Biz Beat: Turlock chef gets her own kitchen

TURLOCK -- Angela Cotta has been looking for a kitchen for a couple of years.

Cotta, who grew up in the Turlock area and recently returned, has been catering and running a website to sell family almond products. To do her catering work, she has been going into people's homes.

"This building came up and we thought it was a great opportunity to cater out of and maybe make a little specialty food shop," Cotta said. The former Mexican eatery on East Main Street also will get use as its intended purpose. "Now we decided to open for lunch."

Cotta's Kitchen is open Tuesday though Friday for lunch, and from 2 to 6 p.m. for families to pick up boxed meals to eat at home — or at soccer practice, or piano lessons, or wherever.

She does not have a set menu, and each week sends an email to her customers with that week's plans, "so you can plan your week around your taste buds," Cotta said. Recent specials included risotto with pancetta and short ribs with polenta. There also are sandwiches, salads and soups. And she sells frozen and deli meals such as lasagna and mushroom turnovers.

So far, business has been good, but the restaurant industry can be rough, and others in the same location have failed to make a long-term go of it.

"People are going to want to try us out," Cotta said with a laugh. "Talk to me in May or June."

Cotta's Kitchen is at 833 E. Main St., Turlock. Call (209) 664-2004 or go to www.cottaskitchen.com.

Elsewhere around the Business Beat:

Modesto is getting a new Planet Fitness location. The 24-hour gym, which offers $10-per-month fees and 24-hour operation, will open March 16 in what was a furniture store. It's at 2045 W. Briggsmore Ave., at Sisk Road.

Planet Fitness opened a store in Century Center in 2011. The gym keeps down costs by concentrating on fitness equipment, forgoing some traditional gym amenities such as child care and juice bars. Call (209) 341-2500 or go to www.planetfitness.com.

Two women have transformed a former consignment store in Sonora into a bridal salon. Sandi Romena and Julia Jones co-own Sierra Bridal, which opened Saturday at 14737 Mono Way.

The store will offer new wedding gowns, bridesmaids dresses, formals and custom gowns, as well as tuxedo rentals and "pre-loved" wedding gowns and dresses. It also will sell jewelry and accessories from local crafters.

Store hours are weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (209) 532-2000.

Have an item for Business Beat? Contact Patty Guerra at (209) 578-2343 or pguerra@modbee.com.