Former Kneaders to Be Transformed into Angie’s First Sit-Down Restaurant

TUCSON, AZ (May 7, 2025) — Scottsdale-based Plato Holdings has acquired the former Kneaders Bakery & Café at 135 S. Wilmot Road in Tucson for $2,300,000 ($508.84 PSF), which equates to $508.85 per square foot. The 4,520-square-foot freestanding building will be repurposed as Angie’s Prime Grill, a growing fast-casual concept known for serving USDA Prime steaks, burgers, and grilled chicken.

The new location will mark the fourth and largest Angie’s-branded restaurant in Tucson, and notably, the first full-service, sit-down restaurant in the company’s portfolio. It is located directly across the street from an existing Angie’s Lobster. Other current Tucson locations include 2574 N. Campbell Avenue (Angie’s Prime Grill) and 110 S Wilmot (Angie’s Lobster), which operate as drive-thru only formats.

Meanwhile, Angie’s Prime Grill recently opened its newest Tucson location in a newly constructed 800-square-foot double-drive-thru building at 3805 E Broadway Blvd, at Camino del Norte, just west of Alvernon Way. The brand’s mission of delivering “affordable luxury” is showcased in a menu that includes prime steak, organic grilled chicken, and fresh-cut salads, served as bowls, burritos, or wraps—all grilled to order.

Angie’s Prime Grill and Angie’s Lobster are owned by Angie’s Food Concepts, founded in 2021 by Tony and Roushan Christofellis, the creators of the Salad and Go chain. After selling that brand and its 40 locations, the Christofellises launched the new concepts to focus on high-quality, value-driven food served quickly and affordably. Learn more at angiesprimegrill.com and angieslobster.com.

In the Wilmot property sale, the seller, Roebbelen Investors I of Powell, Ohio, was represented by Bill Clarkson, CCIM, of Realty Executives in Scottsdale. The buyer, Ray Plato, who leads Plato Holdings, is also a licensed real estate broker with Scottsdale-based Visa Realty.

The acquisition signals the continued expansion of the Angie’s brand in Southern Arizona. It underscores the growing investor demand for properties along Tucson’s high-traffic Wilmot corridor, a rapidly evolving retail and dining destination.

Reference: RED Comp #11856.

Tucson Investment Group Buys Auto Corridor Property for $1.05M

TUCSON, ARIZONA (May 6, 2025) – Coral Sea, LLC, a Tucson-based investment entity, has acquired a three-parcel commercial property located at 3101, 3125, and 3141 E Ajo Way in Tucson for $1,050,000. The transaction closed on April 28, 2025, with the seller listed as Paul D. Colucci et al, based in Carlsbad, California.

At the time of sale, the site was occupied by Affordable Autos of Tucson, a well-known used vehicle dealership serving the Tucson community, which is vacating it.

Located just east of the Kino Parkway and close to major arterial routes, the property spans multiple contiguous parcels and is zoned for commercial use, making it well-suited for automotive, retail, or redevelopment opportunities.

Paul Hooker, SIOR, of Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR represented the buyer, and Jeramy Price of VOLK Company represented the seller in the transaction. For more information, Hooker can be reached at (520) 546-2744 and Price is at (520) 326-3200.

The acquisition by Coral Sea, LLC reflects continued investor interest in Tucson’s centrally located commercial corridors with long-term occupancy and expansion potential.

Reference: RED Comp #11884.

Trust for Public Land Acquires 47 Acres of Land for Addition to Saguaro National Park

TUCSON, Ariz. (May 6, 2025) – Trust for Public Land (TPL) announced the protection of two properties totaling 47 acres in the foothills of the Tucson Mountains as an addition to Saguaro National Park. This marks the fourth and fifth additions to the park completed by TPL in the past decade, with TPL helping to protect over 2,300 acres in and around Saguaro National Park since 1993.

“This critical addition to Saguaro National Park enhances trail and habitat connectivity in one of America’s most visited parks and expands access to the stunning Southwestern landscape for all outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy,” said Carrie Besnette Hauser, President and CEO of Trust for Public Land. “Saguaro is a truly unique getaway—not only a vast desert backyard for Tucsonans and Southern Arizonans, but also a destination for visitors from across the country and around the world who come to experience the natural wonders of the American Southwest. This expansion supports outdoor recreation, boosts the region’s outdoor economy, and advances TPL’s mission to connect everyone to the outdoors while protecting national treasures, like Saguaro National Park, for future generations.”

The newly protected lands will become part of the western unit of Saguaro National Park, boosting the park’s total acreage to over 92,000 acres. Visitors will now have increased opportunities to explore and savor the breathtaking beauty of the Sonoran Desert while also safeguarding the habitat of the iconic Saguaro Cactus.

“Over the last three decades, TPL has protected over 2,300 acres in and around the park, improving access and connectivity to Tucson’s big backyard while protecting critical habitat. TPL is thankful to local leaders, Pima County officials and especially the National Park Service for their continued partnership in bolstering this incredibly special place that represents some of the best the American Southwest has to enjoy,” said Jim Petterson, Trust for Public Land Mountain West Region VP.

This acquisition shields threatened Sonoran Desert habitat and strengthens the connection between Saguaro NP and Pima County’s 880-acre Sweetwater Preserve. Sweetwater Preserve, a cherished park for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, boasts 13 miles of interconnecting sustainable trails and was safeguarded in 2004 through a partnership among TPL, Pima County, and the Tucson Mountains Association.

“I’m beyond pleased to see Saguaro National Park West growing with this new addition of beautiful natural land. Being good stewards of our public lands is one of the core principles of Pima County, as laid out in the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan, and it’s an honor to see our conservation partner, Trust for Public Land, continue and expand that stewardship within our community,” said Pima County Supervisor Jennifer Allen.

Located adjacent to the Tucson metroplex, Saguaro National Park draws over a million visitors annually who come to revel in its remarkable landscape and marvel at the iconic saguaro cacti – symbols of the desert Southwest – which can reach heights of 60 feet and live for over two centuries.

The park shelters a diverse array of plants and animals, including desert tortoises, mountain lions, and various bird species. Providing more than 190 miles of trails, it is a favored outdoor destination for residents and tourists alike. This newly preserved acreage expands wildlife and recreation corridors linking the rugged mountains to the west with rolling hills and expansive washes leading to the nearby Santa Cruz River.

The land was purchased with the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a federal source of funding which does not come from taxes but instead is a portion of the federal government’s share of offshore oil and natural gas revenues that are reinvested back into protecting our country’s natural resources. TPL received financial assistance to help with its project costs on these projects from Pima County and the Southern Arizona Hiking Club.

Since 1972, TPL has expanded the National Park System by nearly 65,000 acres through more than 220 land conservation projects across nearly 70 park sites, reflecting five decades of commitment to protecting America’s national treasures.