MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- Business is booming in Merced.

Construction is almost finished for three retailers, expected to open before the end of the year.

"It's actually a joy to see these projects move forward," said Merced Deputy City Manager Frank Quintero.

City leaders said it's breathing new life into this decades-old space.

"Because if you can remember, Sears declared bankruptcy and shut down, that was around 2017. So, we waited eight years for this to happen," said Quintero.

Video shows what the abandoned lot looked like in 2021. It was a hard sight for some to see, with the space holding a lifetime worth of memories.

"From like Christmas shopping, shopping for clothes for school- there's a lot of memories," said Merced resident Eren Tapetillo.

Inside, the Marketplace at Merc

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