Longs center businesses trickle in

After about nine months of construction, four local businesses are set to move into the Longs Drug shopping center on Highway 50 East and Airport Road.

"We're probably a couple of weeks from opening," Pizza Factory owner Matt Ingram said Tuesday. "We've had a few delays, but nothing major."

Ingram owns the Pizza Factory in the Gardnerville Ranchos and will manage the Carson City restaurant. He expects to open in mid-month. He'll begin hiring 18 to 25 employees in the next two weeks.

Pizza Factory is sharing the 3120 Highway 50 E. No. 1 building with Northern Nevada Bank. The bank has operated out of a temporary branch across the street from the new 4,600-square-foot building since June 2004.

"We're closing the temporary branch on May 6 at noon," said marketing and public relations officer David Taylor. "And opening normal business on May 9 in the new branch."

The branch's hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday. It employs three full-time and one part-time employee. Northern Nevada Bank's main office is in Reno. It has plans to add another in the Reno-Sparks area.

"We're going to have a grand opening reception on May 25 at 1 p.m. with the (Carson City Area) chamber of commerce," Taylor said.

The bank is leasing the space from the Hone Co., which developed 13,681 square feet of retail space in two buildings.

Project Principal Vicki Hone said two other business are set to move into the second building: Carousel Kids children's store and El Aguila Real Mexican restaurant. They will occupy the 10,976-square-foot building at 3220 Highway 50 E.

The restaurant should open this month. The owners of Carousel Kids could not be reached for comment.

"We're really excited about these businesses," Hone said. "They're a complement to the center. Residents and the folks traveling Highway 50 East will be happy about the mixed use we have there."

n Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.