Businesses expand, move to Anderson

Two nationally-owned retail stores plan to move into Shasta Outlets in March, General Manager Linda Austin said, although she's not permitted to release the names of the businesses yet, she said during a telephone interview. The two stores involve different concepts but are owned by the same company, she added.

One incoming store will occupy the former KB Toy Outlet location of 4,500 square feet and the other will occupy a 6,500 square feet location between Paper Factory and Maurices, Austin said.

"It's really good news in this economy," Austin said.

With the passing of the new year, Austin reported that 2.5 million shoppers visited the Shasta Outlets in 2009. That number is 200,000 shoppers lower than in 2008, she said.

"(We) really missed not having a toy store here, definitely," Austin said.

With eight empty spaces left at the outlet mall, Austin said six stores have vacated the outlets since 2008: Marble Slab Creamery, Totes, Claires, Big Town Hero, Big Dogs and KB Toy outlet.

On the other hand, Austin named four businesses that have opened in that period: Debs, Rue21, Maurices and Gymboree.

Taco Barn to open outlet here

After closing the Taco Barn at the corner of Deschutes and Balls Ferry roads last month, owner Francisco Galvan, 32, of Redding, said a new Taco Barn will open next week, within the first few days of February, Galvan said.

Now located in the former KFC building at 2727 Ventura St. off Balls Ferry Rd., Galvan said the new location will be an improvement in service to customers, including indoor seating and a drive-in window.

The former Taco Barn at 5531 Deschutes Road had been open since 1999, Galvan said. He subsequently opened a Redding location on Hartnell Avenue in 2007.

"I brought the flavor from down south in San Diego," Galvan said of his recipies, adding that San Diego transplants who come to Taco Barn say the flavor reminds them of home.

One of the restaurant's signature offerings is a steak burrito containing guacamole, salsa fresca, and French fries, Galvan said.

The new restaurant's grand opening will feature half-priced off everything on the menu, Galvan said.

The restaurant will be open seven days a week, with breakfast starting at 7:30 a.m.

For more information, contact the restaurant at 365-1812.

Child care opens

Cottonwood resident Barbara Werner announced the opening of her home childcare business, which she began operating last month at 2944 Majestic Oak Circle in Cottonwood.

Werner said she has a large yard, many toys, and the school bus stops at her driveway.

Werner added that she does not turn on the television, but engages children in walks, singing, and educational activities.

Werner said she was a licensed child care provider in Sacramento for 12 years. For more information, contact Werner at 347-6143.

Animal clinic grows

In business for nearly 50 years, the Anderson Veterinary Clinic at 3100 W. Center St. will move across Mill Street in February while a new office is constructed on its current grounds as well as a lot to the immediate north, owner Dr. Marilee King said.

King, who has owned and operated the veterinary business for the past eight years, said she hopes the construction project will be completed well before Christmas.

The new structure will improve the clinic's floor space from 4,200 square to 7,000 square feet and include in-floor radiant heating and air conditioning for the comfort of all the animals, King said.