In 2009, Simi’s business landscape witnessed several changes, including new arrivals and sad good-byes.

As a result of the economic downturn, a number of Simi businesses closed due to the bankruptcy of the parent company. Such was the case for Anchor Blue and Applebee’s.

Independent local establishments also closed this past fall. Paul’s Italian Villa, a community fixture for more than 40 years, shut its doors on Cochran Street. Brian Gabler, assistant city manager and director of economic development, said restaurants are often the hardest hit during a recession because people will curtail eating out early on.

“Families and households are cutting back on their discretionary spending and restaurants are chief in that category,” he said.

Prior to closing, the restaurant had tried for about eight months to lease out its banquet space, but without success.

Gabler added that the 2008 passing of the original owner, Paul Molé, coupled with the slowdown in the economy was probably too much for the restaurant to bear.

Another hometown restaurant that we might have seen the last of is The Stray Steer on Valley Fair, just off Tapo Street. Although the doors are currently shut, the steak house’s website says the restaurant is only temporarily closed for “restructuring and some remodeling” and that residents should watch for the grand reopening “soon.”

On the other hand, a new steak house called Larsen’s Grill opened at the Simi Valley Town Center in December, taking over the space formerly occupied by Dakota’s. The grill’s owner, Flemming Larsen, was the co-owner of Dakota’s.

Also new to Simi is PETCO’s new concept, Unleashed, which opened near Regal Cinemas on Tapo Canyon Road. The Simi store marks the launching of the second Unleashed; the first is in San Diego, where PETCO is based.

Finally, the Edwards theater on Los Angeles Avenue has changed hands. Temecula-based movie theater operator Tristone Cinema Group will now run the show, but the operation as a discount theater will continue.

—Carissa Marsh