Family Dollar has confirmed plans to open seven stores in the Fresno/Clovis market, just as Dollar General is announcing plans to open stores in the area.
Family Dollar already is working on converting the former Hollywood Video at Clinton and Blackstone avenues in Fresno.
Charlotte, N.C.-based spokesman Josh Braverman confirmed that at least six Family Dollar stores will open in Fresno, plus at least one in Clovis. He would only confirm stores that have signed leases. Since the company plans to open between 450 and 500 stores by August, there could be more.
Two stores -- one at 4855 Kings Canyon Road near Winery Avenue and another at 3233 N. Cedar Ave., near Shields Avenue -- are scheduled to open in May. A third is under way at the northwest corner of Shaw and Clovis avenues in Clovis.
Braverman would not reveal locations of the remaining stores, but city records indicate leases for Family Dollar stores have been signed for 4819 E. Olive Ave. near Chestnut Avenue, at Alta Avenue and Saginaw Way in Dinuba, at Lemoore Avenue and Hanford-Armona Road in Lemoore, and Manning Avenue near Buttonwillow Avenue in Reedley.
Goodlettsville, Tenn.-based Dollar General also is planning to open "a couple of dozen stores in the Central Valley" as part of its 625-store expansion in 2012. It will open a grocery version of its store in the former Save Mart at Bullard and Minnewawa avenues, but has not revealed additional locations.
Fury in a bottle
The Meyer family, longtime Valley farmers, has opened the central San Joaquin Valley's newest wine company: Farmer's Fury.
The wine company, based in Stratford, opened last summer and has produced a Cabernet Sauvignon using 2009 grapes. A Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet will be available in May or June and a Chardonnay will be ready in September.
Former Marine George Meyer became interested in winemaking several years ago after returning to the family farm from serving two tours of duty in Iraq. He found a home wine-making kit of his father's and began to experiment, said Jana Clark, Farmer's Fury office manager.
Meyer studied winemaking at Fresno State and the family has become involved in operating the wine company.
Meyer produced his first batch on the farm using grapes from the Valley and Paso Robles. The long-range plan is to convert a nearby barn on the family's farm to a winery.
"We want to become part of a wine trail that starts in the Valley and goes all the way into Paso Robles, Clark said.
Farmer's Fury wine can be purchased at Vino & Friends in Fresno and is available at The Cellar Door and Vintage Press restaurants in Visalia. Details: www.farmersfurywines.com.
Company store
Serrano's Furniture Galleries has opened a new store at 4344 N. Blackstone Ave. in Fresno.
A Serrano's store owned by a franchisee at the southeast corner of Blackstone and Ashlan avenues has closed.
The Tulare-based corporation opened the new store about a quarter mile north of there. The new store is twice as big as the previous one, said coordinator Robert Molina.
Bethany Clough and Robert Rodriguez contributed to Word on the Street. It was compiled by Clough. The reporter can be reached at bclough@fresnobee.com or (559)441-6431.
