Local

6 new openings and closures shaping local businesses in 2025

Stories by Modesto Bee journalists, with AI summarization

The business climate in the Modesto area illustrates both growth and attrition as openings and closures reshape the local marketplace.

New ventures, like the gourmet-focused Vallarta Supermarkets and health-conscious Pokemoto, highlight an evolving consumer interest in specialty food and beverages. Meanwhile, long-standing establishments such as Marcy’s Hallmark are closing, reflecting challenges faced by traditional retail in a competitive environment.

Corporate downsizing, as seen with Forever 21, signals shifts in national retail trends impacting local livelihoods. These changes underscore the complexity of sustaining entrepreneurship while adapting to changing consumer habits and economic pressures.

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

Guests look at the candy section inside the new Vallarta Supermarkets store during a vendor preview in Modesto, Tuesday, Feb. 4 , 2025. By Andy Alfaro

NO. 1: WHAT DOES MODESTO’S NEWEST GROCERY STORE OFFER? TAKE A LOOK INSIDE THE PELANDALE SPACE

The store brought over 200 new jobs to Modesto. | Published February 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Dominique Williams

The Forever 21 in the Vintage Faire Mall pictured Oct. 2, 2019 in Modesto, Calif. By Maria Figueroa

NO. 2: FOREVER 21 EXPECTED TO FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY AGAIN. IS TURLOCK STORE AMONG THE CLOSURES?

The company will attempt to find a buyer for its remaining U.S. stores. | Published February 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Dominique Williams

Marcy’s Hallmark Shop owner Norm VanHorne’s inventory includes thousands of greeting cards at the gift store in McHenry Village in Modesto, Thursday, March, 20, 2025. The longtime store is closing. By Andy Alfaro

NO. 3: DECLINE IN SALES CAUSES MODESTO STORE OWNER, 88, TO CLOSE ‘GOOD BUSINESS’ IN MCHENRY VILLAGE

Business was booming back during the Beanie Babies craze. | Published March 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Dominique Williams

Slides restaurant and lounge on 10th Street in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, June 26, 2024. By Andy Alfaro

NO. 4: DOWNTOWN MODESTO RESTAURANT CLOSES 6 MONTHS AFTER ITS GRAND OPENING. WHAT HAPPENED?

The building has switched hands three times in less than two years. | Published March 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Dominique Williams

Co-owner Navjot Kaur makes a poke bowl at the new Pokémoto Hawaiian Poké restaurant in Village One Plaza in Modesto, Friday, March 28, 2025. By Andy Alfaro

NO. 5: MODESTO’S VILLAGE ONE HAS A NEW SPOT FOR POKE AND BOBA. TAKE A LOOK INSIDE

“People have been coming in and trying this instead of something fried or with oil.” — Navjot Kaur | Published April 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Maria Luisa Figueroa

The exterior of a Chick-fil-A fast food restaurant. By Courtesy of Chick-fil-A

NO. 6: NEW CHICK-FIL-A IS OPENING LESS THAN A HALF-HOUR FROM MODESTO. WHEN AND WHERE?

It’s the city’s second Chick-fil-A location. | Published April 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sarah Linn

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.