Image via Starbucks

Southwest Fresno is set for its first Starbucks location in 2024 — one of several new stores planned in the Fresno area by the Seattle-based coffee giant.

A social media video from Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer yesterday afternoon featured Dyer and Saint Rest Baptist Church Pastor DJ Criner sharing the news.

“I’m happy to announce that the first Starbucks in Southwest Fresno (and the first “Community Store” in all of Fresno) will open in 2024 at the corner of MLK Jr. Boulevard and Church Avenue!” according to a Tweet.

Southwest Fresno, you’ve waited long enough. ☕️

I’m happy to announce that the first Starbucks in Southwest Fresno (and the first “Community Store” in all of Fresno) will open in 2024 at the corner of MLK Jr. Boulevard and Church Avenue! pic.twitter.com/Fg36Do39HD

— Mayor Jerry Dyer (@MayorJerryDyer) January 26, 2023

Last year Starbucks committed to opening 1,000 so-called Starbucks Community Stores across the globe by 2030. The stores “provide intentional and dedicated programming and experiences that support economic opportunity in communities,” according to a Starbucks news release. There were about 150 such stores around the world in March 2022 “led by partners who directly connect to the initiative or cause of that store.”

Such stores focus on creating economic opportunity through local hiring, providing dedicated community event space and partnering with local artists and diverse contractors and subcontractors, according to the release.

Southwest Fresno community members have long called for such economic opportunities in their neighborhoods.

“You remember about a year ago when you said, ‘If we could just get a Starbucks in Southwest Fresno, we will have made it?’” the mayor asks Criner, as he hands him a Starbucks cup.

The video ends with Criner raising his cup smiling and saying, “Southwest drinks coffee too.”

Along with the future store in Southwest Fresno, River Park also saw its original Starbucks location reopen Thursday after closing in 2020. The store added a drive-thru and patio seating.

According to a news release from River Park, Starbucks is prioritizing drive-thrus at many locations, noting that 90% of sales are conducted at drive-thru windows.

The press release added that the Starbucks located next to an AT&T store closed to transfer existing equipment and signage to the remodeled location and will not reopen.

Starbucks appears to be expanding its footprint in the Fresno area in the coming years, with no fewer than six locations under development and listed on the city’s planning website.

A Starbucks location on Bullard Avenue and First Street is nearing completion. 

Applications for conditional use permits have been filed with the city for new locations on both Tulare Street and the corner of Chestnut and Olive avenues.

Starbucks has also applied for permits at 5641 N. Figarden Dr. near Bullard Avenue as well as for a location at Kings Canyon and Chestnut avenues, proposing the demolition of a former Good Guys Tire building to be replaced by a freestanding Starbucks drive-thru and walk-up store.

Starbucks did not respond to comment on the status of any potential future locations.