New businesses are making their way to Fresno’s Campus Pointe.
On April 2, Mochinut hosted its grand opening celebration at the first location in the Fresno and Clovis area.
Mochinut takes the name from its popular mochi donuts, which originated in Hawaii. It is a combination of American donuts and Japanese mochi.
“It has this really airy, kind of crispy texture on the outside, and really kind of stringy elastic interior, and it’s delicious,” said David Palecek, owner of Mochinut.
The eatery also specializes in Korean corn dogs and bubble tea drinks.
It was no secret how much people anticipated the first Mochinut location in Fresno.
“I’ve been wanting them to open since October, so literally every month I’ve been waiting,” said Victoria Soares, an attendee of the grand opening.
The line of customers, some of whom were holding umbrellas to block the beating sun, stretched all along one side of the building.
Due to the overwhelming support, Mochinut is looking for more employees and is currently hiring for the Campus Pointe location.
“I think it’s a fun food. I think it’s something different and kind of exciting,” Palecek said. “It’s taken us a long time to bring it to the market here in Fresno, so I think it’s something that was kind of lacking.”
Campus Pointe has also seen other businesses pop up in the shopping center recently.
Wayside Noodles hosted its soft-opening last weekend.
As a Central Valley grown, family owned restaurant that sells Vietnamese fusion food, this will be its second location.
“Fresno’s growing their small businesses. We love it,” said Lauryn Fifer, a soon-to-be Fresno State transfer student.
Although there is no set anticipated opening date, the signage of Lee’s Sandwiches is set up at one of the storefronts in the shopping center. It specializes in Vietnamese banh mi and Euro-style sandwiches.
The shopping center is located just across the street from the Fresno State campus, and is not only home to restaurants, but offers a place for students to relax or work on assignments.
One of its newest additions, the Kennel Marketplace, offers a large selection of Fresno State gear and is also home to a Starbucks, which is located in the northwest corner of the building. The cafe has a quiet seating area where students can study or catch up on schoolwork.
It seems that people are keeping a close eye on the new businesses that are filling up the spaces at Campus Pointe and eagerly anticipating new ones.
“We need to fill up all these little open slots, because I’m here for it,” Sambria Morgan, a Fresno State student, said.
Campus Pointe is located on the corner of Chestnut and Shaw avenues near the Palazzo apartment complex.