Downtown Visalia becomes hot spot for businesses

VISALIA, Calif (KFSN) -- Business is bustling in Downtown Visalia and it's become such a retail hot spot. New stores are having a hard time just getting in. Business owners say that there's so much activity in Downtown Visalia that it really is a draw to be there.

Mooney Blvd. business is picking up too, but there are still some areas that are struggling. Businesses are filling up any open spots in Downtown Visalia. Only a couple empty store fronts remain. Dickey's barbeque pit on Main St. moved into its space before it was even officially empty.

"Downtown is the fun spot," said Kelsey Peterson from Dickey's. "So recently we were looking and this lady in here who owned it previously was getting ready to move out so we ended up getting it quickly."

Visalia Mayor Steve Nelsen says for the most part, downtown shops don't stay vacant long.

"When people do move out it's a matter of remodeling, retrofitting what the store looks like and then they're back open again," said Nelsen. "When you look at the downtown there's probably 98-99% occupied."

Next to Dickey's is where a pizza shop used to be. Once it closed only two weeks had passed before three new eateries moved in. Downtown events like the weekly farmer's market and monthly "blues and brews" are helping retailers.

"It's fun," said Peterson. "It's good all the attractions down here too so it helps bring people in."

"With everybody on the same page trying to maintain the vitality of downtown I think it looks well for the city and bodes well for the citizens," Nelsen says.

Most of Mooney Blvd is thriving, too. The once barren former Costco shopping center is now flourishing with Walmart, Ashley Furniture, and Burlington Coat Factory. But the old Circuit City spot, empty for more than five years now, is still looking for a tenant.

Across the street, though, sits the Sequoia Mall. While it still attracts consumers to Sears, Hobby Lobby and the movie theater a majority of the inside is still starkly quiet. Still, Nelsen says, the city council's rezoning of several parcels has helped bring business to Mooney.

"I think the economy has turned around where people can now say hey we can now improve the situation and bring businesses into Mooney," said Nelsen. "And I think we're seeing the results of that."

The former site of Link's Clothing Store will soon open as a wine store, complete with tastings. So another new business is coming to Downtown Visalia.