About Town – New lease at former Ruby’s, pickleball, pro-life, pro-choice events
Quality Seafood owners lease former Ruby’s
The owners of Qualify Seafood, Inc. have leased the former Ruby’s building at Seaside Lagoon with plans to create a “California barbecue” restaurant.
Jeff Jones, president of the family-owned company, spoke to the Redondo Beach city council Tuesday night about the project.
“We are going to build what we think is a pretty phenomenal restaurant,” he said.
Jones signed a lease agreement with the city for $11,000 per month – or eight percent of gross sales.
City representatives noted the rate is the highest ever the city has gotten for the property.
“We very much expect this lease to generate much more than $130,000 a year for us,” said City Manager Mike Witzansky.
Jones, the son-in-law of Quality Seafood co-founder Pete Dragich, Jr., estimates the new restaurant will open in 10-12 months.
Ruby’s closed in 2020. The chain has 19 other locations, including one in Palos Verdes.
City to hire consultant for retail marijuana licensing
The Redondo Beach city council Tuesday night approved the pending hire of a consultant to help create a process to license cannabis retailers.
Councilmembers also accepted a list of recommendations from the planning commission to limit where two permitted stores might be allowed.
Both items are part of the council’s effort to write an ordinance to allow retail marijuana sales in Redondo Beach.
Next is a public hearing in July, after which the council may vote on a final ordinance.
King Harbor Amenities consultants announce next steps
The latest schedule for the King Harbor Amenities Plan has been set by city consultants SWA Group. Dates are as follows.
On May 20, SWA intends to submit a 50 percent draft of the plan to the city’s working committee. The working committee would then meet May 23 to review it, along with survey results. May 31 is the date for a final community meeting before public hearings to review the draft plan.
On June 30, SWA will submit a 100 percent draft plan. From that point, the city prepares for public hearings in July, August and September.
The schedule was announced at Monday night’s Harbor Commission meeting.
35th Walk for Life South Bay nears
The 35th annual “Walk for Life South Bay” is Saturday, May 21 at Veterans Park, starting at 8:30 a.m.
Sponsored by Pregnancy Help Center, in Torrance, the fundraiser’s three-mile route goes down the Strand to Torrance Beach and back.
Walkers raise money through pledges, covering the $45 registration fee (which includes a T-shirt) and more.
All proceeds go to support services offered by the Pregnancy Help Center, including pregnancy testing, Ultrasound, parenting classes and post-abortion recovery.
Redondo students to hold pro-choice rally
Redondo Union High School seniors Zoe Nix and Cecilia Apitz have organized “A Peaceful Protest Against the Overturn of Roe vs. Wade” to be held Sunday, May 15 at noon in front of the Redondo Beach Public Library. The event, at the corner of Diamond Street and Pacific Coast Highway, is not affiliated with the Redondo Beach Unified School District.
Six pickleball courts slated for Aviation Park
Six pickleball courts will be built at Aviation Park, pending inclusion in the city’s next five-year budget for capital improvements. The Redondo Beach city council May 3 chose the option of six courts behind the gym at the park over a list of other choices.
Estimated cost of the project is $600,000. The city is required to pass its next capital improvements budget in June.