So what\u2019s happening with those stores?<\/p>\n
Some have new renters that haven\u2019t moved in yet. Keep reading to find out who \u2014 including a new business that wants to move into the Rite Aid on the edge of the Tower District.<\/p>\n
Some are in the final stages of negotiating with renters or new buyers.<\/p>\n
And some are still sitting empty.<\/p>\n
These buildings are challenging to fill. Despite being in prime locations on busy corners, they are an odd size and shape, said Russ Moroz, managing director of investments for commercial real estate investment brokerage Marcus & Millichap<\/a>, which does business in Fresno.<\/p>\n They\u2019re too big for fast food or other restaurants. Too small for regular grocery stores or big retail chains. Too short for the growing trend of kids indoor play centers<\/a>, and usually lack the loading dock needed for showrooms selling kitchen tile or other home building supplies, he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is just an odd size in retail,\u201d Moroz said. \u201cIt\u2019s too small for your national-type tenants, and it\u2019s too large for your service tenants.\u201d<\/p>\n Most range from 10,000 and 16,000 square feet.<\/p>\n Usually, the drugstores didn\u2019t own the buildings when they closed. Landlords were unexpectedly left with empty buildings, and without the high rents that the pharmacies paid. Other users usually can only afford much lower rents, Moroz said.<\/p>\n Ted Fellner and Gilbert Lara, who are senior vice presidents and partners at real estate firm Colliers<\/a> in central California, have handled leasing or selling at least 14 former pharmacy spaces.<\/p>\n Who wants these buildings in Fresno?<\/p>\n Medical uses are popular, including walk-in clinics and dialysis places, Fellner said. For example, Family HealthCare Network\u2019s walk-in clinic took over the former Walgreens at Clinton and West in 2022.<\/p>\n Dollar stores have taken over a few.<\/p>\n Hispanic markets and international markets are also opening in the vacant pharmacies, he said.<\/p>\n Sometimes, the buildings are subdivided because the drive-thrus are highly sought after, Moroz said. That comes with its own set of challenges because the stores only have one entrance, he added.<\/p>\n An unnamed pharmacy is slated to return to the Rite Aid at 1101 Fresno St. in downtown Fresno, taking over the drive-thru and a small portion of the interior, Fellner said. The rest of the building is up for lease.<\/p>\n In northwest Fresno, Jason Beard, owner of JB Fitness in Clovis, bought the former Walgreens at Herndon and West avenues. He is in the process of divvying it up into two parts. A gym will take over the bulk of the building and a seller of healthy drinks and food will take over the drive-thru, also serving customers inside the gym.<\/p>\n Other common renters Moroz said he could envision taking over pharmacies in Fresno include churches, gyms, and laser tag or arcades.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething that can benefit from drive-by traffic,\u201d he said. \u201cEntertainment-type uses would be great for Fresno.\u201d<\/p>\n Who\u2019s moving into these Fresno drugstores?<\/p>\n Rite Aid, Olive and Blackstone avenues: The business owners aren\u2019t ready to talk, but a notice from the City of Fresno was mailed to neighbors about plans to turn it into a \u201cgeneral market\u201d selling groceries and fresh produce, with a full-service butcher and a kitchen for prepared to-go food. The permit is needed because the owners are applying for a liquor license to sell beer and wine for at-home consumption.<\/p>\n Rite Aid, Maple and Copper avenues: The existing owner confirmed the building is in escrow and being sold to a new owner. He declined to say who is buying it or what they would use it for.<\/p>\n Rite Aid, Shaw and West avenues: The building was recently sold, and the property management company confirmed that a gym called Fitsi<\/a> is planning to open in the location. Fitsi has a location in Escondido that features weightlifting, cardio machines, a sauna, cold plunge and a red-light therapy pod.<\/p>\n Rite Aid, Fresno and B streets downtown: The drive-thru and a small portion of the pharmacy have been leased to another unnamed pharmacy, Fellner said. The rest of the building is up for lease.<\/p>\n Rite Aid, Shields and Brawley avenues: Bestco Price Discount has opened in the former drugstore, a multicultural market selling discounted cosmetics, party supplies, toys and goods for Hispanic and Islamic holidays.<\/p>\n Rite Aid, Shields and Cedar avenues: This will be a medical facility, such as a clinic or urgent care, said Fellner, though he declined to name the organization.<\/p>\n Rite Aid, Cedar and Nees avenues: A Dollar Tree opened on the site less than a year ago.<\/p>\n Rite Aid, Willow and Nees avenues: Grocery Outlet opened a location here last summer<\/a>, a move from an older location at Blackstone and Ashlan avenues.<\/p>\n Rite Aid, Cedar and Gettysburg avenues: Listed for lease.<\/p>\n Rite Aid, Kerman: United Health Centers has purchased the building and is still in the planning stages of taking it over.<\/p>\n Walgreens, Herndon and West avenues: The owner of JB Fitness<\/a> in Clovis bought the building and is subdividing it into two. A gym with weights and cardio equipment will take up the majority of the space, along with recovery amenities for athletes, including a hyperbaric chamber, a cold plunge pool, infrared sauna, red-light therapy, and space for a nurse to perform IV therapy.<\/p>\n Tulare-based Immunity Labs<\/a> will use the drive-thru and a part of the inside of the building to sell protein shakes, protein coffee and healthy food.<\/p>\n Walgreens, Clinton and West: Family HealthCare Network\u2019s walk-in clinic opened in 2022.<\/p>\n Walgreens, Blackstone and Clinton: Listed for lease<\/a>.<\/p>\n Walgreens, First Street and Bullard Avenue: Listed for lease, with several offers already, according to Fellner.<\/p>\n CVS, Fulton and Tuolumne: The CVS closed in 2022. Since then, the Fresno Housing Authority bought the property, with plans to build affordable housing.<\/p>\n CVS, Clinton and Brawley: The building has been purchased by Family HealthCare Network.<\/p>\n This story was originally published October 20, 2026 at 10:06 AM.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Fresno Bee<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/FRS_EPZ_GROCERY_OUTLET_02.jpeg\" "\\"FRS_EPZ_GROCERY_OUTLET_02\\"")
The new Grocery Outlet located at Nees and Willow avenues, shown Tuesday, July 15, 2025 in Fresno. The store opened in a former Rite Aid. ERIC PAUL ZAMORA ezamora@fresnobee.com Bethany Clough bclough@fresnobee.com <\/p>\n
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