Word on the Street: Boutique opens at Fig Garden

Chris Juskalian always had a knack for business. As a Bullard High School teenager, he had his own balloon bouquet business, delivering hundreds of balloons to homes and events throughout Fresno, Clovis and Madera.

Later on, his skill at selling upscale watches, jewelry and purses at home parties blossomed into a boutique in Newport Beach, called Couture New York. And he hadn’t even graduated from college.

Now, Juskalian, 39, continues his entrepreneurial streak with the opening of his second Couture New York store in Fig Garden Village at Palm and Shaw avenues.

The boutique specializes in designer-inspired items including handbags, earrings, watches and gift items that include styluses, reading glasses and business card holders.

Juskalian’s mother Dorothy, who helps manage the store, said the shop offers everything from glitzy evening bags to simple, but stylish, gifts like a crystal-covered tape dispenser.

“Our philosophy on retail is to offer good service, a good product and at a good price,” Juskalian said. “Whatever price point you are after, we can find something for you.”

Couture New York is next to Cold Stone Creamery in the northwest Fresno shopping center and on Facebook under Couture New York.

Newest noodles

A new entry into Fresno’s growing Vietnamese food scene has opened its doors in Fig Garden Village.

Wayside Noodles, a restaurant featuring pho, banh mi sandwiches, rice plates, rolls and appetizers, is tucked into the northeast corner of the shopping center at 760 W. Shaw Ave., Suite 103.

The 1,870-square-foot space, which includes a patio dining area, was previously occupied by WineStyles, a wine shop and tasting room franchise that opened in 2006 and closed in 2008. It’s the second Fresno location for the chain that originated in Sacramento; the other site is at 6737 N. Milburn Ave., just off Herndon Avenue, in northwest Fresno.

The chain (www.waysidenoodles.com) takes its name from the roadside, or wayside, food stands that are popular in Vietnam.

More grocery growth

The neighborhood grocery market trend is coming to Clovis.

Walmart is planning to open one of two Fresno County neighborhood markets in the Mountain View Centre, 1830 Shaw Ave.

The other will be on the southwest corner of Herndon and Willow avenues in Fresno.

The markets are designed for convenient shopping and are similar to Fresh & Easy and Dollar General Markets. They will carry produce, meat and dairy products, frozen foods, dry goods, health and beauty products, stationery, and will include a pharmacy, deli and bakery.

The retailer opened its first market in 1998 and now has more than 200 nationwide.

Both stores are expected to open in 2013.