By Staci Baird on Oct 1, 2026

Checking Out, Shipping In and Signing Off

Grocery Outlet bags a grand opening, FedEx packages a celebration, and closure signs leave questions on the menu at Aoki and Carl’s Jr.

Local Business Buzz 🐝

Members of the La Verne Chamber of Commerce join Mark Olthoff and his family for the Grocery Outlet's grand opening Sept. 29. Olthoff's daughter, Honor, (middle) helped her father with the large scissors use to cut the red ribbon. Photo courtesy Mark Olthoff

Grocery Outlet checks grand opening off its list

Grocery Outlet celebrated its grand opening Tuesday, Sept. 29, after mandatory evacuations during the Weymouth battery fire forced the store to postpone the festivities. Located in The Commons at La Verne shopping center, 1504 Foothill Blvd., the store is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

FedEx Office delivers a grand opening Oct. 13

La Verne’s new FedEx Office Print & Ship Center is putting the finishing touches on its grand opening, scheduled for Oct. 13. Store Manager Jonathan Greene said the celebration will include giveaways and a raffle for a free 3-by-5-foot banner. The three-employee store at 1335 Foothill Blvd. opened in August.

Aoki Japanese Sushi Restaurant Temporarily Closes

Aoki Japanese Sushi in Old Town La Verne is temporarily closed because of family health matters, according to a notice on its front doors. Photo by Staci Baird/La Verne Daily News

Aoki Japanese Sushi in Old Town La Verne is temporarily closed because of family health matters, according to a notice on its front doors shared by a La Verne Daily News follower, Erin Nosal. The notice, signed “Mikey & Mickey,” also references a February-March opening, although the wording leaves the plans unclear. La Verne Daily News reached out to Community Development Director Eric Scherer for more information. Thank you to La Verne Daily News follower Erin for the tip!

Carl’s Jr. Posts Closure Signs in La Verne

Carl’s Jr. at 1400 Foothill Blvd. in La Verne has caution tape blocking its drive-thru, covered doors and windows, and signs stating “Store is closed.” Photo by Staci Baird/La Verne Daily News

Carl’s Jr. at 1400 Foothill Blvd. in La Verne has caution tape blocking its drive-thru, covered doors and windows, and signs stating “Store is closed.” The notices provide no explanation.

The closure comes amid financial troubles for a California Carl’s Jr. franchisee. Fast Company reported May 19 that Sun Gir Incorporated, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April, sought court permission to reject leases for at least 10 underperforming restaurants. Those included locations at 140 E. Foothill Blvd. in Pomona and 573 N. Azusa Ave. in Covina. The franchisee also hired a brokerage firm to help sell 49 locations, according to the report.

The La Verne restaurant was not among the 10 locations listed in the article. La Verne Daily could not verify if this restaurant belongs to Sun Gir or is connected to its bankruptcy.