New Mall Era Emerges With Grand Openings

Mercedians have been patiently awaiting significant retail progress in and around the old Merced Mall site, and they were finally rewarded last weekend with two big grand openings, and word that there’s more to come. 

The much-anticipated opening of the Burlington department store happened on the early morning of Oct. 10, in the new “Shoppes@Merced” building (formally Sears). That was followed up the next day with the Shoe Palace opening its doors for the first time inside the “Marketplace at Merced.”

“We’re in our new mall era at Marketplace at Merced,” said Nanette Villegas, the marketing manager for the shopping center. “With back-to-back grand openings, and our main entrance exterior almost completed, things are shaping up to deliver a holiday shopping experience like never before. The momentum is strong and this is only the beginning. The future is bright for both the center and our Merced community.”

This sentiment was also shared among a great deal of locals who showed up to experience the excitement.  

One eager resident named Janie shared, “It was great to see the parking lot so full. It’s wonderful to see the mall looking more modern with new stores.” 

Another Mercedian exclaimed, “That’s the most cars the mall has had at one time in 30 years!”

Sarah Boyle, the city’s mayor pro tem, was among several local officials who showed up to welcome the stores and celebrate good times ahead.

“It’s been years since we’ve seen this area so full of life, and it’s incredible to witness the momentum building again,” Boyle told the Times. “Burlington’s grand opening was just the start. With Petco, Five Below, Ulta, and Rack Room Shoes on the way, The Shoppes are finally getting the heartbeat back that was missing for so long. These new stores give residents more shopping options right here in Merced, and I’m hopeful this renewed energy will continue to attract even more retailers to invest in our community.”

Later, Merced Mayor Matt Serratto chimed in on Facebook: “Very exciting to see tangible progress at the mall. Our town has been waiting for this for a long time!”

Also this week, there was the soft opening of Boot Barn at the Marketplace, another new retailer for local shoppers. An official grand opening for the western wear retailer is expected to take place in November. 

Next up would be the trendy Five Below store to open soon at the Shoppes site.

A parking lot filled to capacity can be seen in front of the new Burlington department store on Opening Day.

A map of how the stores are shaping up for the growing Shoppes@Merced and the Marketplace at Merced.

The Shoe Palace’s Oshua Saechao (store manager), Jasmin Moradel (captain), and Ryan Ashby (store manager) were excited to see the doors finally open.