Have you heard?: King AveNEWS part 1 (2024)

Have you been craving La Palmita’s authentic Mexican food ever since they moved from their location on King Ave West? I have. I was so excited to find them again recently, and order my favorite item on their menu, a torta with carnitas. They are now located just off King Avenue West, at 927 South 32ndSt.

For those who weren’t crazy about the combination of restaurant and casino in one room before, you might like this location better. There’s a little more separation between restaurant and casino here. It’s a standalone rustic wood restaurant space, and much larger, as well. It is still connected to a casino though, for those who desire a drink next-door and a little gaming with their dinner, through a connecting doorway this time.

Owner Ricardo Garcia says he is excited for the move, especially for the larger seating area, kitchen, and cooler space. He’s even expanded the menu to include a Ribeye, and salmon entrees. La Palmita has come a long way since its early days, which started in a food truck. Aside from the brick-and-mortar in Billings, his other location in Red Lodge is an ever-popular destination as well. The food truck, featuring the full La Palmita menu, still frequents local events.

Lingerie boutique

Moving onto the avenue, in the strip mall located at 2950 King Ave., there is a brand-new business for the ladies. It’s a welcoming, elegantly feminine space, sure to lift you and your confidence up by the time you leave. Zakara Lingerie, owned by longtime local Lisa Cetrone, opened its doors in May.

Many might know her from Cetrone Studio, a photography studio she and her husband Mark Cetrone ran for 29 years, once located at the Crossroads of Shiloh and Central (where a little white chapel still stands). Cetrone gained her years of bra-fitting expertise as part-owner of TLC Lingerie.

Cetrone’s inspiration for Zakara stems from both her recent experience, her extensive background in portrait photography, and a desire to help women feel good about themselves. Built into the boutique is a boudoir photography studio, Mia Bella Boudoir, and soon-to-be rentable event space, set to open for business in the fall.

“When you feel good about yourself, it makes everything just a little bit easier,” Cetrone said.

“When someone says, ‘There’s no cute bra for me’, what they’re saying is, ‘I’m not good enough.’ So, to be able to put them in something cute and pretty that does what it’s supposed to do and doesn’t hurt them, that’s life-changing for that girl.”

Zakara is a comprehensive, high-quality boutique for women’s undergarments of all sizes — yes, all— with bra sizes ranging from 28 to 48, A to O. Four out of five women are wearing the wrong bra size, Cetrone said. She and her team of leading ladies— Keshia LittleBear Cetrone, Makayla Wheland, and Shelby Syvertson— offer free bra fittings, as well as a wealth of knowledge to all women who walk through the door.

“We take bras very seriously,” Wheland said. “Life is too short to wear crappy bras.”

Seafood special

We finally make our way down the street to Red Lobster. I never thought I’d see the day when my family’s favorite seafood chain would be in jeopardy. With the national news of Red Lobster’s bankruptcy, and corporate closing locations across the states, locals have been concerned and curious to know if Billings will lose its lobsters. Well, I’ve been told there’s no news of closure from corporate as of yet. So, you may have your all-you-can-eat shrimp for a while longer.

There’s one more little tidbit of news I want to include this week that is not on King Avenue, but timely nonetheless. Sweetwater Café, inside the Rock31 building downtown, at 201 North Broadway, will now open at 7 a.m., and will offer an Early Bird Menu, available weekdays from 7-8:30 a.m. This will include black coffee, a signature latte, and a mushroom cold brew, with a drink and pastry combo option. Customers may call or text (406) 272-9991, or message Sweetwater Café socials, to place an order for pickup.

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