By the time you read this, the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals will have been devoured, gifts opened, and many new holiday memories made. In my December article, I reviewed the status of the city’s capital improvement projects in 2014. As is tradition in this my January article, I take a moment to look back at some of the accomplishments of the private sector in Visalia during this past year, as well as some things to look forward to.
Mooney Boulevard: Ashley Furniture opened up next door to Burlington Coat Factory which opened up next door to Walmart on South Mooney Boulevard. Out in front is a new El Pollo Loco restaurant. Once nearly empty, this commercial center is thriving once again. In Packwood Creek West, Five Guys Burgers & Fries is expected to open by the end of the year, along with a new dental office. A new Wet Seal, Beebe’s Nail Salon, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit and Corner Bakery Café also went in there. America’s Tire Store opened next door. Sleep Train opened a mattress discount outlet next to Dick’s Sporting Goods. At the Sequoia Mall, a 20,000 square foot Serrano’s Furniture Store occupies the former Border’s space. Continuing north on Mooney Boulevard, Mor Furniture for Less will soon be open. At the Visalia Mall, there is the new Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen and Amy’s Hallmark. Across from COS is the new Black Bear Diner.
Historic Downtown: Tazzaria opened a PHD (Public House Downstairs) this year. They’ll soon add Eighty/20 Wood Fired Burgers in the former Mike’s Quality Camera location. Sequoia Brewery will be a new restaurant on Main Street in the old Mar building. The former Gold’s Gym has been converted to a professional office building for Quad Knopf. The former Surplus City is being remodeled, and will have The General’s Trading Post opening in early 2015. A new Pita Kabob opened on north Court Street. The former Link’s building is being remodeled for one or two new businesses and some loft apartments. KJUG is moving into new quarters at the former Toyota dealership on Mineral King. Family Health Care Network added almost 35,000 square feet in a new two-story addition and Imagine U Children’s Museum is under construction. And let’s not forget that we have two brand new pickleball courts in Recreation Park.
North Visalia: WSS, an upscale shoe company, just held their grand opening at Orchard Walk Shopping Center, featuring brand-name sports shoes. A new Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is also under construction there, along with some building shells for new occupants to be announced. That shopping center seems to always have its parking lot packed with cars, which means plenty of business. To the south of that center is a planned shopping/office commercial center, with a planned AM/PM and Wendy’s.. Oval Park is becoming a concert venue, with new fencing, lighting and security in the works.
Industrial Park: Hilti, Inc., a manufacturer of hand and power tools for commercial use added a 15,000 square foot service center. Pacific Southwest Containers added a 50,000 square foot warehouse for their box-making plant. Perfection Pet Foods is seeking a permit to add another 143,000 square foot warehouse in addition to opening a new vitamin mixing plant in a vacant 70,000 square foot facility. Liebherr Construction Equipment just announced that they are opening their Western U.S. spare parts warehouse here. Diversified Development Group is building 40,000+ square feet of new spec industrial space. Hydrite Chical also expanded.
Other Developments: A new Holiday Inn Express is being proposed on the vacant lot just south of Adventure Park. Sequoia Medical Building on Akers, next door to Lifestyles, has been completed, with various medical-related businesses going in there. After many years in the planning process, Derrel’s Mini Storage has commenced building a $2.2 million 200,000 square foot mini storage complex on the northwest corner of Goshen and Demaree. This will include the widening and improvement of Demaree and Chinowth on either side of that project. Marymont California University, offering bachelors and master’s degrees with three campuses in Southern California and Lake County, is looking at Visalia to possibly open a San Joaquin Valley campus. The city hired Devon Jones as the city’s new Economic Development Manager. He’s been working not only to attract new business to the area, but to act as a liaison between the city and existing businesses to improve customer satisfaction. The Visalia Rotary Community Foundation is building a respite house on south Watson Street, across 198 from Kaweah Delta Hospital, for families who have loved ones hospitalized there.
The foregoing are just some of the 2014 highlights, I’m sure I have unintentionally left out some new businesses. However, the point is that Visalia continues to be good for business and business is good for Visalia. I wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year in 2015!
Warren Gubler
Visalia Vice Mayor
wgubler@ci.visalia.ca.us
(559) 713-4400 ext. 3313
