Two new places are open or opening soon here in Cave Creek. Glazed Donuts in the Fry’s Center at Dove Valley Ranch, next to Goodwill Donation has been open for several days and is getting rave reviews. Located in the old Samurai Sam’s spot that has been long vacant, the shop also serves coffee, assorted beverages and has a “great, local vibe.”

Dynasty will be opening soon into the previous J Chens’ location at Cave Creek and Tatum, next to Circle K. It is good to see the areas’ commercial space seeing great new businesses, and many locals are looking forward to a quality Chinese restaurant in the neighborhood

Dove Valley Ranch and Cave Creek residents have another choice for health care in the neighborhood with the imminent opening of a NextCare Urgent Care center in the Fry’s shopping center, located at Carefree Highway and Black Mountain Parkway near Papa John’s. Anticipating an opening the first week of January 1 2022 , the Urgent Care center will be equipped to treat a wide variety of maladies and health needs, including Covid testing and vaccines, general illness, injury, ,pediatrics, x-rays, lab services, and pain management.

In addition to in-person visits to the Dove Valley facility, NextCare offers virtual doctor visits for non-emergency situations such as sprains, allergies, prescription refills, cuts/burns/abrasions, sore throat and vomiting/diarrhea without fever. There are nearly twenty NextCare Urgent Care centers across the Valley, with the next closest being at Tramonto Marketplace at Carefree Highway and I-17.

Cigar lounges are becoming nearly as popular as storage facilities at our end of the Valley. In addition to Sticks on Easy Street in Carefree, there is Smoke and Joe at Cave Creek and Tatum and Torch on High Street in Desert Ridge.

Hecho A Mano is the next cigar lounge set to open in coming months and will be located in the Terravita Marketplace, across from Liberty Station. Tenant improvements are underway on the end cap next to Sesame Inn.

According to their press release: “Hecho a Mano Cigar Lounge sells high quality hand rolled cigars at fantastic retail prices and features Beer and Wine sales as well as non-alcoholic beverage choices. We have comfortable indoor and outdoor seating areas and multiple televisions in a relaxed and social environment.”

                                Fat Willy’s Family Sports Grill to open in previous Gallaghers’ site

Dove Valley Ranch and Cave Creek will be welcoming a new business this fall into the old Gallaghers’ site at Carefree Highway and Black Mountain Parkway.

Fat Willy’s Family Sports Grill, an Arizona outfit with several other locations in the southeast Valley and Tucson has purchased the large 7400 square foot structure built in 2007. For nearly 15 years the building was the home of Gallaghers’ Sports Grill, which closed shortly after the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic last spring.   Interior renovations are now in the works, and the owner is looking forward to a September opening.

Fat Willys’ was established in 2008, and this will reportedly be their seventh location. Their sports grill offers a  popular happy hour, and an expansive menu consisting of burgers, sandwiches, pastas, salads, and entrees.

An 8.5 acre parcel located at the northeast corner of Carefree Highway and Central Avenue, which sold in February, has been leveled and prepared for development. The large parcel was originally several parcels and contained an old mobile home and several other dilapidated structures. It is currently zoned R-43, or one home per acre.

NextGen Homes owns the parcel and plans on putting several custom or semi-custom homes on the rear portion of the parcel with access off Central Avenue. While plans are not firm, it is likely the front portion of the parcel will be commercially developed. NextGen is developing several other homesites on the south side of Carefree Highway at Central Avenue as well.

The Carefree Highway corridor has seen significant activity and development the last couple of years, with many frontage lots changing hands as developers seek land, and owners look to cash in on all-time high property values.