News Summary
Fresno is set to impose nightly street closures on Shaw Avenue from Blythe to Cornelia starting Monday. The closures will run from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. to facilitate construction by the California High-Speed Rail Authority, lasting until October 3rd. Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes as local businesses face challenges amid ongoing closures. The construction represents progress in the high-speed rail system but comes at a tough time for the community already dealing with business shutdowns.
Fresno will experience nightly street closures on Shaw Avenue between Blythe and Cornelia starting Monday, as part of ongoing construction efforts by the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The closure will run from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly and is scheduled to last through October 3rd.
Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes during the closure, as detours will be in place to facilitate traffic flow. A detailed breakdown of these detour routes will be provided for drivers to consult ahead of time to minimize inconvenience during this period.
This construction work represents a significant step in the development of California’s high-speed rail system, which aims to enhance transportation connectivity across the state. However, the closure comes at a challenging time for local businesses, particularly after many establishments experienced closures over the summer of 2025.
Notably, several businesses located along or near Shaw Avenue have permanently closed in recent months. For instance, the local NY Bagelry, Uncle Harry’s, shuttered its Shaw and Marks avenues location due to a lease expiration but continues to operate at three other locations. Meanwhile, KuniSama, a Japanese restaurant located at Herndon and Willow avenues, closed without public comment from the owners.
Round Table Pizza, situated near Shaw and West avenues, confirmed it has closed permanently, although no specific reason was provided. In downtown Fresno, George’s Shish Kebab, which had been an establishment for 43 years, shut down due to health concerns affecting the owner.
Additionally, two KFC locations have closed permanently—one at First Street and Bullard Avenue and another at Dakota and West avenues—without clarification on the reasons for their closure. The popular Straw Hat Pizza at 80 W. Shaw Ave., along with the attached arcade, has also closed, although a new restaurant, Dosan A Social Eatery, is planned to take its place.
Other notable closures include the Arby’s at Ashlan and Cedar avenues, which has left only one remaining Arby’s location in Fresno. All Rite Aid locations in the area have also closed down after the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. A vintage boutique selling goods from Neighborhood Thrift has ceased operations, but two of their other stores remain active.
In addition to the closures, a biking store initially opened in 2010 as Sunnyside Bicycles has merged with an alternative location and ceased independent operations. In Clovis, the Mitsui Buffet has closed, potentially permanently, marked by a sign indicating a temporary closure for remodeling, despite ongoing health permit issues surfacing during its operation.
Further adding to the challenges faced by the community, a historic roadside hamburger and ice cream stand in Coarsegold has also closed its doors due to lease disputes, albeit with plans to continue operating as a food truck.
In a separate incident, the Fresno Fire Department responded to a fire involving a garbage truck on Shaw Avenue. The driver noticed flames in the truck’s load and, in a timely manner, disposed of the garbage onto the street. This led to piles of trash and the involvement of cleanup crews, resulting in blocked lanes on Shaw Avenue as the situation was managed.
The combined impact of these street closures for construction, as well as the numerous business shutdowns, presents significant challenges for residents and the local economy in Fresno. Community members are encouraged to stay informed and utilize alternate routes to ensure smooth transit during this transition period.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- ABC30: High-Speed Rail Construction Closure
- Fresno Bee: Restaurant Updates
- KMPH: Lane Closures on Shaw Avenue
- The Business Journal: Restaurant Closures in Fresno
- Your Central Valley: Highway Closures
- Wikipedia: Fresno, California
- Google Search: High-Speed Rail California
- Google Scholar: California High-Speed Rail
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fresno
- Google News: Fresno Business Closures
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
