Merced business changes: Closures and new expansions revealed

Merced's business landscape is witnessing significant transitions marked by both closures and expansions. The closure of the Barnes & Noble bookstore and the Yosemite Wholesale Distribution Center highlights challenges in maintaining established business operations, exacerbated by broader economic pressures and corporate restructuring.

Conversely, expansions like Ethan Conrad Properties revitalizing the Marketplace at Merced reflect a focus on reinvigorating retail spaces, with new national chains like Raising Cane’s and Mocha Boba indicating a shift towards diverse retail offerings.

Additionally, infrastructural changes such as the high-speed rail project necessitate community relocations, challenging local institutions like the Boys & Girls Club to adapt and secure funding for continuity. Together, these developments underscore the dynamic nature of Merced's economic landscape, balancing growth with adaptation to evolving economic conditions and community needs.

An aerial photo of flooding in Planada’s Houlihan Park in Merced County is shown here.

NO. 1: MERCED COUNTY SUPERVISORS APPROVE $20M IN FLOOD RELIEF FUNDING FOR PLANADA RESIDENTS

Planada residents can apply for relief funds beginning on March 11. | Published January 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Andrew Kuhn

Barnes & Noble, with a location on Olive Avenue in Merced, will be starting a My Favorite Teacher Contest this month, and all entries are due by March 1. By Thaddeus Miller

NO. 2: BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSTORE SET TO CLOSE MERCED STORE. HERE’S WHEN AND WHAT WE KNOW.

A store manager confirmed the Barnes & Noble store in Merced is closing soon. | Published March 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shawn Jansen

Merced Sun-Star File Image. By Andrew Kuhn

NO. 3: TWO FIRE STATIONS CLOSING, OTHERS CONSOLIDATING, AS MERCED COUNTY FACES STAFFING SHORTAGES

The stations, operated under California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, are required to have two fire personnel on duty 24 hours a day. | Published May 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Andrew Kuhn

NO. 4: MERCED MALL HAS NEW OWNER, NEW PLANS AND A NEW NAME, ACCORDING TO CITY OFFICIALS

The company that purchased the Merced Mall will rename it Marketplace at Merced. | Published June 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Shawn Jansen

Polly Spires (front right), 80, playsPinochle with her friends at the Merced Senior Community Center on Thursday Oct. 18, 2024. She visits the center three times a week to socialize with people in her age group. “I live alone. It’s the only time I get to talk to anyone,” Spires said. The senior center is facing displacement when construction of the high-speed rail begins in Merced in 2026.

NO. 5: FUTURE HIGH-SPEED RAIL NIXES TWO MERCED COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTERS. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The city’s partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Merced County secured construction of the McCombs Youth Center. Now, they are being asked to move. | Published October 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Alma Villegas

Trucks and trailers sit outside the now closed Yosemite Wholesale Distribution Center located at 2674 Vassar Ave. in Merced, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. The Save Mart Companies announced the planned closure of the facility in September. By Andrew Kuhn

NO. 6: SAVE MART COMPANIES SHUTS DOWN DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN MERCED COUNTY. OVER 200 WORKERS AFFECTED

The Save Mart Companies operates 79 stores under the Save Mart name. | Published December 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Andrew Kuhn

New employees participate in training in preparation for Monday’s grand opening at Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers restaurant in Modesto, Calif., Friday, Dec. 16, 2022.

NO. 7: NEW RESTAURANT TO OPEN AT MARKETPLACE AT MERCED. THE CHAIN SPECIALIZES IN CHICKEN FINGERS

The fast food eatery will replace the shuttered Big Lots at 665 Fairfield Dr., mall owners announced. | Published January 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alma Villegas

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.