As an editorial board, one question we've always raised when talking with potential city leaders in Clovis is the number of empty businesses along Shaw Avenue in Fresno's neighbor to the east. Some of it seems to be poor planning.
My husband and I saw another example yesterday when we were driving to Lowe's. There is a brand new Walgreens drugstore being built on the southwest corner of Shaw and Fowler avenues, right next to the three-story senior living complex. Only problem is there is already a Walgreens at that same intersection, on the southeast corner. I'm sure they intend to close the older store when the new one is ready, which will leave the older corner not only with an empty drugstore but also an empty grocery store, since a new tenant hasn't taken over the Albertson's site that closed last summer.
There a lot of things that Clovis does right, which is why Denny and I make it our home. But Shaw Avenue deserves better planning from city leaders.
Problems on Shaw in Clovis
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My family noticed the two Walgreens yesterday as well. That seems to be one of the problems with strip malls: They are so ubiquitous and unremarkable in their character that when they are in full occupancy they are boring. They are even worse when run down and passed over for a new strip mall. It would be much better if the city planners required a better designed building in the first place so that the buildings have a longer life span and are not as much an eye sore as they age. This may allow them to be occupied longer as well.
In fairness to the City planners, they don't micromanage which stores go on which corner. If both corners are zoned for commercial use, there's nothing stopping Walgreens from moving back and forth every other year if they want. There's nothing wrong with the current store. I guess they just figure they might make a few more dollars if they move across the street. Just chalk this one up to corporate greed/waste/stupidity (take your pick).
We asked the manager at the Walgreen's and according to them they are MOVING to the new location. I think it's a good move- as it gives them an opportunity to put in a drive-thru pharmacy...which will certainly pull my buiness back from the Walgreen's at Fowler & Herndon.
We frequent the Club Cleaners in that center and they told me that the center owners have been talking with John's Incredible Pizza in regards to the location. They thought it was kind of small for a John's... but as a Mom, I would not mind not having to drive so far for such an attraction.... I guess only time will tell!
I guess the property owners need to get out there and solicit new business for that location. I wouldn't be surprised if they are in Las Vegas this week at the Retail Convention looking for an anchor tennant.
Being a Sacramento transplant, I wouldn't mind a Raley's or Bel Air grocery store moving into the area!