Queen Creek, AZ

Sprouts Farmers Market offers chance at $500 gift card at Queen Creek site

Staff Reports | Digital Free Press

Sprouts Farmers Market is opening its newest store Friday, Aug. 18, at 37666 N. Gantzel Road in Queen Creek.

“We are so proud to welcome another Sprouts Farmers Market to the Town of Queen Creek,” said Julia Wheatley, mayor of Queen Creek, in a prepared statement. “In addition to providing fresh, healthy, and specialty foods to our residents, Sprouts is bringing 100 jobs to our community. Queen Creek is proud to grow and attract businesses that enhance the quality of life for our residents, and we’re excited for the success of the Vineyard Towne Center development and its anchor store, Sprouts.”

Sprouts Farmers Market host celebration at Queen Creek site

From Friday, Aug. 18, through Sunday, Aug. 20, a variety of activities will celebrate the grand opening.

A “pop-up party” out front will give guests the chance to taste seasonal produce from ‘fruit school,’ play games, have their face painted, and watch artists carve large produce.

The first 200 shoppers on Friday and Saturday will receive a free ‘Goodness it’s Free’ reusable goodie bag filled with special products and samples. Also, a special ‘guess the weight’ contest of an oversized piece of produce will take place over the weekend. At noon this Sunday, dog lovers will be gifted dog treats from Bundle X Joy and kids will enjoy a reusable coloring tote activity.

In anticipation of the opening, shoppers will have the chance to win a $500 Sprouts gift card up until midnight on Aug. 18 when they sign up via the website. Additionally, customers who text “VALLEY” to 777-688 will receive 20% off their purchase over the grand opening weekend (Aug. 18-20) when they scan their app account barcode at checkout; up to two redemptions per Sprouts account per day.

Shoppers can also view Sprouts’ weekly ad and save more than $100 with digital coupons on grocery staples and new items every month on the app.

The celebrations and discounts won’t end after this grand opening weekend. Starting the following Monday, customers will receive $10 off when they spend $50 or more, with a valid coupon.

This location will be open daily from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.

The Chicago-style restaurant brand prepares to expand its footprint in the Phoenix area by heading south to Queen Creek for its seventh location after opening in nearby Gilbert earlier this year.

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Portillo’s, the fast-casual restaurant concept known for its menu of Chicago-style street food, has announced it will be opening its newest Valley restaurant in Queen Creek by the end of the year and is now hiring for all positions.

The chain opened its sixth restaurant in nearby Gilbert on March 31 and Queen Creek will be its seventh Arizona location when it opens later this year.

Known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, French fries, famous chocolate cake and shakes, the seventh Portillo’s restaurant will be located in Queen Creek at the southeast corner of Ellsworth and East Walnut roads, at 20745 E. Walnut Road, across the street from the new Costco. Designed with a Southwest garage theme, the 7,800-square-foot restaurant will feature seating for 180 guests inside as well as a seasonal outdoor patio with room for about 50 more guests. It will also feature the brand’s signature double drive-thru lanes to accommodate off-premise guests.

“Arizona has been a great market for Portillo’s,” said Portillo’s CEO Michael Osanloo. “We’ve loved serving the Phoenix area since first opening in Scottsdale in 2013. Queen Creek gives us even more opportunity to bring our unrivaled Chicago street food to both longtime fans and newcomers to Portillo’s.”

When the Queen Creek restaurant opens for business later this year, guests can expect to enjoy Portillo’s signature menu items and fans are invited to sign up for the chance to attend a free sneak peek training meal prior to the location opening by visiting portillos.com/queencreek. Loyal fans will also receive updates on Portillo’s developments and events surrounding these new restaurants.

Portillo’s has begun hiring hourly employees, managers and shift leaders for the Queen Creek restaurant.

Osanloo said Portillo’s has "beefed up our benefits" with hourly starting pay at $16 and a $3 per hour increase on five paid holidays each year, career advancement opportunities, bonuses, flexible schedules, free meals and more. For full-time employees they're offering a comprehensive benefits package, 401k with company match, paid vacation time with extra bonuses for managers. Visit portillos.com/careers for more hiring information.

Welcome to Queen Creek’s wacky wonderland of weed, where the local cannabis dispensary is more than just a shop—it’s a portal to a hazy paradise.

As you walk through the doors, prepare to be greeted by a friendly staff of “ganja guides” who are experts in the art of cannabis wizardry. The city is known for its stunning landscapes, friendly community, and progressive mindset; Queen Creek offers a unique blend of traditional charm and forward-thinking attitudes toward cannabis.

As the winds whisper through the saguaro cacti and the sunbathes the desert in golden hues, cannabis enthusiasts find solace and delight in the bountiful offerings of this vibrant town. Queen Creek invites you to embark on a journey of relaxation, inspiration, and perhaps a touch of desert magic, where the spirit of cannabis blends harmoniously with the allure of the Southwest.

