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Steamboat Springs — After nearly two years on the market, the former Village Inn location in Central Park Plaza has a new tenant.

Justin Brockman, a leasing agent with THF Realty, of Denver, said La Fiesta Grill & Cantina will occupy the space. He said its owners hope to open during the next three months.

The owners couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday.

“They’re very experienced restaurant operators,” Brockman said. “They’re going to bring a new Mexican cuisine that is unique from what is being offered in Steamboat right now.”

Brockman added that he thought a sit-down Mexican restaurant would complement Qdoba Mexican Grill, located a few doors away on the same side of the shopping center.

A spokesperson for Flavors West, LLC, which owns Qdoba, also couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday. The same company owned the Village Inn. The restaurant closed in April 2010.

After leasing the Village Inn space, Brockman said Central Park is nearly 100 percent leased. He said leases for the only two vacancies are being negotiated and are expected to be complete by Feb. 1.

■ Sand Gallery has opened at 625 S. Lincoln Ave. in the space that was occupied by Tropical Rockies.

Owner J.J. Southard, formerly of medical marijuana dispensary Natural Choice, said the business features locally blown glass smokewear and functional glass art such as jewelry. Sand Gallery will take custom orders.

Southard said the business isn’t an apothecary but does provide some resources for medical marijuana patients. He added that Sand Gallery also hopes to offer glass-blowing classes soon.

A grand opening tentatively is scheduled for later this month.

Sand Gallery is open from noon to 6 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays through Fridays and closed Sundays. For more information, call 970-367-3773 or visit www.sandgalleryglass.com.

■ The annual Winter Carnival, in its 99th year, was named to a top 10 list in the January/February 2012 edition of National Geographic Traveler Magazine, which noted that the event “showcases the region’s rich winter sports heritage.” The list can be seen at http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/winter-trips/winter-carnivals/.

The 99th Winter Carnival, which benefits the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, will be held Feb. 8 to 12.

■ The sales tax rate in Steamboat increased 0.25 percent Jan. 1, but local retailers haven’t reported any issues, said Kim Weber, the city’s budget and tax manager.

Steamboat’s tax rate increased to 8.65 percent after voters approved a tax increase to supplement the winter air service program that provides guarantees to airlines that fly into Yampa Valley Regional Airport.

The tax breakdown is: 2.9 percent to the state, 1 percent to the county, 4 percent to the city, 0.5 percent to the Education Fund Board and 0.25 percent to the Local Marketing District to support the air program.

Weber said the only thing that may be confusing for retailers about the increase is separating it on tax returns.

She said anyone with questions should contact Sarah Vale, the city’s sales and use tax auditor, at 970-871-8251 or svale@steamboatsprings.net.

Jack Weinstein’s column appears periodically in the Steamboat Today. Contact him at 970-871-4203 or jweinstein@SteamboatToday.com.