The former Office Depot at 5705 N. Blackstone Ave. in Fresno has been acquired by Blackstone Chevrolet to expand its used-car inventory. Photo by Ben Hensley

Blackstone Chevrolet is tripling its used-car inventory in Fresno with a 300-vehicle lot opening next door in the former Office Depot space.

The Office Depot lot that’s sat empty on Blackstone Avenue since 2021 fulfills a goal set by the dealership in the place it’s been for about 40 years.

Office Depot closed as part of a company-wide downsizing.

Blackstone Chevrolet General Manager Arthur Markarian said the dealership had always wanted to expand, but in the past, had been limited on space.

With the lot opening nearby, they saw the opportunity to acquire the full building and parking lot in 2024.

“We wanted to bring something different to the community,” he said. “There are a lot of independent stores up and down Blackstone, but not a lot of mega centers, so we decided to pick up the lot next door and we have brought in somewhere around 300 used vehicles.”

The lot will be home to the expanded used-car center, which will offer vehicles of all makes and models certified by GM mechanics. The lot will also be home to the dealership’s future mega fleet center and wholesale operations, with around 40,000 square-feet of auto parts space that can be distributed up and down the state.

The lot underwent a major renovation with the installation of new lights, resurfacing and landscaping. The former Office Depot building has also undergone a full interior renovation.

“I have about $300,000 of equipment going into that building to be able to cater to the commercial customers so we can repair and maintain vehicles,” he said.

Markarian said the addition of 300 cars will build on their previous used-car inventory, which usually saw around 140 units available at full capacity.

“At this point we’re trying to figure out how to get every make and model,” he said. “I want to have luxury, I want to have hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, inexpensive vehicles…there’s a lot of time and effort put into it to be able to have the right vehicles.”

The expansion at the dealership will celebrate its grand opening on Dec. 6.