JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers RETAIL SPACE AVAILABLE- The Paraiso Town Center, the new shopping and dining center in the Dos Vientos area of Newbury Park, still has vacancies.

Dos Vientos residents are waiting for more businesses to fill their new community shopping center.

The 50,000-square-foot Paraiso Town Center at 350 Via Las Brisas, which opened in March, remains only 26 percent occupied after the addition of the Treat Sweets candy store earlier this week.

"The economy has been challenging for merchants, and we've been selective about who we allow," said Arlen Miller, part owner of Miller Family Companies, the shopping center's developer.

The developer isn't looking simply to fill up what Miller described as the crown jewel of the Dos Vientos community master plan. The shopping center is meant to complement an area already known for having multiple hiking trails, ball fields, 50 acres of parks and a kindergartenthrough-eighth-grade school, Miller said.

Paraiso Town Center

René Carión, Aldea Homeowners Association board member, said that some disgruntled residents are pointing fingers and saying the builder was late in completing the shopping center, but he said the slow pace of openings is due to the state of the economy in the last 12 to 18 months.

"The handful of stores and the lack of success are obviously a sign of the times we're going through now," said Carión, who pointed out that the new center is well-built and displays a nice architectural theme.

The situation is improving. Crave Fruit Bar, ETF Portfolio Management, Fitness Together, Marble Slab Creamery, Treat Sweets, a cleaners, a deli, a dentist, a beauty apothecary and a nail spa are now open. Mama Rita's Mexican restaurant will open in August, bringing occupanacy up to 35 percent. Alessio Restaurant was slated to arrive, but reportedly pulled out.

Tenants still to come include Busy Beez General Store & Market, Pets of Paradise, Red Coral Sushi, a fashion boutique for women and teens, and a children's apparel store.

When nearby Sycamore Canyon School is in session, many children visit the ice cream shop at the end of the day. They're expected to keep the candy store busy, too.

Business is already good at the Paraiso Deli, said owner Sami Haddad.

Haddad learned his trade at Agoura Liquor and Deli, which his family has owned for 30 years. When he first heard about Paraiso several years ago, Haddad decided to open his own deli.

The eatery's outside doors open to tables with umbrellas and provide a tranquil view of a waterfall feature with steps that lead to a playground area.

Jennifer Jones and her daughters, Sunni, 3, and Holly, 1, sat outside Crave sharing a smoothie. It's a routine stop for them after a workout at the nearby Miller Family YMCA, Jones said.

She and her husband regularly come back in the evenings. They push a double stroller and walk about two miles from their home to eat dinner at the deli and let their children enjoy the playground.

Jones said she loves the feeling she gets from the Santa Barbara ranchstyle buildings surrounded by grassy areas, and she's looking forward to the empty spaces filling up.

Said Carión, "The immediate community of Dos Vientos really needs to support the stores there. They need the (foot) traffic."