Fontana over the last few years has gradually been given a "face-lift." New, aesthetically pleasing buildings have cropped up all over the city. From the Sierra Lakes shopping center and the Fontana Auto Center which will soon add Shaver Kia in the north, to the new Lewis Library and Technology Center, renovated Center Stage, and Façade Program in the civic center campus, to the south where the Empire Center and new Home Depot, everywhere change has been in the works.

One question has remained for the residents of Fontana. What about restaurants? Sit-down eateries such as Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar and Chili's Bar and Grill already have a strong customer base, but citizens have been asking for more. Many will be pleased to know that several are on the way and are already under construction along with new businesses and hotels.

Mimi's Café where the muffins are enormous and the prices are affordable is now under construction in North Fontana at the Shops at Sierra located on Sierra Lakes Parkway (Casmalia) and Sierra Avenue. Additional eateries include Boston's Gourmet Pizza and some quick-serve restaurant facilities. Businesses that will be added to the Shops at Sierra include a medical office, Big 5 Sporting Goods , and dental offices. The development is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008.

In Sierra Square, located in south Fontana, a new Chili's Bar and Grill is under construction at the Southwest corner of Sierra Avenue and Solver Avenue. Sierra Square will feature quick-service restaurant facilities, a Holiday Inn Select, a Chevron Gas Station/Carwash, and a national chain bank tenant. The development is scheduled to be open in fall, 2009.

The developer for the Hilton Garden Inn, also located in south Fontana on the Southeast corner of Sierra Avenue and Slover Avenue, has met with the Elephant Bar, BJ's Brewery, and Red Robin. All have expressed some level of interest in the site.

The city of Fontana is looking forward to the new businesses coming to the area. The opportunity to provide jobs, sales tax revenues, and quality dining and shopping help to make this a very exciting and rewarding time for everyone.

For more information about economic development in Fontana, please contact the Economic Development Office at (909) 350-6653 or visit online at www.fontanabusiness.org.