Reef Dispensary

Welcome to the Reef Dispensary, a cannabis sanctuary in Queen Creek’s heart. As soon as you enter, you will experience a world where premium cannabis and exceptional service come together. You’ll discover a haven where innovation meets tradition, where the pursuit of bliss and wellness intertwines seamlessly.

Reef Dispensary is a sanctuary where your cannabis journey is elevated to new heights. So come on in, let the Reef Dispensary team be your guides, and immerse yourself in a world of elevated experiences and possibilities.

Service offered: In-store shopping, Curbside pick up.

Address: 18423 E San Tan Blvd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142, United States

Store Hours: 7:00am – 10:00pm Monday- Sunday.

Store number: +1 480-550-9121

Sticky Saguaro

When you enter Sticky Saguaro, you’ll be greeted by an open-floor shopping area with many options for your enjoyment. Their team of friendly, highly qualified Sticky Associates are trained to assist you with any questions or needs related to mmj. They strive to provide a personalized shopping experience and take pride in ensuring that every patient has an excellent experience, whether in-store, online, or on social media. They value patient feedback and actively listen to it, as it helps us improve and consistently provide top-notch service and products.

Service offered: In-store shopping, In-store pick up.

Address: 12338 E Riggs Rd, Chandler, AZ 85249, United States

Store Hours: 9:00am – 9:00pm Monday- Sunday.

Store number: +1 602-644-9188

Zen Leaf

At Zen Leaf, you can expect more than a typical cannabis dispensary. It is a place of refuge where you can find balance and wellness. The atmosphere is serene, with beautiful plants and soothing artwork that will help you relax and transform. The staff are friendly and well-informed, and they will help you navigate their selection of top-quality cannabis products to find the perfect fit for your needs. So, take a moment to breathe deeply and let Zen Leaf elevate your cannabis experience to a whole new level of relaxation and rejuvenation.

Service offered: In-store shopping, In-store pick up. Delivery.

Address: 5409 S Power Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212, United States

Store Hours: 8:00am – 9:00pm Monday- Sunday.

Store number: +1 602-960-2273

Harvest HOC Dispensary

Experience excellence in the cannabis industry at Harvest HOC Dispensary, a must-visit for all cannabis enthusiasts. Their focus on quality and consistency is reflected in their carefully cultivated selection of cannabis products, ensuring every customer finds something to suit their preferences.

Harvest HOC is dedicated to transparency and education, providing customers with all the necessary information for a responsible and enjoyable cannabis experience. With a commitment to customer satisfaction, top-notch product quality, and a welcoming atmosphere, Harvest HOC Dispensary sets the standard for exceptional cannabis shopping.

Service offered: In-store shopping, In-store pick up.

Address: 13433 E Chandler Blvd Suite A&B, Chandler, AZ 85225, United States

Store Hours: 8:00am – 10:00pm Monday-Sunday.

Store number: +1 480-439-7771

CuraLeaf

Curaleaf Cannabis sets itself apart with its unparalleled selection of premium cannabis products, making it a true haven for cannabis lovers. Curaleaf curates various strains, each carefully cultivated to deliver exceptional quality and potency. Whether you’re seeking the calming effects of an indica, the uplifting buzz of a sativa, or the balanced experience of a hybrid,

Curaleaf’s extensive selection has something to cater to every individual’s preference and needs. With their commitment to excellence, Curaleaf Cannabis delivers a premium selection that will satisfy even the most discerning cannabis connoisseur.

Service offered: In-store shopping, In-store pick up. Delivery.

Address: 175 S Hamilton Pl #110, Gilbert, AZ 85233, United States

Store Hours: 8:00am – 8:00pm Monday-Sunday.

Store number: +1 480-361-0078

The town’s Water Division says if you live in Queen Creek now, you’ll continue to get water.

Queen Creek has been a sticking point for many after Katie Hobbs paused the use of groundwater for new developments. Queen Creek tells residents not to worry.

QUEEN CREEK, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) — It was the headline of the week: Governor Katie Hobbs announces pause for new home builds that rely on groundwater. The announcement came after a new study revealed that about 4% of the groundwater demand needed for the Valley would not be met in the next 100 years if nothing is done. As required by law, Hobbs said the state is pausing new construction in the areas that rely on that groundwater.

Queen Creek is a town that’s often brought up in the discussion. How does the groundwater study impact people currently living in Queen Creek?

If you live there right now and you currently get water from the town, you’re in the clear — you will continue getting water. That’s according to the director of the Queen Creek Water Division and state officials.

