New national chain stores opening in Fresno’s River Park, including J. Crew, Nike, more
Three national chain stores are open or about to be in Fresno’s River Park.
The popular Blackstone Avenue shopping center in north Fresno has been undergoing a series of changes in recent months. Last year, The Bee told you about one of its two Starbucks closing, along with Brooks Burgers.
The burger restaurant is being transformed into a sushi and Asian eatery, by the same local owner as River Park’s J Pot Mini Hot Pot & Bar and Spicy J’s Chinese restaurant.
The IMAX was moved into the newly remodeled Regal Cinemas. Work is happening on the space it left behind, which will become a Kids Empire indoor playground.
While that work could take a while, three new stores — Torrid, J. Crew Factory and Nike — are opening soon, if not already open. Here’s a look at what happens next.
J.Crew Factory
J.Crew Factory opens at 10 a.m. Thursday in the former Sur La Table kitchen store near REI.
It’s a lower-priced version of the traditional J. Crew.
Fresno had a regular J. Crew store in Fig Garden Village until it closed in 2019, along with several other J. Crew stores nationwide.
J. Crew Factory sells clothes for lower prices than J. Crew.
But it’s not a outlet store and does not sell items that go unsold at J. Crew stores, noted Tracy Kashian, senior vice president of marketing and public relations for Lance-Kashian & Co., the company that owns River Park. Instead, it sells clothing for men, women and children that is specifically made for J. Crew Factory stores.
“It’s exclusive styles for their store, definitely not hand-me-downs from any of the other stores,” she said.
It specializes in colorful, classic styles, including jeans and basic tops. Sweaters for men and women online range from $39.99 to $102. Some women’s and children’s tops sell for as low as $9.95.
The store also carries basic blue and white tops and bottoms that make up private school uniforms.
The grand opening will feature surprise offers. The store also offers discounts to teachers, college students, healthcare workers, first responders and military personnel.
Torrid
Torrid is a trendy plus-size women’s clothing store that opened Tuesday.
It carries modern clothing, activewear, swimwear in sizes 10 to 30, along with jewelry and shoes. It has a location in Fashion Fair mall.
The 3,050-square-foot River Park location is near Ann Taylor LOFT. It moved into the space local stores Pum Bum Society and jewelry store JULIA used to occupy. Those stores have moved a few doors down into the former Yoshino Japanese Restaurant spot.
Torrid will celebrate its grand opening at 10 a.m. Saturday. The first 25 customers in line will get a gift card valued at up to $100. The event will host more giveaways, raffles, food and other events.
Nike
The large gray building where Romano’s Macaroni Grill Italian Restaurant used to stand is one of the most anticipated stores in Fresno. It will be a Nike store.
The 14,000-square-foot athletic department store is getting close to opening, and will likely open in mid-February, Kashian said.
It’s on the northeast corner of Blackstone and El Paso avenues. Nike did not immediately return a message from The Bee seeking comment or an opening date.
It will not be an outlet store.
