Fresno real estate spat’s solution was in the works. Then one party’s demise

Despite the discount retailer’s role in the delay of a Fresno County library branch’s relocation, the upcoming closure of all 99 Cents Only Store locations has little bearing on the outcome.

When the Rite Aid at 6074 N. First St. near Bullard Avenue closed its doors in 2022, the Leo Politi library branch, located across the street at 5771 N. First St. had hoped to smoothly transition into the space. At 17,000 square feet, it would more than triple the size of the small branch.

During the Fresno County Public Library’s inquiry into the space however, it was discovered that tenants already in the shopping center had the power to restrict non-commercial uses on the property with a single “nay” vote.

That lone vote came from the 99 Cents Only Store, which initially denied the approval on the grounds of parking, then stipulated the entrance of the library branch would need to be moved to the backside of the building — in an alleyway that separates the shopping center from nearby Ahwahnee Middle School.

That initial dispute, however, was settled, according to Susan Renfro, Fresno County Public Library marketing and community relations officer. The county’s leasing office is still reviewing the viability of the move for the library branch.

“After that happened it did get the attention of the 99 Cents Only Store,” she said. “From what I understand, a representative from that store was in contact with the County Leasing Office…They started discussion and kind of worked things through and it sounds like they were able to figure out a way to work together and make it so we could move in there.”

Renfro said the closure of the 99 Cents Only Stores was a moot point after negotiations between the leasing office and the store owner.

“Once we kind of identify something it takes a while in government land for things to [be pushed] through,” Renfro said. “It’s so important that we’re good stewards of tax funds, so it goes through a long process to make sure that the lease is something viable for the county and for our residents.”

Renfro said that, as of right now, there is no estimated date for when the library may relocate, but that she hopes to hear from the county’s leasing office.

This year, the Leo Politi library branch will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Despite it only boasting around 5,000 square feet of space, the library has the fifth-largest circulation of the 34 branches, according to Janet Claassen, a member of Friends of the Politi Library, a community group that supports the library branch

Nearly a dozen Central Valley 99 Cents Only Stores are closing as part of a surprise announcement last week that the Los Angeles-based chain is winding down operations.

Altogether the chain has 371 stores in California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada.

Liquidations are reportedly ongoing at ten local stores, including one each in Madera, Clovis, Sanger, Visalia, Hanford and Porterville. Fresno has five locations.