Chloe Cardoza has been busy promoting the opening of her second Hummus Republic location in Fresno — next door to The Artist Tree cannabis dispensary. Photo contributed

Talk about luck.

When Chloe Cardoza was scouting locations for a second Hummus Republic location, she had no idea she was signing a lease for a spot next to what would become one of the hottest businesses in Fresno.

Hummus Republic, part of a national franchise chain, opened at 7835 N. Palm Ave. Suite 101 last month.

And what business is in Suite 103?

The Artist Tree, one of only two cannabis dispensaries currently operating in Fresno.

 

With a GB3 gym also nearby in the Park Place shopping center, it’s hard to ask for better or hungrier foot traffic for Hummus Republic’s fast-casual Mediterranean food — with a specialty in customizable bowls.

“I think it’s great,” Cardoza said about being located next to a cannabis shop. “Everyone can get a bowl from them and then come over and get a bowl from us.”

Finding enough staff was a challenge for Cardoza, who opened her first Hummus Republic location in Downtown Fresno in March 2021. Having trained team members from the downtown location definitely helped.

Cardoza brought the Southern California-based Franchise to Fresno. There’s also a location in Visalia. All together, there are 15 locations in the U.S. — and eight in California.