Sprouts Farmers Market, Nordstrom Rack coming to Sequoia Mall
The Sequoia Mall is getting some major upgrades.
Clothing retailer Nordstrom Rack and Sprouts Farmers Market will be located next to each other, near the intersection of Mooney Boulevard and Caldwell Avenue. Sprouts will be located in the former Sears building with Nordstrom Rack close by.
Nordstrom Rack could push Spirit Halloween store each fall as the staple holiday store has taken over the old Borders Books for years. Ross, which moved north on Mooney Boulevard, remains empty. However, rumors swirl that Barnes and Noble is looking to fill space at the aging mall, looking to revive it.
“We are excited to announce Nordstrom Rack and Sprouts Farmers Market will be opening in the Sequoia Mall,” developer Dave Paynter said in a Sierra2theSea article published Wednesday. “They will surely be a welcomed addition to the Visalia community.”
Sierra2the Sea is run by John Lindt, a former Visalia Times-Delta freelancer business writer.
Sequoia Mall is owned by Caldwell-Mooney Partners LLP and managed by Paynter Realty and Investments, Inc. The parties have worked to bring attention and business to the dying mall for decades as Regal Theaters and small businesses inside push for revitalization.
The additions of Sprouts Farmers Market and Nordstrom Rack are a part of the first stages of redevelopment the mall will see, and construction is already underway.
“It’s exciting to see the revitalization of the Sequoia Mall after so many years,” Visalia Councilwoman Liz Wynn said. “I hope this is just the first phase in the rehabilitation of this prime piece of property on our retail corridor.”
Sprouts Farmers Market is a much-welcomed addition as Visalia community members have voiced their desire for more food markets – like Trader Joe’s and Aldi – to open shop in Visalia for years.
Sprouts Farmers Market has more than 130 locations throughout California; however, the Visalia location marks the first to open in Tulare County.
Visalia marks Nordstrom Rack's 80th California location, offering customers brand-name clothes, shoes and accessories at a discount price.
The Sequoia Mall – home to businesses like Bed Bath and Beyond, Marshall’s and Hobby Lobby – will also welcome Sola Salon to its directory.
“The new retailers create ‘great momentum’ for more new leases to be announced,” Paynter Company Executive Vice President Jim Sanders said.
Paynter also recently filed plans for a new store to the north of Nordstrom Rack, though the tenant has not been disclosed.
The company owns several other centers in Visalia and around the Valley, including Park Place Promenade, Gateway Plaza and Mooney Plaza.
Businesses continue to pop up throughout these areas, including Raising Cane's, a fast food joint that opened up shop in September 2021 near the Sequoia Mall. Cathy Albyn, area leader of marketing for the restaurant, said the eatery "will love having new neighbors."
Paynter insinuated the Nordstrom Rack and Sprouts announcement is just the beginning, with “many more businesses” to be announced soon.
"The life long Visalian... in me is so friggin stoked about this..." said April Treona Lancaster, who frequents the Saturday Farmer's Market. "The shock of what this means for market has worn off and I realize how flipping cool this is for our community."
Lauren Jennings is a reporter for the Visalia Times-Delta/Tulare Advance-Register. Follow her on Twitter @lolojennings. Get alerts and keep up on all things Tulare County for as little as $1 a month. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Sprouts Farmers Market, Nordstrom Rack coming to Sequoia Mall
