Several businesses have recently opened in Modesto, but many storefronts in the city remain vacant. This issue was brought to light through Bee Curious, a series by The Modesto Bee where journalists answer reader questions about the region.
Jessica Hill, director of community and economic development for Modesto, said that vacancies are still common throughout the city. While an exact number of empty storefronts was not provided, Hill noted several well-known properties that continue to sit unused. “Vacancies are very fluid,” Hill said. “We have our longstanding ones, such as 1625 McHenry and 2800 Sisk.”
The building at 1625 McHenry Avenue previously housed a Longs Drugs store until it closed in 2010 after CVS Pharmacy acquired the chain. Employees were transferred to another CVS location nearby, leaving the original site empty for more than ten years. U-Haul later occupied both this building and another long-vacant property on Sisk Road that once held a Toys R Us store, but has since vacated both locations. As of December 9th, both properties were again unoccupied.
Another notable vacancy is at 2800 Sisk Road, which formerly hosted Orchard Supply Hardware before its closure in 2018. Ace Hardware subsequently moved into this space but has also since closed; as of Tuesday, the property remained listed as available on commercial real estate website LoopNet.
“We all know those key (empty buildings) in Modesto,” Hill said. “Other buildings come and go quickly.” She explained that there are multiple reasons why buildings remain vacant: sometimes owners set prices above market value or show little interest in selling or leasing; other times zoning restrictions prevent certain types of businesses from moving in. “Each building is a little bit unique,” she added.
Hill stated that when city officials learn about an empty building, they can reach out to property owners and offer resources. Under Modesto’s vacant building ordinance—Municipal Code Section 9-9.606—owners must register their empty properties with the Planning Division within sixty days of vacancy and submit maintenance and security plans along with providing round-the-clock contact information while keeping the premises maintained.
“We’re constantly driving by properties we know are vacant,” Hill said. “We also check on buildings that are for lease to make sure they’re being properly maintained.”
To address these vacancies further, Modesto offers two loan programs: one supports small businesses while another assists with improvements to storefront facades. “The city used (American Rescue Plan Action) funding to basically offer a financial resource to businesses that are looking to expand or improve the facade of their current storefront,” Hill said.
The community and economic development team also works actively to connect vacant sites with potential tenants by introducing themselves and offering matchmaking services between property owners and interested new businesses aiming to establish themselves locally. “They essentially introduce themselves and offer to help with matchmaking different entities or new businesses that want to come to Modesto and help fill their storefronts,” Hill said. “We want to continue to expand on our footprint to the community.”
This approach includes efforts focused on business retention, attraction, and expansion aimed at strengthening Modesto’s commercial environment.
