Four Fresno businesses, from locally-owned places to a Starbucks, have closed. Here’s why
Four longtime businesses in Fresno are closing their doors for good.
Those businesses — which include two stores, a Starbucks and a decades-old business that celebrated the fruit grown in the Valley — all have different reasons for closing.
COVID-19 played a role in some closures, undoubtedly, but several owners said it wasn’t a factor in their decisions.
Here is who’s closed and why.
One of the Starbucks at River Park has closed.
The coffee shop next to Uncle Harry’s New York Bagelry has a sign on the door from September saying it has permanently closed – something people staying home due to the pandemic may not have noticed.
River Park, however, has long had two Starbucks. The one at 7680 N. Blackstone Ave., near Panera Bread, is still open.
A Starbucks representative said in an email that the closure of the 7658 N. Blackstone Ave. coffee shop was part of the company’s routine evaluation of locations to ensure a healthy business.
The chain also has been increasingly focusing on locations with drive-thrus. Neither River Park location had a drive-thru.
Starbucks also recently converted the former Long John Silver’s at the southeast corner of Blackstone and Herndon avenues into a new Starbucks with a drive-thru.
HobbyTown has closed its location on Barstow Avenue near Blackstone Avenue. Kayanne and John Yung ran the store for 28 years.
When asked about the closure by The Bee, an employee who answered the phone said “no comment” and hung up.
It’s not clear if coronavirus played a role in the closure, though the store often hosted get-togethers like meetings of gamers and miniature enthusiasts that may have been affected by state restrictions.
The store sold model airplanes, rockets, supplies for gamers, radio-controlled cars and other hobby-related items.
The owners built a track to the east of the store for the remote-controlled cars and hosted races that would attract dozens of enthusiasts and observers on weekends.
For years, the store was located on Bullard and Marks avenues before moving to its most recent location.
California Gourmet Company, formerly Bouquet of Fruits, has closed its shop at Bullard and West avenues in the Pavilion West shopping center.
The 35-year-old company was known for its chocolate-dipped strawberries and creating gift baskets featuring fruit and other foods grown in the Valley that could be shipped all over.
Gina and Stephen Paul started the business as a kiosk at Sierra Vista Mall in Clovis shortly after getting married. Gina did much of the day-to-day work, often while her husband was farming. The family still farms in the area.
This closure can’t be blamed on coronavirus. The business was healthy, but Gina wanted to retire and the lease was coming up for renewal so the time seemed right, said Stephen Paul.
“The most important thing Gina and I want people to know is how thankful we are from the bottom of our hearts,” he said. “This community is amazing and the people are amazing and to serve them has been fabulous.”
Top Drawer at the Opus I shopping center at Palm and Bullard avenues has closed, but the retailer is not gone for good.
The store known for selling the popular Vera Bradley quilted bags, stationery and other gifts has had various locations over the years in Fig Garden Village and River Park.
Owner Jane Saunders – who you’ll often see with her big dog Dobbins in tow – said the pandemic didn’t close the shop.
It was a variety of factors and when it came time to renew the lease, she decided she wanted a new challenge, she said.
So now, she’s reopening in two locations under the name The Lagniappe. Pronounced “lan-yap,” it’s a Cajun word for “a little something extra.”
One is inside Sierra Sport & Racquet Club at 2626 W. Alluvial Ave. and is already open.
The other, opening any day now, is at Tesoro Viejo, the new community of homes in Madera off Highway 41. It’s inside the development’s welcome center, The Hub, which is also home to Axis Coffee Bar & Eatery.
Each mini store is a little different. Expect some Vera Bradley merchandise, but also the Italian Uashmama line. It sells bags made from paper that look like leather, including bags for wine, laundry and other uses.
Saunders also plans to continue to sell online.
