A second Starbucks is coming back to River Park in Fresno, with some big changes
For years, River Park had two Starbucks within about 300 feet of each other.
One was close to Blackstone Avenue not far from Panera Bread. The other was in another building a little to the south that also houses Uncle Harry’s New York Bagelry & Coffeehouse.
Technically, River Park had three Starbucks if you count the one inside Target.
But the Starbucks next to Uncle Harry’s closed during the pandemic, a sign on the door saying it was permanently closed.
Now it’s coming back.
River Park spokeswoman Tracy Kashian confirmed Thursday that Starbucks will return to the spot – after some big changes.
The Starbucks side of the building has been gutted and will be majorly remodeled. A drive-thru will be added and the size of the business will increase by 928 square feet, according to permits filed with the City of Fresno.
It will also have a patio.
Uncle Harry’s will remain open during the work.
Starbucks and drive-thrus
Starbucks is increasingly focused on its drive-thru business, with 90% of its new locations opening with drive-thrus. Customers have flocked to drive-thrus for coffee and other drinks during the pandemic.
In recent years, the company has been closing stores that don’t have a drive-thru, like the one on Olive Avenue in the Tower District.
Starbucks didn’t immediately return a message asking about its plans.
Work will likely take several months before the remodeled Starbucks can reopen.
It’s not the first time a Starbucks has closed and later reopened in Fresno.
The Starbucks at Marks and Herndon avenues closed in 2009, despite an active campaign by neighbors to save it.
It returned to the spot in 2016, after a drive-thru was added.
At River Park, Starbucks never fully abandoned the space it was in, even though it closed its doors, Kashian said.
“They’ve always kept that space,” she said.
With two Starbucks so close together, will the company keep both open?
That’s up to Starbucks, Kashian said.
“I haven’t heard anything on staying, going,” she said.
She noted that Starbucks maintained both locations for years. Even though they were so close, they were different businesses, she said.
“They definitely had two different vibes and two different clientele followings,” she said. “Certain people went to one and certain people went to the other.”
This story was originally published June 9, 2022 at 3:31 PM.
