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BUSINESS
THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | MAY 15, 2022
Hotel remodel brings a bit of Hawaii to Arizona Avenue BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer
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he Aloha boutique motel on Arizona Avenue in Chandler transformed many times on its way to a grand reopening with a Hawaiian motif last weekend. When owners Bill Simmonds and John Hylton first looked at the aging motel that first opened in 1950, they were thinking of converting it into apartments. “We kind of had planned to do more like, long-term, apartment living,” Simmonds said. “That was the original plan.” “We bought it in late ’19, and it appeared it would go toward apartments, because that’s what Bill and I do,” Hylton said. The pandemic changed those plans. “We thought the Airbnb might be our move,” Simmonds said.
Owners John Hylton and Bill Simmonds transformed the Aloha Motel, a 1950’s boutique motel on Arizona Avenue in Chandler, after a number of revisions in their plans. (David Minton/Arizonan Staff Photographer)
The Aloha is now a 26-room boutique motel that has been upgraded to modern standards. Each room has its own kitchen area and modern design in keeping with the Aloha theme. Simmonds and Hylton said since they began reopening it, they sell out most nights. On May 7, they fully reopened the final wing of rooms and staged an event that brought out Mayor Kevin Hartke and the Chandler Chamber of Commerce. Politics played a role in the decision to switch from apartments to a motel, something the two pilots had never done before. Simmonds said the government issued a moratorium on evictions during the early days of the pandemic. He said
see ALOHA page 35
Chandler teen’s cookies a hit at local farmers markets
BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA Arizonan Contributor
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ustomers strolling Saturday’s downtown Chandler farmers market, or Sunday morning’s farmers market in Ahwatukee have found a sweet spot at the Madisyn “Maddie” Newell’s bakery booth. The Chandler High School sophomore has been a cookie vendor at the Chandler market for two years and branched out to Ahwatukee’s farmers market six months ago, where she has been a welcomed addition. Her first cookie baking experience was working next to her paternal grandfather, who remains an avid baker of cookies. “Baking cookies has kinda been my whole life,” the vivacious Madisyn said, taking advantage of a lull at Sunday’s Ahwatukee Farmers Market. “I first baked when I was 4 or 5.” She said her maternal grandmother, now deceased, was another baking mentor.
“We baked together. My grandparents on both sides were really into baking, and I loved helping them even when I was really young.” Little did anyone suspect that the youngster, who turned 16 April 7, would parlay the knowledge gleaned from those hours in her grandparents’ kitchens into her own business – and one that has garnered fans at both weekend markets, where small samples of her various offerings are offered to those walking by. At 16, Madisyn Newell has become a popular vendor at two farmers The young entremarkets with her homemade cookies. (Special to the Arizonan)
preneur handles a busy schedule with baking and studying for finals. Sporting her No. 15 jersey, Madisyn is also a point guard with Chandler High’s junior varsity girls basketball team and plays this summer with its club team. “I love playing basketball; I started playing when I was in seventh grade at Willis Junior High,” she said. Unfortunately for cookie monsters of all ages, Madisyn is shuttering both stands after June 4 so she can attend summer school, play club basketball and avoid the heat. “I definitely will return this fall,” she said. “I just have things I want to do this summer and there’s just not enough time.” “I will be helping out at a local brick and mortar, too.” An air conditioned one, she added, smiling. She said baking cookies is a passion she inherited from her paternal grandfather. “My grandfather on my father’s side,
see COOKIES page 35
