January 22,2019-
Visalia will see 2 new upscale eateries land on Mooney and opening by fall of this year. The Visalia Mall announced this week that they will build two side-by-side restaurants at Beech and Mooney, owned by the same Southern California firm.
Opening November 1 will be California Fish Grill, a 3000sf sit-down restaurant and gourmet sandwich maker Urbane Cafe, a 2000sf fast-service food place. The site is the former location of the Wells Fargo bank, now a an empty pad – next to the mall’s parking structure and Macy’s.
The California Fish Grill will be first entry into the Central Valley for the small chain that has some 25 locations in the greater LA and San Diego areas.Founded by Victor Topete in 1998 the company says they have been grilling and crafting delicious, healthy, seafood favorites for a growing family of guests. Pledged to have respect for the ocean, they promise that their seafood can be enjoyed for years to come by partnering with reputable fisheries that provide the freshest wild-caught and responsibly farm-raised fish.
Joining them will be Urbane Cafe a quick-service sandwich and salad maker the has 17 locations in southern California and now in Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo. They have just opened its first store in the Valley in Bakersfield likely on the march north with an expansion strategy.
The flagship Urbane Cafe restaurant that founder Tom Holt opened in Ventura happened over 15 years ago.
Visalia Mall manager Richard Feder says “our shoppers have been telling us they would like more dining options at the mall to add to the food court, Robin’s and Blaze Pizza stores. “People today are often pushed for time and these new eateries from the coast will offer not only quick service but tasty and healthy cuisine”
As for parking Feder says there is plenty of parking on surface spaces next to the planned eateries and overflow in the parking garage next door.
In other all news news Feder says they had a good holiday season and both big anchors – Macy’s and Penny’s did as well despite national news to the contrary. “These Visalia stores are the stronger ones in their portfolio.”
Children’s stores closing
Not all the news at the mall is great however with the closing of the Gymboree children’s stores including both Gymboree and Crazy 8 stores at the mall and at the Tulare Outlet after a bankruptcy filing.
“The store closings will give us a chance to move in new concept stores to take their place” figures Feder. Opening later this year will be clothing retailer Cotton On in the space vacated by Wet Seal.
The Visalia Mall is now owned by Brookfield Properties who bought the property from General Growth last August.