As warmer days arrive in the Yakima Valley, it's clear the freeze on retail and restaurant activity is coming to a close. The Reporter's Notebook is out there finding the latest trends and happenings throughout the Valley.

WinCo rumor dates back years

The big retail news of last week was the recent purchase of more than nine acres in Union Gap by WinCo Foods, a Boise, Idaho-based grocery store chain.

That news shouldn't have surprised too many, because WinCo Foods revealed itself early in the land use applications for Union Gap Promenade, a shopping center proposed for the area of Longfibre Road and Market Street.

It's clear WinCo has been looking at the Yakima Valley for several years. As early as 2002, it was planning a store at the former Country Drive-In Theatre property on Nob Hill Boulevard. And in 2008, there were plenty of rumors it was the prime candidate for the an earlier Union Gap Promenade site.

Along with J.C. Penney and Kohl's, WinCo Foods ranked high on local shoppers' most-desired list. Since WinCo's failed attempt to open a store in Yakima several years ago, some dedicated local shoppers have made the 90-minute drive to its store in the Tri-Cities.

Breakfast joint goes for seconds

Looks like the West Valley area will get a new breakfast spot in the next few weeks.

Waffles Caffe will open a second location around March 15 at the Meadowbrook Mall at 72nd Avenue and Nob Hill Boulevard.

Regulars at its current location, 1510 N. First St., have been asking owners to consider opening a place farther west.

"There's a lot more developments going out west, which is encouraging," said co-owner Randi Parke. "There's really not a lot of food establishments out there. The spot opened at the Meadowbrook Mall and the rents are reasonable and allowed us to go out there."

Both locations will have the same breakfast and lunch menus. Parke said the new cafe is expected to hire five to 10 workers. Both restaurants will maintain the same hours, 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.

Still no franchisee for Papa John's in Yakima

I checked in with Papa John's spokeswoman Tish Muldoon about whether a new franchisee has been found to reopen the Papa John's on Summitview Avenue in Yakima.

In late January, North Country Pizza, the former franchisee based in Colbert, Wash., suddenly closed the Yakima store and 11 other locations.

Muldoon said there are no updates, but the pizza chain is "still working toward new franchise agreement(s)."

I'll keep you updated.

Love trivia?

Judging from the hoards of people crowding Bert's Pub on Wednesday nights, I know that some of you love trivia.

Here's a chance to show off your local retail and restaurant retail trivia -- I've started a new feature on the Shop Talk Facebook page called "Question of Day." Every weekday, I'll be posting a question on the local or national retail or restaurant industry.

Credit goes to On magazine writer Pat Muir for the idea. His daily movie quote questions on the On magazine Facebook page always get people thinking.

I hope to do the same.

To access the daily trivia page, log on to the Shop Talk Facebook page (www.facebook.com/pages/YHR-Shop-Talk/54463033365). You can also get updates on the Valley's retail and restaurant industry on the Shop Talk blog (www.yakimaherald.com/shoptalk) or on Twitter (http://twitter.com/shoptalkexpress).

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.