New owners plan to revive three vacant storefronts at Grand Avenue and Maple Street

# What happened Majid Mehdi and his wife Laurie bought three vacant storefronts at the corner of Grand Avenue and Maple Street, next to Maple Plaza. One of those buildings is the former 150 Grand, once a well-known fine-dining restaurant in the region. The MehdIs plan to convert the properties into four retail spaces, including two restaurants, and to pursue construction on an accelerated timetable.

# Who else is involved An investor identified only as Ahmed purchased additional nearby properties, including the Delight of France restaurant. Collectively the MehdIs and Ahmed now own six buildings in the area. Sabrina Covington acted as the real estate agent for the MehdIs' purchase.

# The plan in concrete terms

• Convert the three purchased storefronts into four retail units total, with two designated for restaurants.
• Propose a fountain on part of the parking lot adjacent to Maple Street Plaza to create a promenade-style setting facing the plaza.
• Aim to complete construction within about a year to 18 months, with an "aggressive" building schedule.

# Local reaction and support Mayor Dane White and Councilmember Christian Garcia have shown support for the project. Mehdi described both as willing to help with construction work, and local groups such as the Downtown Business Association have taken interest. Councilmember Garcia framed the project as an opportunity to expand shopping and entertainment options downtown.

# Practical issues flagged by the owners Mehdi acknowledged parking constraints and said he expects patrons to park a few blocks away if necessary. He expressed a broader vision for the corner to become a central downtown gathering place and emphasized the site's location between Highway 78 and Interstate 5.

# What stays the same The 150 Grand location will remain a restaurant. The former tamale shop is also slated to become an eatery under the new plan.

# Timeline and next steps Mehdi plans to move quickly, targeting a 12–18 month completion window. The team will need to finalize tenant agreements for the restaurant and smaller retail spaces, complete construction approvals, and manage parking and public-space changes associated with the fountain and promenade ideas.

# Why this matters locally

# Bottom line Grand and Maple into a small cluster of retail and restaurant spaces, with public-facing improvements and a relatively short timeline. The project has drawn city support and early tenant interest for the restaurant space, while parking and final tenant commitments are unresolved.