Turlock's economy sees new ventures and closures

Five new ventures and closures mark changes in the economic landscape of Merced. Common themes in the articles include business adaptations, closures due to financial stress or opportunity, and community-focused initiatives.

Rite Aid plans to shut one of its stores in the Merced area due to a second bankruptcy filing. The company assures uninterrupted pharmacy services for its customers by coordinating with other drugstores like CVS and Walgreens. Meanwhile, the Taste of Little India restaurant will close after 23 years because the landlord terminated its lease. Despite the closure, the owner plans to reopen elsewhere, emphasizing his commitment to the community. In positive news, Merced Valley Food opened to address community needs by providing a family-oriented shopping experience. Unlike others, it refrains from selling alcohol and tobacco, focusing on fresh produce and ethnic foods. Another significant development is a project to build 58 housing units for homeless people in Merced, funded by California's Project Homekey. The initiative aims to provide affordable housing while serving the local homeless population, including veterans. Lastly, a new Indian restaurant, Tandoor Table, will occupy the former site of Taste of Little India, continuing to enrich Merced's dining diversity with a menu promising traditional Indian flavors.

Taste of Little India located at 1052 W. Main Street in Merced, Calif., on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Restaurant owner Parm Samra said he was informed that the building has changed ownership and his lease has been terminated. The restaurant will close on April 11. By Andrew Kuhn

NO. 1: MERCED’S TASTE OF LITTLE INDIA RESTAURANT TO CLOSE AFTER 23 YEARS OF BUSINESS

Owner Parm Samra has been in business for nearly 30 years, working to make Indian food mainstream in the Merced area. | Published April 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Andrew Kuhn

A groundbreaking ceremony for a project funded by California’s Homekey program at 125 E. 13th Street in Merced, Calif, on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Image courtesy of Micah Diele.

NO. 2: PROJECT TO BUILD MORE THAN 50 UNITS OF HOUSING FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE IN MERCED

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday to kick off the project. | Published April 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Andrew Kuhn

Merced Valley Food located at 1640 Yosemite Parkway inside the Merced Plaza in Merced, Calif., on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. By Andrew Kuhn

NO. 3: MERCED GROCERY STORE OPENS FOCUSING ON COMMUNITY NEEDS, FAMILY FRIENDLY SERVICE

The store opened to the public on May 1. | Published June 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Andrew Kuhn

Rite Aid says it plans to keep its 1,350 stores in 15 states open despite filing for bankruptcy again. By John Angelillo

NO. 4: RITE AID IS CLOSING MERCED-AREA STORE. WHEN, WHERE & WHAT HAPPENS TO PRESCRIPTIONS

The struggling pharmacy chain plans to shut down more than 470 stores across the United States. | Published June 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Fernanda Galan

NO. 5: NEW RESTAURANT TO SERVE AUTHENTIC INDIAN CUISINE IN MERCED. HERE’S WHEN AND WHERE

The restaurant will take over the former location of Taste of Little India. | Published June 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez

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.