Business in southeast Fresno is on the brink of booming with long-anticipated plans nearing reality.
Much of the shell structure of what’s expected to be the largest Target in the central San Joaquin Valley is completed. The popular big box store remains on track to open in October, according to former Fresno City councilmember Luis Chavez, who represented the district for the past eight years.
And while this new Target, which will be 150,000 square feet of retail space, will serve as arguably the most popular upcoming attraction to the Fancher Creek Town Center, there’s much more happening around the intersection of Clovis and Tulare avenues, and beyond.
Including new construction occurring near the Target to build an In-N-Out Burger.
An In-n-Out Burger sign was displayed on a chain-link fence earlier this month in the Fancher Creek Town Center, indicating the structure that’s being built a few hundred yards from what appears to be the front entrance of the upcoming Target. Both Target and In-N-Out project to open around October.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Chavez said. “Residents in southeast Fresno have patiently waited for this. And what you’re starting to see is an explosion of interest in the area.”
An In-N-Out Burger sign was displayed on a chain-link fence earlier this month, indicating the structure that’s being built a few hundred yards from what appears to be the front entrance of the upcoming Target.
A few more hundred yards to the south, one can see the shell structure of the Sprouts Farmers Market finished.
Like the Target, the In-N-Out and the Sprouts also are projected to open around October.
An In-N-Out Burger is being built in southeast Fresno as part of the development of the Fancher Creek Town Center. The popular burger joint is located a few hundred feet from a Target that’s also being built. Both project to open sometime this fall.
Residential complexes open
Some projects, which have been in the works since 2005, are already open.
Like new nearby residential complexes with the affordable family housing near the Target that creates a mixed use in the Fancher Creek development. Sarah’s Court opened in February and the 180-unit Brandhaven senior housing a year ago.
Residents at Brandhaven said there’s a waiting list to move into the senior living place.
Each complex also has its own parking garage for residents.
Brandhaven, an affordable senior living in southeast Fresno, has a waitlist to become a resident at the complex. Some of the attraction to living there is the upcoming development of the Fancher Creek Town Center, including a Target that’s supposed to open in October.
Among the Fancher Creek Town Center projects completed is Sarah’s Court, an affordable living complex for families with limited income. The complex opened in February.
Roughly a half mile south of the Fancher Creek Town Center, a Ross Dress for Less opened March 8. The discount store takes over the 23,000-square foot location that once was occupied by an Orchard Supply Hardware.
“Everyone knows that once the big retailers come, other businesses flock to the area,” Chavez said. “That’s why getting Target to come here was big. And it’s not just going to be any Target.
“It’s going to be the biggest in the Central Valley. And it’s going to be conveniently located for southeast Fresno residents so they don’t have to drive north to go to Target.”
A Ross Dress of Less opened in southeast Fresno on March 8, located near the intersection of Clovis Avenue and Cesar Chavez Boulevard.
Older businesses in the area also are stepping up to attract shoppers southeast Fresno.
A program funded by the City of Fresno and headed by the Southeast Fresno Community Economic Development Association has helped some businesses improve and perhaps refresh their front structure or signs.
That includes completed projects at: El Paso Furniture, Pro Check Auto Care, Classic Lady House of Beauty, Maggie’s Candies Store And Country Fare Cafe.
“It’s not just new businesses that’s bettering our community,” said Jose Leon-Barraza, CEO of the Southeast Fresno Community Economic Development Association. “We’re beautifying those businesses that have been established so we help and don’t forget those who’ve been around and were willing to invest early in southeast Fresno.”
A program funded by the City of Fresno and headed by the Southeast Fresno Community Economic Development Association has helped some businesses improve and perhaps refresh their front structure or signs, including Maggie’s Candies Store at 4531 E. Cesar Chavez Blvd.
Future projects
Several other projects and developments remain on horizon in Fancher Creek Town Center.
On the Fancher Creek website from developer Lance-Kashian & Co., which is the same company that owns River Park, coming soon the east side of Clovis Avenue are the following businesses:
Chavez added that a Dutch Bros, Starbucks and a sit-down restaurant are also in the works.
And there’s a 7-Eleven under construction just south of Belmont Avenue along Fowler Avenue.
A Sprouts grocery store is being built near the intersection of Clovis and Tulare avenues in southeast Fresno. It’s part of the Fancher Creek Town Center development is projects to open in October.
In addition, Chavez revealed there are plans for a portion of the 29-acre Fancher Creek development to be used to build a movie theater complex.
This future theater is expected to be located on the northern side of the shopping center.
One of the closest movie theaters currently to southeast Fresno residents is Regal Manchester, roughly seven miles away.
Chavez said construction on the movie theater is expected to begin in about a year.
“When the time comes and everything is built and open, people from around the city and the surrounding communities like Parlier and Sanger will come,” Chavez said.
“It’s going to be a game changer for the community and it’s going to enhance the quality of life.”
Much of the shell structure to this Target has been built. But much more remains before what’s expected to be the largest Target in the central San Joaquin Valley is completed. The Target is the anchor development in southeast Fresno and part of the Fancher Creek Town Center.
