It's been one of those weeks.

There's no doubt in my mind that retailers are working hard to get customers to shop this holiday season. I've found that reporting about shopping is actually more tiring that shopping itself.

There's also been plenty of nonholiday activity that's kept me going, as you will find out in this week's Reporter's Notebook.

Bob's Burgers and Brew is still busy

I managed to catch owner Jeff Roberts on the phone last week, but for only a few minutes.

The fact that Roberts hasn't had a chance to take a breather and chat more in-depth about the restaurant's opening is a pretty good sign. The restaurant has continued to be standing room only in its second week.

Roberts did manage to tell me that the restaurant at 121 N. Fair Ave. is already receiving repeat customers.

"We have people coming two to three times a week," Roberts said.

What about you, Shop Talk readers? Have you had a chance to check out the new restaurant? If so, tell me about it.

Fish and chips shop opens in Yakima

With so many restaurants opening in the Valley this year, some of them open with little fanfare.

Well, one reader couldn't keep the silence for long about a restaurant that opened this month on Yakima Avenue. Al Garnet let me know about Ahoy Fish and Chips, which recently opened at 913 W. Yakima Ave.:

"(The restaurant) has wonderful fish and burgers along with an assortment of other items that Yakima has been lacking for awhile ... (Its) batter is crispy and crunchy and the cod is the real deal!"

I managed to reach co-owner Peter Jun. Jun, 50, moved to Yakima a year ago from San Francisco, where he ran another fish and chips shop and a hamburger shop.

He decided to offer both items with his new business in Yakima. So far Jun's happy with the results.

"People like our homemade style," Jun said, noting that the fish is hand-battered in the traditional English style and that he's touched up the Ivar's clam chowder with his own ingredients.

The restaurant's hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. It is closed on Sunday.

Coffee shop at the Valley Mall closes

Columbia Steppe Northwest Coffeehouse closed for good last week after six years in business.

The coffeehouse opened in the Union Gap shopping center in November 2003. The shop, located next to Orange Julius, sold coffee, food items and beer and wine.

Owner Vicki Writer told me last week that the lease was up for the shop and she decided to move on. They have no plans to relocate elsewhere.

Meanwhile, the mall is looking for a similar use for the space, Valley Mall manager Allie Stewart said.

Any guesses on what might end up there? I'll keep a watch out.

Black Friday follow up

Thanks to everyone who shared their shopping stories and strategies for Thanksgiving weekend. I had a great time listening to everyone's stories.

But we're just starting here at Shop Talk. There's still more than three weeks until Christmas, so come back here and visit the Shop Talk blog (www.yakimaherald.com/shoptalk) to see what else is happening in the local retail world.

Until next time, happy shopping.

* Mai Hoang's Reporter's Notebook is published Mondays in the Your Money section. To reach her, call 509-577-7685 or e-mail mhoang@yakimaherald.com.