunch time and most of the $13 special meals included meat, we checked out the appetizer menu and ordered avocado egg rolls ($15.99) and Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts ($9.99), which we agreed to share.
The avocado egg rolls consisted of avocado, cream cheese, sun dried tomatoes, red onions cilantro, chipotle peppers wrapped in a rich delicious, crispy egg roll shell. You can see from the picture that there was easily enough for both of us. On the side was a sweet tamarind dipping sauce which was one of the best dipping sauces I have ever tasted. These egg rolls were delicious and of course vegetarian.
The honey sriracha Brussel sprouts consisted of crisp, fried brussels sprouts, lemon pepper, sesame seasoning topped with a sweet sriracha crema. This also was a good quantity of food. We both really like brussels sprouts, and these were cooked just right. Crispy and flavorful and the honey sriracha gave the dish a spicy tang but was tempered by the sweetness. Excellent. These two appetizers made a nice lunch for the both of us.
Unfortunately, we did not have Carnivore Sidekick to check out some meat dishes. He was supposed to join us, but things didn’t work out. However, if you check out the menu online, you will see some great options. One thing he would have ordered for sure was the Gourmet Five Meat Pizza for $34.99. No surprise there. However, on Monday, this pizza is half price, so maybe he will get to try it then. Besides a great array of pizzas, their chicken, fish, jambalaya, steak and ribs assure there is something for everyone’s taste, so please check the online menu. You can order online and pickup in the restaurant or curbside if you don’t wish to dine in.
I certainly hope you will give BJ’s a try if you haven’t already. And I hope that BJ’s remains after The Landing at HZRD becomes a fact. I’m looking forward to seeing what other establishments become part of the project and hopefully we will have some new restaurants to review. But first, I need to go back to BJ’s for the big twist pretzel and beer cheese.
Popular Concert Series at Civita Kicks Off
The popular Sunset Sunday concert series at Civita kicks off on June 22 with a concert by the 1980s dance band BETAMAXX. The ultra-high-energy BETAMAXX delivers a nonstop, nostalgia-filled rock concert that keeps the dance floor packed with tunes from Michael Jackson, Madonna, New Order, Bon Jovi, Depeche Mode, and more. Formed in 2009, BETAMAXX captivates audiences all over Southern California with their authentic ‘80s live music experience.
The free summer concerts run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the outdoor amphitheater in Civita Park at the intersection of Civita Boulevard and Russell Park Way in Mission Valley. Guests are invited to bring blankets, beach chairs and picnics. Take-out meals are available across the street at Poki Bowl or from a selection of food trucks.
On July 20, Cassie B, a powerhouse performer and recording artist, will perform a mix of party music, ranging from Taylor Swift and the latest Top 40 hits to nostalgic music from the past. She has headlined stages across Southern California and performed at major venues, such as Petco Park and The Rady Shell. Come prepared to dance your heart out with Cassie B and her band.
The highly rated Lucky Devils dance band will debut at Civita Park on August 17. The high-energy band has performed with Beyoncé, Don Henley, Gloria Estefan, Kesha and Santana. Their musical repertoire spans Motown, funk, soul, rock, country, Latin and pop for a fantastic concert experience.
On September 7, the Mighty Untouchables returns to Civita Park amphitheater. This popular multi-cultural mix of musicians and singers entertains worldwide, bringing everything from Motown to classic rock, along with Latin, country and current pop hits. Their repertoire includes songs from Lizzo, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Earth, Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson, Prince, Toto, David Bowie, The Temptations, Journey, and more. After more than 10 years together, the Mighty Untouchables has crafted a show that combines a feverish dance party with a stunning concert experience.
The 14-acre Civita Park is the social and civic heart of Civita, the 230-acre master-planned community being developed on a former rock quarry site in Mission Valley. The multi-level public park features active play areas, civic event areas, gardens, stylish group seating, a community garden, a dog park, outdoor game areas, a military tribute, and an interactive splash fountain. For information on the community and updates on the concert series, visit www.civitalife.com
Subscribe to the Linda Vista Update
We invite everyone to subscribe to the Linda Vista Update. It’s free! Just click on the “Subscribe now” button located below.
The Linda Vista Update is a weekly digital newsletter that publishes informative, interesting, and fun news about Linda Vista and its neighboring communities. We welcome ideas for stories. Let us know about any interesting people, places, or upcoming events.