The Merced Mall is set to undergo a significant transformation, revitalizing the local shopping experience. The former 94,000-square-foot Sears building, which had remained vacant for nearly a decade, is being redeveloped into a vibrant outdoor shopping area. This redevelopment will introduce several well-known retailers, including Burlington Coat Factory, Ulta Beauty, Petco, Five Below, Carter’s, and Bath & Body Works. ABC30 Fresno
Construction crews have been diligently working on this $20 million project since December. Local residents have expressed enthusiasm for the long-overdue upgrades to the mall, which has been a central fixture in the community for 50 years. One resident, Lupe, reminisced about family visits to the mall for holiday photos and expressed excitement about the mall becoming more lively. ABC30 Fresno
Renovations on the opposite side of the mall began in 2017 but faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues, and the overall decline in in-person shopping. However, the upcoming additions of Boot Barn and Vallarta Supermarket, developed by Ethan Conrad Properties, are set to reinvigorate the area. Additionally, new dining options, including a Raising Cane’s off Olive Avenue, are planned for the parking lot area. ABC30 Fresno
Longtime mall tenant Kerri Maciel, owner of a jewelry shop for over 30 years, shared her optimism about the mall’s future, noting that she recently signed another five-year lease. She emphasized the mall’s proximity to UC Merced and Merced College as vital to the city’s future, aiming to restore the mall as a central shopping destination for the community. ABC30 Fresno
These developments mark a significant step in revitalizing Merced Mall, promising an enhanced shopping and dining experience for residents and visitors alike.