99¢ ain't pocket change at store

Business Beat

By Marijke Rowland
mrowland@modbee.com

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Modesto is getting yet another way to help stretch your pocket change.

The city's first 99¢ Only Stores location will open next month in the site of the former Clothes Avenue along McHenry Avenue.

The Southern California- based discount chain sells everything from household items to fresh fruit for 99 cents or less.

Public Relations Manager Elsy Guardado said the discount chain is different from other dollar chains because of its large grocery selection.

"Over 50 percent of our product mix is in the food category. We carry fresh food, including vegetable, fruit, deli, milk and eggs, bread," she said. "We have a huge amount of inventory in the fruit department right now."

She said the chain, which has 271 stores in California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas, has increased its customer base in the past year because of the poor economy.

The store, at 2205 McHenry Ave., is slated to open Aug. 6.

Clothes Avenue, a Fresno-based clothing retailer, had occupied the space since 2001.

Guardado said some 45 to 55 employees will be hired to staff the Modesto store. Hiring is still under way.

Job-seekers are encouraged to visit the store and fill out an application on site. Interviews will be conducted locally.

For more information, call 866-998-9979 or go to www.99only.com.

Elsewhere around the Business Beat:

Jesse's Kitchen is back.

The former Hilmar restaurant, which was open from 2001 until owner Jesse Guzman sold it two years ago, has resurfaced in a new town.

Guzman opened the new Jesse's Kitchen in Modesto in February. He said the site, at 413 S. Riverside Drive, is larger than his first location and gives him a chance to expand his business.

"I believe the town was not big enough to spread my business out, to grow up," he said of his original location.

The new spot can seat about 80.

Guzman serves a mix of Mexican, American and Italian food and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. His menu has pasta, steak, sandwiches, seafood and more.

The restaurant's hours are 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Guzman, who was a head chef in San Jose before moving to the Central Valley in 2000, said his philosophy is good food at low prices. No dinner costs more than $10.

"Everybody comes once, the first time, and then are my customers forever," said Guzman. "That's how good it is."

For more information, call 523-1200.

Have an item for Business Beat? Contact Marijke Rowland at The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352; 578-2284 or mrowland@modbee.com.