There’s a lot happening in Fresno right now, and I’m here for all of it. From a second location of a local favorite to a tiki bar I never saw coming, here are 5 local businesses I’m especially excited about.
1. Otherside Café
Otherside Café is opening a second location in northwest Fresno! I love Otherside’s delicious, healthy lunch options, and I know their breakfast burrito is a local favorite for many, as well as their house-made baked goods and donuts. Their soups are the unsung heroes of the menu (the butternut squash one is exceptional – it made me realize I like butternut squash, and I’ve tried it in other things since), and their coffee and tea drinks are unique and offer something for everyone. They are officially working on the demo and remodel of a freestanding building that was once a bank, directly north of Fig Garden Village on Shaw and San Jose, and expect to open later next year. Otherside Café is part of the Dying Breed Hospitality restaurant group behind other beloved spots including Heirloom, Saizon, Butterfish, Mayd Modern, and The Limelite.
2. This & That Fresno
This & That Fresno is a brand-new curated vintage and secondhand shop opening on Echo Ave between Kuppa Joy and Moto Deli. The shop is currently being set up, and the owners are hard at work stocking it, expecting to open their doors as early as November, just in time for holiday shopping for the vintage lovers in your life! They are also planning to host community events and have begun teasing their first one, which will be free to attend, on their Instagram. Follow them for more updates!
3. H2H Thrift
Speaking of secondhand goods, H2H Thrift just held its grand opening on Blackstone and Olive, and I’m really excited to check this curated thrift store out. I love secondhand stores that take the time to sift through goods to offer quality items at reasonable prices, which it sounds like this one does! Bethany Clough recently featured the store in the Fresno Bee, highlighting not only the well set-up store but also the good works they do for our community. All proceeds from the shop support those in need in Fresno and allow H2H (which stands for Hearts to Hands) to provide showers, clothing, towels, food, and rides to church, appointments, or meetings for the unhoused and those working to recover from addiction. This thrift store offers a lot more than nice clothing at fair prices – it’s making a real impact for those who need a hand most.
4. The Fresno Tiki Project
Here’s one I didn’t see coming – Fresno is getting a tiki bar! An account called “The Fresno Tiki Project” recently popped up in my suggested feed on Instagram, and when I checked out their posts, I discovered an explanation of the history of tiki bar culture, as well as the fact that there are a significant number of tiki collectors and enthusiasts right here in Fresno. In the midst of our growing craft cocktail scene, our very own tiki bar, filled with local and handmade tiki décor, is in the early stages of being created! Location information and timelines haven’t been revealed just yet, but the account is being regularly updated, and I am officially intrigued! Follow along for the journey here.
5. Libelula
Libelula, an incredible farm-to-table restaurant with an ever-changing and mouthwatering seasonal menu, recently announced an impending move from its cozy downtown location at the Crest Theatre to the iconic former Tokyo Gardens location at 1711 Fulton Street! The move will give the restaurant more space and rectify the ongoing parking challenges made exponentially harder with recent and ongoing construction occurring in the area. Libelula’s owners respect the history of the Tokyo Gardens space (as it was a beloved restaurant and nightlife spot for many years) and promise to keep its awesomeness intact while making it their new home. I can’t wait to visit them there!
That’s my list for now, but Fresno’s local scene never stands still (I know this because in over a decade of writing here, I’ve never run out of cool and new things to highlight!), so I’ll be keeping my eyes out for more. Know of a new business I should be watching for? Let me know in the comments!
- What’s Next in Fresno? 5 Openings and Moves I’m Excited About - October 16, 2026
- The New Old Town Clovis Spot That’s a Café, Market, and Movement Studio in One - October 8, 2026
- The Unique Dining Experience You Have to Try: Shabu Shabu at Ichi Shabu - October 1, 2026
Leave a Reply