By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
New developments coming to Countryside Drive
Fast food, housing in the works
development 1
A sign displayed at the southeastern corner of Tuolumne Road and Countryside Drive notices a Planning Permit Application, which includes the construction of a retail pad that could be home to a Popeyes and Farmer Boys restaurants. - photo by ANGELINA MARTIN/The Journal

Turlock’s Highway 99 retail corridor is no stranger to construction, from the recent addition of craft and décor megastore Hobby Lobby to the current development of the highly-anticipated Ten Pin Fun Center, and now, the shopping strip’s south side will soon provide the community with more fast food options, retail choices and new homes to choose from thanks to a flurry of new expansion.

First, hot dog lovers rejoice, because Wienerschnitzel appears to be coming to town.

In September 2016, the City of Turlock approved a development spearheaded by Hall Equities which, at the time, displayed plans for a Habit Burger Grill drive-thru restaurant and an 8,100-square foot to-be-named commercial retail building on the northwest corner of Tuolumne Road and Countryside Drive.

While the Habit Burger Grill was constructed within the year and opened in August 2017, there were no signs of development from the other half of the approved project, let alone what retailers would call the new building home – until now.

Signage has popped up on the property displaying retail space available for lease by commercial real estate agency Cushman & Wakefield. While there are three separate storefronts in the yet-to-be-constructed building, only two spaces are shown available for lease. The third storefront appears to be the future home of a Wienerschnitzel, as the restaurant’s logo is displayed on the building diagram displayed on the Cushman & Wakefield sign.

Cushman & Wakefield was not able to be reached for comment.

Across the street, a long-awaited housing development is finally underway.

Construction work has begun on the infrastructure for Florsheim Homes’ Rose Verde – a 107-unit subdivision located at the northeast corner of Countryside Drive and Tuolumne Road, just south of Home Depot.

The Turlock City Council approved Rose Verde, called Monte Verde at the time, in April 2014, and according to Florsheim Homes President Randy Bling, the organization was simply waiting for the right time to build.

“I think, in general, the housing market is doing well right now, so we were just waiting for that market and when it fit with our plan,” said Bling. “I think it’s going to be a great development for move-down buyers and first-time home buyers who want to be close to all of the retail action. Monte Vista Crossings has grown a lot, and everything is in walking distance.”

Bling said that work on the subdivision’s infrastructure, such as paving the streets, is expected to be completed in late spring, with home construction starting in early summer. The subdivision will include 107 homes ranging from 1,500 to over 2,400 square feet, said Bling, with five different floor plans.

Residents of those homes will be near a plethora of retail and dining options, including the intersection’s future Wienerschnitzel. On the southeast corner of Countryside Drive and Tuolumne Road, even more choices will soon be available at a new area called Turlock Corners Retail Plaza.

Approved by the City in November 2017, Turlock Corners Retail Plaza will include two retail buildings totaling approximately 16,349 feet and two drive-through fast food pads, to be built at 2530 W. Tuolumne Road, just north of the nearby dog park.

Although construction on the development hasn’t begun, the Planning Commission will consider a master sign program for the new retail plaza, including tenant wall signs, pad tenant monument signs and one six-foot tall multi-tenant plaza sign. Tenants have not been announced by Turlock Corners LLC, who is developing the project, but the application and site plans submitted to the City for the master sign program give some clues.

The two fast food pads may very well house a Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen and a Farmer Boys, which both have locations in nearby Ceres and Modesto.

In the application for the plaza’s master sign program, both restaurants are named when the applicant lists the exterior building colors for both pads – Popeye’s will include gold and red, while Farmer Boys’ exterior will feature a cream and ‘tomato’ color. The hours of operation for both respective restaurants are also listed on the application.

In the site plans for the master sign program, included are exhibits featuring what the signage on the future Popeye’s and Farmer Boys will look like.

According to City of Turlock Associate Planner Adrienne Werner, construction on the plaza is expected to begin soon, as the applicants have one year from the time of their project approval to start construction. She stated that the City cannot confirm whether or not a leasing agreement has been made with Popeye’s or Farmer Boys. Turlock Corners LLC was unable to be reached for comment.