Most cities in the Valley, like Phoenix and Scottsdale, have what’s called an assured water supply designation. That means leaders there can prove they have enough water to support current and future development for the next 100 years. Queen Creek is not one of them. However, Paul Gardner, the director of the Queen Creek Water Division, says about 92% of the people who live there, as well as the land, have assured water supply certificates. While the town as a whole doesn’t have the designation, those with certificates have enough water for at least the next century.

Gardner says what’s left in Queen Creek is about 4.5 square miles of planning property that needs a water source. Gardner says he actually embraces the recent announcement and groundwater study, saying the town has been working for years to bring in other water resources for that remaining 8%. “We don’t think it’s an overwhelming task,” Gardner told Arizona’s Family this week. “We have in the pipeline about 15,000 plated lots to build out that already have certificates. So it will be these last 10,000 lots that we really need to marry a renewable supply with their development needs.”

Queen Creek has been one of the fastest growing communities in Arizona, and the country, according to Gardner. He says in 2008, the town’s population was about 26,000. Town officials say it’s now around 75,000, and the water division covers even more folks in the county areas: around 125,000 customers. People move to Queen Creek because of the quality of life, the schools and the open space, Gardner says.

Among one of the projects to secure more water, the town is spending millions of dollars on 2,000 acre-feet of Colorado River water from a small farm in Cibola, which is more than 200 miles west at the Arizona-California border. Just one acre-foot of water is enough for two average homes per year, according to the state water resources department. Gardner says the purchased water will be delivered through existing Central Arizona Project canals to replace groundwater pumping.

“Our goal for the last 7 years has been to go out, find renewable supplies, and to become a designated provider,” Gardner says. “That’s a heavy lift. We’re about 35% of the way there at acquiring supplies and over the next decade we feel like we will be a designated provider and well have enough renewable supplies in our portfolio to move forward.”

The Cibola water sale took years and did not come without controversy. It included court hearings, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Arizona Department of Water Resources had to approve. La Paz County was among one of the Arizona counties that filed a lawsuit to stop the transaction. Holly Irwin is a longtime supervisor in La Paz County who lives in Cibola. She doesn’t think any water off the Colorado River should be transferred to metro areas to support their development and believes it should stay in the small community of about 350 people. Irwin also tells Arizona’s Family she also thinks it sets a bad precedent.

Officials with the town of Queen Creek say they’re expecting that water sometime this summer. Despite the opposition, officials contend this was the correct move to ensure renewable water for their community’s future.

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Queen Creek agreed to a deal that would bring water from western Arizona but critics fear it could lead to more investment firms buying land for water.

QUEEN CREEK, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - For the first time, Queen Creek is getting water from a property owner in the small town of Cibola, Arizona, in La Paz County. In some ways, experts say it’s a first-of-its-kind transaction in Arizona, and the sale did not come without controversy.

After years of court proceedings and getting approval from state and federal officials, the Queen Creek mayor, councilmembers and other city leaders met on Wednesday morning to celebrate the deal. For the first time, it was publicly used to water the grass at Desert Mountain Park.

READ MORE: Gov. Hobbs announces pause for new home builds that rely on groundwater

For Queen Creek officials, this was the right move to ensure renewable water for their community’s future. After a groundwater model was released in June, the town says it needs to find a water supply for about 10,000 lots that have yet to be built.

FULL STORY: How Queen Creek is impacted by the recent Arizona groundwater study

In some ways, experts say it’s a first-of-its-kind transaction in Arizona, and the sale did not come without controversy.

However, a number of Arizona counties, including La Paz, were part of a lawsuit to stop the transaction. Holly Irwin, who is on the Board of Supervisors and lives in Cibola, worries this will set a dangerous precedent and bigger, metropolitan cities will continue to buy water from smaller communities in the face of our ongoing drought and cuts to our state’s Colorado River water supply.

“And that was the biggest concern,” Irwin recently told Arizona’s Family. “That you’re going to start seeing more of this type of application to the state to allow for water transfers to occur off the Colorado River. And it’s already happening. What we feared is already coming true.”

Irwin sent a statement to Arizona’s Family on behalf of La Paz County and leaders in Mohave and Yuma counties. Below is a portion of that statement:

Meantime, Paul Gardner, the director of the Queen Creek Water Division, contends this was the right thing to do to diversify the town’s water supply and reduce its dependence on groundwater. He says at one point, groundwater was 90% of the town’s supply. It’s down to 50% now, and he hopes to get it to 10%.

“We feel like what this transfer is, is basically taking a water supply that was used for agricultural farming and having a better use for residential and future development,” Gardner explained. “I think that this was very timely and that this coincided this summer with the department and governor’s announcement that mining groundwater for development was over. And so this comes in the nick of time.”

Gardner says the town is working on bringing in other sources of water, including from Harquahala Valley.

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