New stores, restaurants are opening in Merced. See 7 businesses coming to town
Get ready, Merced. A wave of new businesses is coming to town.
From restaurants to retail shops, several places are preparing to open their doors to the community.
Here’s a look at what’s set to open in Merced, as of Friday, May 16:
Chick-fil-A
In 2023, Merced city officials confirmed that popular fast food chain Chick-fil-A is coming to town.
The new restaurant is set to open near 15th Street and Martin Luther King Way, just off Highway 99.
As of early May, city and company officials said there is no projected opening date for the Merced location.
Poki Bowl
A Poki Bowl restaurant is coming to Merced, bringing build-your-own seafood bowls with an Asian twist to local diners.
On its website, Poki Bowl said the new Merced location is “coming soon.”
However, the San Jose-based restaurant chain didn’t provide a specific address or opening date.
As of Tuesday, May 13, Merced city officials said they had no additional details to confirm, and the company had yet to respond to a request for comment.
Sahara Coffee House
A new family-owned coffee shop rooted in Yemeni coffee and Arabic culture is coming soon to Merced.
Sahara Coffee House is set to open at 1459 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Suite 9, later in May or in early June.
The shop will feature Arabic coffee and espresso drinks, Turkish coffee, specialty teas and a variety of traditional sweets.
Those include Dubai chocolate, Arabic cakes and honeycomb bread filled with cream cheese and drizzled with honey.
Bae Tea Coffeehouse
Bae Tea Coffeehouse is also joining Merced’s growing coffee scene.
The Yemeni-inspired coffee shop recently announced its upcoming location in The Hub at the intersection of Yosemite Avenue and McKee Road.
While an official opening date hasn’t been announced, the shop promises a menu that includes traditional Yemeni coffees and teas, along with a variety of smoothies and milkshakes.
Hilton Garden Inn
A new Hilton Garden Inn is set to open in Merced by August or September.
The $36 million, five-story hotel will feature 133 rooms and will be located at the southwest corner of Campus Parkway and Coffee Street, within the growing Campus Parkway Plaza.
The 44,224-square-foot project will include landscaped parking, two kitchens — one for the hotel and another for a banquet facility that can host up to 350 guests — a full-service bar, an outdoor seating area with a fire pit and plans for a projection TV near the bar.
Raising Cane’s
Raising Cane’s, the popular fast food known for its chicken fingers, is coming to the Marketplace at Merced.
The Louisiana-based restaurant will take over the former Big Lots space at 665 Fairfield Drive.
While an opening date has not been announced, the fast food chain signed a 15-year lease for the location.
Crunch Fitness
Crunch Fitness is also joining the Marketplace at Merced.
The popular gym will share the former Big Lots location at 665 Fairfield Drive.
The gym will offer members personal training, group fitness classes and a wide range of workout equipment.
An opening date has yet to be confirmed.
Which stores are coming to the Merced Mall?
Ethan Conrad Properties, which purchased the Marketplace at Merced in June 2024, has announced several new businesses set to open at the revitalized shopping center.
According to the company, here are some of the upcoming mall additions:
Boot Barn — Western apparel and gear, including cowboy boots and hats
Burlington — Discount retail chain offering clothing, home goods and more
Five Below — Trendy, affordable items geared toward teens and tweens
Mattress Firm — National mattress and bedding retailer
Mocha Boba — Asian-inspired eatery serving Korean corn dogs, mochi donuts and boba drinks
Petco — Pet supplies, grooming and wellness services
Rack Room Shoes — Family footwear and accessories
The Come Up Kickz — Sneaker shop specializing in buying, selling and trading athletic shoes
Ulta — Beauty retailer offering cosmetics, skincare and salon services
Vallarta Supermarket — Latino-focused grocery store known for fresh produce and specialty goods
This story was originally published May 16, 2025 at 11:16 AM.
