Menifee Lakes Plaza to include Cafe Rio, Jamba Juice

City of Menifee officials are beginning to receive more commitments for the Menifee Lakes Plaza, the commercial center planned for the northwest corner of Newport Road and Antelope Road, adjacent to Interstate 215.

The large building under construction is an LA Fitness gym, which has long been the first business to commit to the project. Plans already approved by the Planning Commission have allowed for a hotel, but none has been secured for that site yet.

An agreement with SH-Menifee, LLC will bring a hotel, most likely a Fairfield Inn & Suites, to the Menifee Town Center farther west on Newport Road. Some have confused that with this project, which city officials hope will still include a hotel in the future.

Meanwhile, the City of Menifee officials on Thursday announced two more commitments to the plaza -- Cafe Rio and Jamba Juice.

Cafe Rio is a Mexican grill with over 85 locations nationwide. This will be its first location in Riverside County. According to a news release, Cafe Rio features farm-to-table ingredients used to make fresh food with handmade tortillas and salsas.

Jamba Juice specializes in juices, smoothies and bowls. It has over 800 locations serving healthy ingredients to promote a healthy lifestyle.

"The City has been listeing to our residents who want new dining and shopping options closer to home," Mayor Neil Winter said. "We have been working hard to attract national-brand retailers to close the $400 million sales tax leakage gap in our city."

Menifee Lakes Plaza will also include a 12-pump Chevron gas station with 3,400-square-foot convenience store, car wash and lube center. The center is expected to open this spring.