-September 2,2023-
New storefronts in works on Mooney
Developers on Mooney are looking to lease 6 new storefronts in coming months. At Sequoia Mall owner Dave Paynter has filed plans for three new retail spaces south of Hobby Lobby that are 7,800,4,588 and 4, 193 square feet. Paynter wants to host more national retailers as he rebrands the mall into an open air shopping center. Paynter is likely to rename it to something like Sequoia Commons to reflect the change . None of these spaces -all north of the Barnes and Noble bookstore under construction- have a name attached to them yet.
Further north up Mooney the Orosco Group has decided to divide up the former Union Bank building into three leased spaces at Walnut and Mooney next to the Visalia Mall.
The former bank building is 5800sf. Plans call out two 1440sf spaces for retailers or restaurants and a larger 3200sf space The property has 60 parking spaces it can use. Orosco bought the building for development about a year ago after Union Bank closed in Visalia.
Rally’s Hamburgers plans twin stores on Mooney and Dinuba Highway
Following the trend seen in the past few years Rally’s Hamburgers is wanting to duplicate their planned double drive-thru on Mooney in the fast growing north side of town.
The new location would be on Dinuba Highway at the Riverbend Village shopping center near Riggin. Their So Mooney store has yet to break ground at Visalia Parkway. Both Mooney retailers and fast food eateries have decided to build twin locations south and north ranging from Target and Ross to Panera Bread, In-N-Out and Pollo Loco.
Longtime developer plans Tulare Ave Hot Dog stand
Like the ‘Energizer Bunny’ you can’t slow down 88-year-old Johnny George as he plans his latest project. Johnny made the news recently with his audacious plan to resurrect Mearle’s Drive-In on South Mooney near Mooney’s Grove, and now is promoting a new “All American” Hot Dog stand bringing back footlong dogs.
The new hot dog stand is planned on Tulare Ave in front of Goerge’s sprawling former olive plant property. Johnny has converted the facility into a myriad of leased spaces ranging from office users, a candy distributor and cold storage clients.
Johnny plans to open the new hot dog eatery early next year. He says he came to Visalia when he was just 6 months old and lived in the “Okie Barrio” growing up here. He founded George’s Roofing company.
Co-work spaces in Visalia include Kinwork on E Main
Partners Saegan Moran, Jalisca Thomason and Megan Welker are busy planning a new co-work space called Kinwork at 607 E Main in a former thrift store space on the south side of the street. The 3500sf building will be divided into 8 private offices,3 art studios and a large conference room. The space includes an outside patio out back.
Next door will be a new sandwich shop called Subs & Stuff with Mexican dishes as well.
Seagan, an art instructor at COS says co-work space is becoming more popular particularly among the younger crowd who don’t want a full time office nor do they want to just work from home but want a flexible work space where ”community is really important to them.”
Seagan says the new complex may not open until spring or even summer because of all the construction that is needed. Permits for the work are pending.
Another co-work space is in the works as well on School Street at Johnson on the edge of Downtown. Called “The Nest “ the space includes both co-work space and a community kitchen for would-be chefs. The building is just across the street from the popular indoor soccer facility on Johnson.