Delano, CA - Not one, but two new shoppers centers are coming to Delano. City officials say the centers will boost the local economy by keeping shoppers in Delano.
"It's really convenient. It's a really good idea. I'm actually excited, you know, with all these new stores that are coming in. It's going to make things better," said Timothy Reveles, who is looking forward for the new Delano Marketplace.
Delano city officials say the new marketplace on Woollomes Avenue, west of Highway 99, will create more than 600 jobs and put a dent in Delano's 32 percent unemployment rate.
"The need for these kinds of jobs was almost an urgency because Delano is an agricultural job area. So seasonal families, there are times throughout the year that they don't have that income. So as a council, we're striving to balance the seasonal work with permanent year-round work," said Delano Mayor Grace Vallejo.
The entire shopping center is 45 acres.The Walmart takes up about 43 percent of the site. Other stores expected to fill up the spaces include Ross, Big 5, Famous Footwear, Marshalls and Petco.
The developer, YK American Group, is also working on another shopping center northwest of the marketplace called the Grapevine.
Construction officials say it will be more of a lifestyle center.
"So you're going to have more of a local 'mom and pop' stores. We're trying to create more of a culture environment where you have, it's more pedestrian friendly, sit down areas and outer patio seatings," said construction manager, Martin Hsu.
"Delano was a diamond in the rough and actually see that shine coming through of that diamond, and I think in a few more years that diamond will be right out there shining and that will be Delano," said Vallejo.
"It's really convenient. It's a really good idea. I'm actually excited, you know, with all these new stores that are coming in. It's going to make things better," said Timothy Reveles, who is looking forward for the new Delano Marketplace.
Delano city officials say the new marketplace on Woollomes Avenue, west of Highway 99, will create more than 600 jobs and put a dent in Delano's 32 percent unemployment rate.
"The need for these kinds of jobs was almost an urgency because Delano is an agricultural job area. So seasonal families, there are times throughout the year that they don't have that income. So as a council, we're striving to balance the seasonal work with permanent year-round work," said Delano Mayor Grace Vallejo.
The entire shopping center is 45 acres.The Walmart takes up about 43 percent of the site. Other stores expected to fill up the spaces include Ross, Big 5, Famous Footwear, Marshalls and Petco.
The developer, YK American Group, is also working on another shopping center northwest of the marketplace called the Grapevine.
Construction officials say it will be more of a lifestyle center.
"So you're going to have more of a local 'mom and pop' stores. We're trying to create more of a culture environment where you have, it's more pedestrian friendly, sit down areas and outer patio seatings," said construction manager, Martin Hsu.
"Delano was a diamond in the rough and actually see that shine coming through of that diamond, and I think in a few more years that diamond will be right out there shining and that will be Delano," said Vallejo.