HOT TOPIC: VERRADO MARKETPLACE

SUBSCRIBE | FOLLOW | PARTNER

IT’S GETTIN’ HOT IN HERE

As the vision for Verrado Marketplace is now becoming more visible by the day, the buzz around town is building. I’ve luckily just been added to the list to receive updates directly from the development team at Vestar as new details are released. And of course, I can’t wait to share everything with you! (Thank you, Carli!)

The 500,000-square-foot project, located at Verrado Way and I-10, will bring new shopping, dining, and service options to our once sleepy little neck of the desert. According to the latest announcement, the center is expected to include a mix of national retailers and local businesses as it moves toward its grand opening. More on that below.

I can sense how excited the community is about Verrado Marketplace based on these recent reels that are burning up our Instagram page. I’m having a ball reading all the comments and loving that so many people are discovering The Buzz because of these:

• Signage Installed

• I Should Probably Keep This a Secret

• Your Movie Theater Got its Walls

BEEP, BEEP

If you’ve spent time at some of the larger retail centers around the West Valley, you already know that parking and traffic flow can make or break the experience. From my initial observations, it looks like the Verrado Marketplace parking lot may be easier to navigate than some others in the area.

The layout appears to follow a more traditional grid design with straight lanes (and a roundabout), which typically helps traffic move more smoothly. That’s different from the layout at places like Prasada in Surprise or the Costco shopping center across the freeway, where navigating the parking lots can sometimes feel a little… thrilling!

As I’m sure you’ve found too, traffic is the first concern people bring up whenever Verrado Marketplace (and all the new development around here) comes up in conversation. So far, it appears the developers may have taken that into consideration when designing the site. As construction continues and the center opens, we’ll all get a better sense of how it functions in real life.

LAY OF THE LAND

Before we get into it, you may want to check out this interactive map for store locations. [The map is halfway down the page in the “Site Plan” section. If you hover over a building, it will tell you what’s going in that spot; not all places are leased yet.]

COMING ATTRACTIONS

🎬 Harkins BackLot Entertainment District

One of the most talked-about parts of the project is the Harkins BackLot, an entertainment-focused venue with restaurants, gathering spaces, and outdoor areas designed for dining and entertainment.

Think of it as a movie theater (with 8 screens) on steroids! Within 75,000 square feet of space, the BackLot will offer movies + bowling, electronic darts, a video game arcade, virtual reality (VR) experiences, and a sports bar with jumbo screens, all under one roof. And of course, let’s not forget the food! Peek at their menu.

The BackLot is designed to function as an entertainment hub where visitors can watch a movie, grab dinner, and spend time outdoors all in one place.

As for me, I’m dreaming of spending every week catching flicks in a cool, dark theater!

😋 Feed Me!

While the entertainment is exciting, the real question everyone keeps asking is: What restaurants are coming? From the chatter online, it’s clear people are very ready for more dining options. Hold onto your hats — and my coffee — because wow… check out all these options:

BJ’s Restaurant: Known for its craft beers, pasta, deep-dish pizzas (they have gluten free crust and a “gluten sensitive” menu!), burgers, salads and the famous Pizookie! Sign up for their rewards program and get a free one! (Fun fact: Mr. Buzz, in his former life in construction, built many of these when they expanded in Southern California.) Have desert for dinner!

Chili’s Grill & Bar: Southwest-inspired dishes including fajitas, BBQ classics, homemade margaritas, and daily happy hour. (Fun fact: When Mr. Buzz & I started dating, we spent every Friday night at Chili’s on Beach Boulevard in Huntington Beach.) It’s sizzling.

Einstein Bros Bagels: A breakfast and lunch staple serving fresh-baked gourmet bagels, breakfast sandwiches, shmears, coffee, and pastries. I’ll take the Hot Honey Egg Sandwich.

Handel’s Ice Cream: A beloved ice cream shop famous for its rich, homemade flavors made fresh daily with rotating seasonal favorites. Peek at their treats.

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill: A fast-casual restaurant bringing Hawaiian-style plate lunches and island flavors to the mainland, including grilled meats, rice, and macaroni salad. Fresh Island Aloha.

Nekter Juice Bar: A health-focused spot offering cold-pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls, and plant-based snacks. Grab a bite!

OHSO Brewery: A locally owned brewery, distillery, and eatery with multiple valley locations (this will be it’s 8th one). It’s set to occupy roughly 5,300-square feet of space. The location will feature an open-concept design with both indoor and outdoor seating and will participate in the center’s innovative Sip & Stroll program, which allows guests aged 21 and over to enjoy alcoholic beverages while exploring designated areas of the property. Check out what’s brewing (menu from the Surprise location).

Paris Baguette: A popular bakery (founded in South Korea) offering coffee and teas, delicious cakes, pastries, sandwiches and salads. “Joy Baked in Every Bite.”

