How did downtown Fresno’s liveliest block for nightlife take shape? Almost by accident

Downtown Fresno’s liveliest block for nightlife and events wasn’t the result of any grand plan.

The Brewery District is a stroke of serendipity. Made possible in no small part due to another happy accident involving a completely unrelated business venture.

What does Fresno’s burgeoning Brewery District have in common with roughly 20 million inspirational pocket stones sold throughout the world? The answer is Nora Monaco. Someone who has been instrumental in both.

“The angel worry stones were created by accident, and the Brewery District was kind of created by accident too,” Monaco said. “Because who woulda thunk?”

Breweries, cocktail bars and restaurants were the last thing Monaco had in mind in 2004 when the Morgan Hill resident purchased three buildings on the same block of Fulton Street near Chukchansi Park. Even the idea to do so belonged to Monaco’s brother, who lives in Madera.

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“He was making a deal, he lives here and he was buying them,” she said. “But he couldn’t come up with the money and told me, ‘Someday it might be a good area.’ … So I gave him a real estate commission, and I bought them.”

At the time, Monaco’s buildings were occupied by tenants that included a vintage car collector and an auto body shop. For nearly a decade, things remained that way. The first hint of change occurred in 2012, when Tioga-Sequoia Brewing leased the building at 721 Fulton across the street from the stadium.

Tioga-Sequoia initially used the 30,000-foot space for storage and offices, according to president Michael Cruz. Soon, though, it started hosting events. When nearly 3,000 people attended the first FresYes Fest in 2013, that was enough to convince Cruz and partners to construct a beer garden and make the necessary improvements.

Birth of the Brewery District

That process took roughly two years. The results were first visible in December 2018 when Zack’s Brewing Co. opened at 712 Fulton. (Full Circle Brewing now leases the 7,500-foot space.) The next big step occurred in January 2020 when the Modernist craft cocktail bar opened directly across the street in the 22,500-square foot Rustigian building.

With two breweries and a swanky bar occupying the same block, voila. The Brewery District was born. (A craft beer tasting room and taco shop have since taken up spaces next to the Modernist, and they’ll soon be joined by a whiskey bar.) The timing wasn’t exactly fortuitous considering the pandemic was fast approaching. Still, all but Zack’s survived the downturn.

“The more successful businesses there are down here, the better it is for all of us,” Cruz said.

Monaco has since purchased two more properties, including the former Pep Boys location at 716 Broadway, which backs up to the Rustigan building and includes a vacant lot that will be home to a barbecue joint. Both are vacant and available for rent. Call the number with each listing and it won’t be answered by some broker. You’ll be speaking directly with the owner.

“I won’t lease to anybody who doesn’t fit what we’re trying to do,” Monaco said.

Pocket stones a smashing success

Monaco’s investment in downtown Fresno wouldn’t be possible if not for a successful business the 69-year-old founded in 1991 selling inspirational gifts. AngelStar started out selling angel figurines before introducing small stones adorned with phrases or pictures intended for people to carry around in their pockets.

The stones were a smashing success. So much so that Monaco eventually signed licensing agreements with other companies to manufacture, sell and ship her products. She just collects the checks.

Monaco believes the stones met an emotional need for people, and views the Brewery District in a similar light. Besides providing space for a cluster of pubs, bars and eateries, she wants to promote an environment that’s both safe and clean.

Last year, Monaco presented to city officials a plan to beautify the alley between her buildings with shade coverings, murals and greenery. A particular annoyance are all the garbage and recycling dumpsters, which she says attract homeless people and are continuously set on fire. She hopes to replace them with a secure trash compactor.

“If you want to change the conversation from, ‘Downtown? Oh my God. You went there?’ to ‘Oh God. Downtown is awesome,’ that’s what it takes,” Monaco said.

Monaco doesn’t take credit for the Brewery District’s success. Rather, she praises the effort and commitment of Tioga-Sequoia, the Modernist and events promoter Mike Osegueda.

“I didn’t buy these properties and think, ‘I’m going to build a brewery district.’ That was the furthest thing from my brain,” she said. “But that’s what ended up happening.”