New restaurants and stores in South Nevada

The 96 acre site is undergoing a complete facelift, thanks primarily, to the efforts of one man to drag the area kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

Run down and dangerous

American businessman, Walt Harder, returned to South Nevada in 2014, having spent many years away running his businesses in Salida. As Harder grew up around the South Nevada Avenue area of town during the 1970s/80s, he remembers it as a run-down area to be avoided. An area of drug dealers, robberies and prostitution, an area where nobody ventured at night, and nobody wanted to visit during the day. Sadly, on his return, he found nothing had changed. It still remained a blight on the surrounding area.

Razed to the ground

By 2016, new plans were put in place to buy up existing properties and relocate the existing businesses. Harder’s company has a package of 3.6 acres on the western edge of South Nevada, and after the whole area was levelled, it was split into two retail packages of 15,000 square feet, and 9,800 square feet. By 2018, new shops and stores were beginning to appear, with some tenants taking up residence in late 2017. Although still a work in progress, the revamped area is already beginning to develop into an area where savvy entrepreneurs and existing businessmen want to be.

Local niche businesses and high-end restaurants can live together

With company names already on many of the new stores and shops, the future is looking bright for South Nevada Avenue. Natural Grocers, and Zöes Kitchen, have already been trading for over twelve months. Restaurant Chic-fil-A and Five Guys burger restaurant have taken residence. For those who prefer a more casual style of dining, restaurants Smashburger and Tokyo Joe’s are also established. Plans are also in the pipeline for a large 60,000 square feet shopping mall, with plans to incorporate a further six to eight quality restaurants. With a new Dunkin’ Doughnuts project underway close by, and plans to lure more local shops, stores and restaurants to the area, things are looking extremely profitable for new businesses in the South Nevada Avenue area.