Salt Tacos + Tequila: A lively Mexican restaurant serving street tacos, margaritas, tequila flights, and modern takes on traditional favorites. Start off with a flight of Guac!

See’s Candies: A beloved candy shop known for its handcrafted chocolates, caramels, truffles, and classic boxed sweets.

Shake Shack: The cult-favorite burger spot known for juicy Angus burgers, crinkle-cut fries, chicken sandwiches, and hand-spun shakes. Make it a lettuce wrap.

Sourdough & Co.: A fast-casual sandwich shop specializing in fresh sourdough bread, deli sandwiches, soups, and salads. Naturally better as they say!

Thai Chili 2go: A restaurant serving classic Thai dishes like pad thai, curries, stir-fries, and other flavorful Southeast Asian favorites. Flavorful finds.

Tropical Smoothie Café: A smoothie and café chain offering fruit smoothies, wraps, bowls, boba, sandwiches, and lighter lunch options. Bring on the brain freeze!

🛍️ Shop, Shop ‘Til Ya Drop

Once you’re properly fueled, you can get some steps in and shop your way through:

Bath & Body Works: A go-to spot for scented candles, soaps, lotions, and home fragrances in a wide variety of seasonal scents.

Buckle: A fashion retailer known for denim, casual clothing, footwear, and accessories from popular brands.

Gap Factory: A value-focused version of Gap offering classic American basics like denim, tees, and everyday apparel. (I shop at Gap Factory online often, so I’m really excited about this!)

Famous Footwear: A family-friendly shoe store featuring athletic, casual, and dress footwear from popular brands.

HomeGoods: A treasure-hunt style home décor store filled with furniture, kitchenware, décor, and seasonal finds. This is my favorites place to buy baskets, dishes and lamps!

Marshalls: An off-price retailer offering brand-name clothing, shoes, and home goods at discounted prices.

Ross: A bargain shopper’s favorite with discounted brand-name clothing, home décor, and accessories.

Target: A one-stop retail store for groceries, household goods, clothing, electronics, and of course, a Starbies to power the trip.

Ulta Beauty: A beauty superstore carrying cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and salon services from drugstore to prestige brands.

✅ Everyday Essentials

While you’re there, tackle your to-do list:

America’s Best Contacts & Glasses: An eyewear retailer offering eye exams, contact lenses, and affordable glasses. Their site advertises 2 pairs of glasses for $95 (including free exam).

Chase Bank: A full-service bank offering personal and business banking, loans, and financial services. New checking customers get $400 (read the requirements).

CityVet: A veterinary clinic providing comprehensive care for pets, including wellness exams, surgery, and grooming.

Elite Shutters & Blinds: A home design store specializing in custom window coverings, shutters, and blinds.

Great Clips: A walk-in hair salon offering quick, affordable haircuts for the whole family.

Mountain America Credit Union: A member-owned credit union offering banking services, loans, and financial tools for individuals and businesses. Car loans as low as 4.99%!

NextCare Urgent Care: A walk-in medical clinic providing treatment for illnesses, injuries, and other non-emergency needs. No appointments required! (We really needed this in our area.)

Pacific Dental: A dental practice providing preventative care, cleanings, whitening, and a full range of oral health services.

Paramount Hair & Extensions: A salon specializing in luxury hair extensions using 100% real hair, color services, hair treatments and styling. $99 for unlimited monthly blowouts!

Safeway: A full-service grocery store offering fresh produce, meats, bakery items, and everyday household essentials. Isn’t it going to be great to have more grocery options! Go ahead and create your account now so you can be ready to save when the doors open!

Zara Nails: A nail salon offering manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements in a relaxing spa setting. (The Verrado location doesn’t yet have a website, so I linked Vistancia.)

WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

Beyond shopping and dining, Verrado Marketplace will feature a variety of community-focused amenities, including a splash pad, outdoor fireplaces, a live performance stage, and a spacious central lawn. 

SAVE THE DATE

From the information I received yesterday from Vestar, tenant openings will begin in May 2026!

As more announcements are made, I’ll continue to share updates here in The Buzz. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it! Also, follow us on Instagram for “breaking news” too.

✌️❤️ 🐝 ~ V.

💌 Get articles like this + so much more delivered for FREE, straight to your inbox every Thursday at 4 PM!

©️ 2026 The Buckeye Buzz | All content and information set forth above was curated, cultivated & created by Vanessa Kinsey for The Buckeye Buzz and is the intellectual property of this publication. It is protected under US copyright law, including but not limited to “The Digital Millennium Copyright Act.” Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or duplication of any material, in whole or in part, without express written authorization & consent, is strictly prohibited by law and may result in legal action. Violators will be subject to prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.