With a population of just over 100,000, the sweet little city of Clovis is alive and growing. Incorporated in 1912, Clovis was pioneered by a man named Marcus Pollasky, and a group of prominent Fresno residents – and to this day, Pollasky Avenue remains the “main street” in the charming Old Town Clovis. From the oh-so popular Wine Walks to the local Clovis Craft Beer Crawl, there is always something happening in the hub of Old Town, on Pollasky Avenue. During the month of December, the streets are glammed up with twinkle lights and horse drawn carriage rides, and in the hot, hot summers, you can find people of all ages dancing to live music heard at the Friday Night Farmer’s Market. Let’s take a stroll down the valley-famed Pollasky Avenue, where there is something for the foodie, the decorator, the historian, and the cafe junkie, too.
- 3 OAKS Studio is summed up in one word: chalk paint. Ok ok, there is more to it than that, but any of you at-home DIY’ers will find your haven here. The clean white walls of the 3 OAKS Studio are carefully and artfully accessorized by the most adorable shabby-chic decor. A wine bottle chandelier and re-loved, re-finished furniture find their home here, and any employee can give you the full rundown on how to breathe new life into an old cabinet or dresser. 3 OAKS Studio offers classes and workshops like “paint therapy” “rustic charm” and “cabinet rehab” – making any beginning home decorator into an EXPERT after just a few hours.
3 OAKS STUDIO, 481 Pollasky Ave., Clovis, CA 93612, www.3oaksstudio.com - House of JuJu. OMG. If you have not stepped foot into this little burger and beer joint, you better get to steppin’! Their simple, yet exquisite menu of gourmet burgers, craft beer, wine, salads, and flatbreads has the whole town talking (and sticking out the wait for a table on weekends, too!). You may have heard about the JuJu server who got a $500 tip, but the entire wait staff here is quick and lovely, and plainly loves what they do. They even recognize yours truly when I stop in for a bite – which says something about me and them, I think! Any of the gourmet ingredients – creamy bleu cheese, caramelized onions, roasted ortega green chile, their signature teriyaki slaw – can be turned into a burger, salad, a bowl, or tiny burger sliders. YUM. Bison patty, turkey patty, portabella mushroom, or grilled chicken can also be opted into your dish – just DO NOT miss out on the dragon lady slaw, I’m warning you! Ok, I may need to make a lunch run now, thanks a lot.
House of JuJu, 453 Pollasky Ave. #109, Clovis, CA 93612, on Facebook - On The Edge is the only cafe on Pollasky, and is definitely worth a stop for a quiet study time, coffee date, or weekend beer and wine tasting! The owners of House of JuJu also own this quaint spot just across the street, and they are working hard at revamping the vibe with a newly added menu and weekend live music on the spacious back patio, known as the PATIO @ On The Edge. Thursday through Saturday evenings in Old Town, the PATIO features craft beers, wines, sangria and some truly tasty food.
On The Edge, 412 Pollasky Ave., Clovis, CA 93612, on Facebook - Clovis-Big Dry Creek Historical Society and Museum on Pollasky is a building you may have passed a million times if you’re in Old Town, but is really quite adorable and wonderful if you stop in. It is located in the historical First State Bank building from 1912, and stores some of the most historic photos and artifacts of this valley city, celebrating the immigrants to the area from the 1800’s, and even some amazing Clovis High graduate pictures from 1903 through 1965! Clovis has strong and special military ties, so it’s only natural that the museum would house an entire room honoring Clovis veterans of WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf Wars. Take a field trip or a quick drop-in to the Clovis Museum, and learn a little something new about the roots of where you live.
Clovis-Big Dry Creek Historical Society and Museum, 401 Pollasky Street Clovis, CA 93612, www.clovis-museum.com - Year-Round Saturday Farmers Market is small, but mighty, and my final “must” on this list of Pollasky favorites. Every Saturday from 8-11:30 AM, the heart of Old Town Clovis at Bullard & Pollasky Avenues opens up to vendors from all over the food-growing central valley. Top O’ the Morn has their local, old fashioned bottled milk (chocolate milk, too!) and cheese, Smiling Oranges has their freshly squeezed OJ, and local honey, fresh eggs (chicken AND duck!), and various in-season fruits and veggies too. My family loves the crab guy, who not only sells live, freshly caught San Francisco Bay crabs, but let’s my two-year-old peek inside the crab-filled cooler where he grabs from. Flowers, herbs, and grass-fed beef can also be found at the Saturday Farmers Market, so you can basically plan your entire week’s meals in one quick morning run.
Year-Round Saturday Farmers Market, Bullard & Pollasky, on Facebook
So, take a stroll down the tree-lined streets of Pollasky Avenue and think about the rich history and industry this sweet, old town holds.
Born and raised a true California girl, Holly lives and breathes fashion, food, art, and travel. With a big, big passion for blogging about fashion & shoes, Holly has earned the reputation of being a leading women's shoe blogger; she started her own blog in 2010, www.hollyinheels.com, that now has a loyal international audience. Holly also dabbles in freelance PR, and writes regular columns for several lifestyle print and online publications. She digs shopping, writing, hitting up happy hour, and tap class (in no particular order). You can find Holly shopping local and sipping coffee around Old Town Clovis, with her husband and cute lil' toddler girl.
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