Greg Wilcox: New dealership takes over old Simi Valley lot

Kirby Jeep Dodge Ram of Simi Valley has taken over the space formerly occupied by Simi Valley Chrysler Jeep Dodge, which closed during the recession.

The new store, in the 2300 block of First Street, has about 35 employees, many of whom worked at the former facility.

"It's been a great reception. People are glad we are new and open for business," said Jeff Sukay, one of the owners of Kirby Automotive Group, which also operates a Kia dealership in Ventura.

And things are picking up for Chrysler, which appears to have weathered the Great Recession.

The company just reported its best April since 2008, with new-vehicle sales up 37 percent from a year earlier. It was the 13th consecutive year-over-year increase for the automaker.

Sukay is confident the trend will continue and he likes the market area his new store serves.

"This was a great opportunity because Simi Valley is a very solid, close-knit community. There are a lot of Chrysler owners in Moorpark, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks," he said.

Granada Village, a retail fixture in the 10800 block of Zelzah Avenue since 1965, recently announced that HomeGoods and Petco will occupy a total of 39,000 square feet. These retailers will join Sprouts Farmers Market and discounters T.J. Maxx and Stein Mart when the renovation is finished early next year, said Heather Randall, vice president of Regency Centers, which owns the complex.

The new mix of retailers

could make the village into a regional shopping destination in the North Valley.

"The T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods draw from a significantly larger area than a grocery store and drug store and will be pulling customers in regionally," Randall said.

Petco, which leased 11,350 square feet, is scheduled to open this fall.

HomeGoods, a unit of TJX Companies Inc., leased 27,500 square feet and is scheduled to open next spring, the last element of the renovation. This is the first store in the Northeast Valley market for the home furnishings retailer.

Regency says the T.J. Maxx store in Granada Hills is one of the chain's top performers in Southern California.

Regency bought Granada Village in 2005 and owns 19 centers in the L.A. area.

Daniella Alonso Vanessa Marcil Missy Peregrym Alexis Bledel Malin Akerman