A Wahoo’s has closed in Fresno. Here’s the new restaurant already moving into that spot
Wahoo’s Fish Taco has closed its northwest Fresno restaurant – but a new restaurant is already getting ready to take over the space.
Hummus Republic Modern Mediterranean Kitchen will open its second Fresno location there.
Wahoo’s has been at Park Place, next to the Gb3 gym at Palm and Nees avenues, for nearly 15 years. It closed at the end of March.
The other Wahoo’s at Campus Pointe is open with no plans of leaving. It’s continuing to serve its “pick your protein” style of dining with tacos, enchiladas, sandwiches and bowls on the menu.
The Fresno Wahoo’s are franchises owned by the local Benevedes family, who also own some Cold Stone Creamery locations.
“COVID was a challenge as for many businesses,” said Julie Benevedes in an email to The Bee, adding that they were happy with the location and their landlord.
But people who use the gym next door won’t have to wait much longer to grab a bite after working out.
Healthy food options
Hummus Republic plans to open there by this summer, hopefully by June.
It will be the second franchise locally owned by Chloe Cardoza, in addition to the one that opened in downtown Fresno about a year ago.
The restaurant has a build-your-own style of dining, serving bowls, wraps and pitas. It offers healthy food for people who may want steak, or others looking for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or keto options.
“I think the Gb3 clients are really going to like our healthy food,” Cardoza said.
The restaurant is a bit bigger than the downtown Hummus Republic.
Another difference: It will sell beer and wine. Cardoza is in the process of transferring Wahoo’s liquor license to Hummus Republic.
The space doesn’t need a lot of changes, and will have the clean, white aesthetic of the downtown shop. This location also has a patio that can host events.
Even more changes are in the works for the shopping center.
Next door, work is underway on what will become The Artist Tree, a combination art gallery and cannabis shop. It’s one of 21 shops to get approval from the city of Fresno.
Sabor Cocina Latina & Bar on Figarden Drive is in the process of moving into part of the former Ginza. Yava Bakery is getting ready to open in the former Le Parisien Cafe spot.
Tafoya Real Estate has moved into the FresYes! real estate office. And Michael Blunt salon recently moved into the center.
This story was originally published April 21, 2022 at 4:15 PM.
