Discount store halts northeast Fresno library’s big move. What small thinking | Opinion
For the last 15 years, supporters of one of Fresno’s smallest public libraries have longed for a larger space.
Recently the ideal location for a new and expanded Politi Branch popped up: a former Rite Aid store on the northeast corner of First Street and Bullard Avenue, kitty-corner from the existing library on the southwest corner.
“It’s perfect,” said Janet Claassen, a Friends of the Politi Branch board member. “This kind of site comes up once in a lifetime.”
The existing library is 5,000 square feet and tucked away in a strip mall. Many drive past completely unaware it’s even there.
The proposed location is 22,000 square feet — enough to have a much-needed community room, study rooms and more space for books, tables and computer stations. All to better serve the neighborhood.
It’s also highly visible from First Street, next door to a newly built Starbucks and adjacent (via back fences) to Ahwahnee Middle School.
“Teachers at Ahwahnee don’t even know there’s a library next to them,” said Claassen, a retired school librarian.
Everyone involved in the situation (i.e. the Fresno County Public Library, the Friends of the Politi Branch nonprofit, the owner and property manager) thought the move was a splendid idea.
Everyone, that is, except for the corporate owners of the 99 Cents Only Store located across the shopping center from the proposed library. Who flexed their contractual rights and put a halt to it.
“During our inquiry, we learned that the 99 Cents Only Store has verbiage in their lease that allows them to restrict non-commercial use on the remainder of the property,” explained Susan Renfro, the Fresno County Public Library spokesperson.
The discount store’s main objection, apparently, was parking. Specifically, library-goers would take up so many parking spaces that 99 Cents Only Store shoppers would get squeezed out.
After visiting the shopping center myself on Tuesday afternoon, it’s hard to believe anyone could make this claim with a straight face.
‘Huge amount of parking’
The 99 Cents Only Store and the former Rite-Aid (currently housing a Halloween store) are at least 100 yards apart and separated by a sprawling parking lot.
“I counted and there’s around 300 spaces,” said Mark Kalchik, Friends of the Politi Branch president. “My wife and I have shopped there for decades and we’ve never even seen half of them filled up.”
The co-owner of one of several small businesses located in the shopping center backed up that assertion.
“Oh my gosh, there’s a huge amount of parking in this lot,” Kelly Miller said.
Miller, a partner at Bullard Uniform for 28 years, said she would welcome the library moving into a space that has lacked a permanent tenant since early 2022. Starbucks opened earlier this year after erecting a new building next door, with a drive-thru, of course.
“I think it would be wonderful,” Miller said. “What’s better than a cup of coffee and a book?”
99 Cents Only Stores didn’t completely reject the proposal. They said they would allow the library provided the back of the old Rite Aid building is used as its main entrance and library-goers park in the back parking lot.
I checked out that option, and it’s completely unfeasible. One way in takes drivers across the 99 Cents Store loading dock that is frequently blocked by delivery trucks. The other, behind the Starbucks, isn’t wide enough for two-way traffic.
Using the back entrance and parking lot, Renfro said, “would not be conducive to us providing services in a safe and efficient way.”
When informed of the discount store chain’s demand, Miller groaned.
“That’s ridiculous,” she said. “They already get free reign of the parking lot. Their customers park in front of my store all the time.”
Discount store chain must reconsider
What is 99 Cents Only Stores thinking by placing such an onerous condition on the library? I attempted to get their side of the story, but my emails and phone messages weren’t returned.
It’s hard to see the company’s logic. Wouldn’t the store stand to benefit from more people frequenting the shopping center? And wouldn’t other potential tenants that require 22,000 square feet of retail put just as great a demand on the parking lot?
Besides, they’d be doing the neighborhood a tremendous service. The Politi Branch has outgrown its single-room setup.
“The one thing we could really use is a community room, like Woodward and other libraries have,” supervising librarian Alan Greenhaw said.
“When we have a children’s program or book-signing, we have to figure out what to do with people reading newspapers. It would be nice to have a separate space.”
Named in honor of Fresno-born author and illustrator Leo Politi, the branch is approaching a major milestone. It opened in May 1974 at the same location.
“We were hoping for the 50th anniversary celebration we’d celebrate by expanding,” Kalchik said. “It’s a win-win for everybody. We can’t understand why 99 Cents Only Stores isn’t supporting this.”
The stance is baffling.
But if enough people write to 99 Cents Only Stores headquarters (4000 Union Pacific Ave., City of Commerce, CA 90023), call (323-980-8145) or send an email (customerservice@99only.com), perhaps they’ll reconsider their selfish, small-minded decision.
This story was originally published October 11, 2023 at 12:16 PM.
