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.