Fresno's Warnors Center Reaches Full Retail Capacity

The nearly 100-year-old theater complex is now home to a diverse mix of local businesses and nonprofits.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:19pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still life featuring a collection of premium, polished objects arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the diverse array of community-focused businesses that have revitalized the historic Warnors Center in downtown Fresno.The vibrant mix of local businesses that now fill the Warnors Center in downtown Fresno symbolize the area's ongoing revitalization.Fresno Today

The Warnors Center in downtown Fresno, a nearly 100-year-old theater complex that takes up a quarter of a city block, has reached full occupancy with six retail tenants. The mix includes a tattoo shop, vintage clothing store, gelato shop, coffee roaster, yoga studio, and a clothing design/lifestyle store. The nonprofit that operates the center says they are prioritizing local, community-focused businesses, with two queer-owned and five women-owned or co-owned enterprises.

Why it matters

The full occupancy of the Warnors Center represents a turnaround for the historic complex, which had seen significant retail turnover in the 2010s. The current mix of tenants is seen as a 'temperature check' on the revitalization of downtown Fresno, with the clustering of complementary businesses creating a vibrant small-business ecosystem.

The details

The Warnors Center now has six retail tenants, including The Gilded Lady Tattoo, Summoned Clothing, BB's Gelateria, Sacred Heart Coffee, Mundo Pol, and Maarte yoga studio/event space. The nonprofit that operates the center says they are prioritizing local, community-focused businesses, with two queer-owned and five women-owned or co-owned enterprises. The center also houses the nonprofit's business and box office, as well as three entertainment venues: Warnors Theatre, Frank's Place, and Star Palace.

  • The Warnors Center opened nearly 100 years ago.
  • In the 2010s, the center had a slate of businesses including All Things Fresno, Misc. Trading Co., Fulton Cycle Works, and Love the Captive.
  • In 2015, the trendy Valley-centric Root General store opened in the center.
  • In 2022, Root General, Scraps, and 1418 Daily Market all closed down, leaving Fulton Street Coffee as the only outside tenant for nearly a year.
  • Sacred Heart Coffee reopened in the Fulton Street Coffee space in 2025.

The players

Warnors Center for the Performing Arts

The nonprofit that operates the Warnors Center theater complex in downtown Fresno.

Nicole Owens

The executive director of the Warnors Center for the Performing Arts.

The Gilded Lady Tattoo

A tattoo shop located in the Warnors Center.

Summoned Clothing

A vintage clothing store located in the Warnors Center that has been doing PR work with Moses McQueen's.

BB's Gelateria

A food retailer located in the Warnors Center.

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What they’re saying

“'Variability in business model,' says Nicole Owens, executive director of the Warnors Center for the Performing Arts, the nonprofit that operates the theater complex.”

— Nicole Owens, Executive Director, Warnors Center for the Performing Arts

“'Like the rising tide lifts all boats,' she says.”

— Nicole Owens, Executive Director, Warnors Center for the Performing Arts

“'We are certainly prioritizing our community,' she says.”

— Nicole Owens, Executive Director, Warnors Center for the Performing Arts

“'It's a cool little temperature check on downtown.'”

— Nicole Owens, Executive Director, Warnors Center for the Performing Arts

What’s next

The Warnors Center will continue to monitor the success of its diverse mix of retail tenants and look for opportunities to further activate the historic theater complex as a hub for the Fresno community.

The takeaway

The full occupancy of the Warnors Center, with its focus on supporting local, community-oriented businesses, represents a promising sign for the revitalization of downtown Fresno. The clustering of complementary enterprises has created a vibrant small-business ecosystem that could serve as a model for other urban centers looking to breathe new life into their historic commercial districts.