Why are two prime spots in Old Town Clovis sitting empty? Here’s the plan to replace them
Walk down Pollasky Avenue in Old Town Clovis and it’s easy to notice the two big empty storefronts in the otherwise bustling business district.
There are no mannequins or wedding gowns in the windows anymore at what used to be home to Madeleine’s Bridal Boutique at Pollasky Avenue and Fifth Street.
And A Secret Garden floral and gift shop has emptied out its patio in front and the inside of the business, which was getting a new floor on a recent afternoon.
Both businesses have moved to new locations and are still alive and well in Clovis. And already, new and familiar names are gearing up to move into the spaces they left behind.
A Secret Garden is now in an industrial park at 197 N. Sunnyside Ave. The owner could not be reached for comment about why it moved.
Madeleine’s has moved a little more than a block away, to the southeast corner of Clovis Avenue and Third Street in the Saddleback Village shopping center.
A 21% increase in rent necessitated the move, said Madeleine’s owner Sherri Mosher.
The business took over three spaces in the new location, which includes the shop and bridal suites where brides can try on dresses, with seating for friends and family. Another area contains behind-the-scenes space for an office, alterations and more.
Madeleine’s is still providing services for brides, their mothers, and the entire bridal party.
“Do I miss Pollasky? Yes, I miss Pollasky,” Mosher said. “I miss my corner spot. I miss my big windows that we could decorate.”
But the new space has plenty of parking right in front and the appointment-based business does not rely on foot traffic, she said.
Who’s moving in?
The empty buildings are not a reflection on the health of Old Town, said Scott Dority, who owns both the buildings and a few others in Old Town Clovis.
“I haven’t even put signs in the Madeleine’s building and I’ve got people calling me,” he said. “Same thing with Secret Garden. I’ve got a line of people there.”
No leases have been signed yet, but Dority is positive about ongoing negotiations with several business owners.
He said Sierra Nut House will “probably” take over the A Secret Garden space. The store and bistro must leave its location in the Villaggio shopping center on north Blackstone Avenue by the end of 2025 to make way for a second Sam’s Deli location.
“People will be able to sit outside under that magnolia tree and have Italian coffees,” he said.
In the Madeleine’s spot, Dority is negotiating with two interested businesses.
Hungry Bear Cookies is eyeing part of it, he said. The local cookie baker recently closed its location at Willow and Nees avenues, teasing in a Facebook post that it would reopen in Old Town Clovis. Its Fig Garden Village location is still open.
As for the rest of the Madeleine’s space, Dority is negotiating with Rocket Fizz, a soda pop and candy shop.
It sells whimsical flavors of soda, including bacon soda, buffalo wing soda and “Marilyn Monroe lemonade.” It also carries nostalgic candy, such as giant lollipops, candy buttons and Dubble Bubble gum.
But nothing is finalized. Until the owner and renter sign a lease, anything could change.
Dority, whose day job is with DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance, said he owns buildings in Old Town because he believes in it.
“I love what Old Town stands for,” he said. “I want to see a variety of different shops coming onto Pollasky.”
This story was originally published August 24, 2024 at 12:00 PM.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story said Sierra Nut House would close at the end of 2024. It will close at the end of 2025.
