Hella Fresno

On this day, September 1st 1964 the city of Fresno opened a newly redesigned Fulton Mall. A four lane street had now become an outdoor mall that families could shop and enjoy. Victor Gruen, (google the Gruen effect) the inventor of the shopping mall along with Garrett Eckbo a landscape designer, collaborated and designed a six block corridor that included benches, trees, fountains and art installations. This was an attempt to revitalize downtown (sound familiar?) as both Manchester and Fig garden malls previously opened in the 1950’s. At the time only one other outdoor mall existed in the country. In 2017 cars were reintroduced and Fulton street was, once again. Even after 60 years with the street repaved, fountains and sculptures removed or relocated, the essence and vibe of what the original designers wanted it to be is still here. “The mall was designed as a social space, a focus of community interest and events, a promenade and rendezvous with friends, a play area for children, and a meeting place for teenagers.”
— Garrett Eckbo

Early Sunday mornings nestled under the Stanislaus overpass was a little cafe owned by Al & Mary Contreras it was always jam packed with regulars who would walk in hollering a “hey AL”into the kitchen that has always been covered in taped up pictures of past and present customers who became family. Once you’d sit down there was Mary, with a knowing smile, would scribble down my familiar order—chicken fried steak, smothered in gravy, and Al’s legendary potatoes it rarely changed. We would sit and talk with Mary for what seemed to be hours about our dogs, our lives, she always had a few mom jokes up her sleeve that she couldn’t remember the punchline to.
In 2000 construction on G st. around the building started and instead of closing its doors they relocated to their current location on Olive and 99 an old Wendy’s building, it was closer to home for us so over last 24 years we would continue to take friends, extended family, & employees to have “safety meetings” Al and Mary are now gone with their daughter Anna running the restaurant, the friendly welcoming hospitality and the comfort food legacy they built has remained the same since 1985. Whenever I have the chance to stop by the gravy brings back all the memories. .cafe.fresno559 IYNYK- .with.me

Some of you might recognize this home on Olive, just west of Blackstone…the Paul Kindler house. If you remember a couple weeks ago, when we posted about Zapp’s park which was at one time located in this same area, John Zapp was friend to and harvested sand for Paul Kindler. Originally from Germany, Mr Kindler was a masonry craftsman by trade. With the sand harvested by Mr Zapp, Kindler created terracotta bricks, carvings and decor, many of which adorn Fresno’s most famous buildings. The home and most of the buildings were designed by Stockton born Richard Felchlin but Paul Kindler definitely left his mark on Fresno in the most literal way. Some of the buildings include the Warnors theatre, the San Joaquin Light and Power Building (The Grand), the Hotel California, FCC Library and the Pacific Southwest Building (security bank). The lily flower and filigree pattern found over the door of the home in the tower district can also be found on the PSW building downtown. Paul Kindler passed away in 1943 and is buried at the Belmont cemetery where his headstone is lined with his own brick work. He was a master of his craft and his work is literally Hella Fresno!

Did you know that at one point Fresno had an amusement park!?! From 1904 to 1917 Zapp’s Park was located at the corner of Blackstone and Olive. John and Leota Zapp transformed an alfalfa field into a park equipped with not only a huge swimming pool but a lagoon that you and your boo could row a boat on. A zoo, a bowling alley, a shooting gallery, a dance hall, a roller coaster and whole lot more! Mr. Zapp was an orphan and when asked by the Bee why he built the park he said because he wanted to do something good for Fresno’s children. Before he passed in 1918, John was trying to get the city to take over the park but just like today the city doesn’t want us to have anything cool🤷🏽‍♂️ Susan B Anthony elementary, homes and businesses now stand where Zapp’s park once was. If you NO you should know!

Have you ever wondered how Fulton street came to be or where the name comes from? A hustler and influencer of his time, Fulton G. Berry was a hotel owner and all around entrepreneur from back east who really made a name for himself here by helping to build a buzz for this newly incorporated town (1885). His hotel, The Grand Central, was basically the Hilton of Fresno in those days, where you could see actors to opera singers roaming the halls or shucking oysters in the hotel restaurant. It was located at the Mariposa Plaza where the homies are currently. Fulton Berry was a very charismatic and flamboyant socialite who would pull up riding an all white horse, wearing an all white fit and brought the party with him wherever he went. He was a well known figure up and down California and truly made things happen for the city of Fresno. He passed away in 1910 at the age of 78 and shortly after, what was then J street was renamed Fulton street. I believe that spirit of progress and wanting to see our little town succeed still lives on today through the artists and small business owners of downtown. In my opinion the homie Fulton Berry was the O.G of being Hella Fresno! If you NO, you know!

Our vision is getting so close to reality.
With the 🤞🏻 support of Measure P we have been working and developing this concept project “heARTs of Downtown,” a creative workspace where our collective of local artists guide FREE & low-cost classes to all ages. We can’t wait to connect with the commUNITY on a larger scale and continue to inspire each other.

Let’s show City Hall Monday 7/15 @ 5:30pm that the Fresno community stands behind its artists!
Voice your support for the allocation of Measure P funds. Together, we can keep creating experiences for us and the future generation of Fresno creators.

What up folks!?! It’s been a minute since we’ve made a hella Fresno post so here’s one for you! Did you know corn nuts are produced and packaged in Fresno! I can remember as a kid, going to watch my uncles and aunts play softball or being a score keeper in my teens at Calwa park and smelling the corn nuts cooking down the street! Chile picante were my favorite! So remember next time you have those nuts in your mouth…they’re Hella Fresno corn nuts!

Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing Dads out there! ❤️

This Father’s Day, let’s celebrate the special bond we share with our dads and the memories we’ve made growing up in Fresno.

Share your favorite Fresno memory with your dad in the comments below! 👇 Whether it’s a day at Avocado lake , a night at the Sunnyside drive-in, or just a simple backyard BBQ, let’s hear all about it.

Feliz Dia De Las Madres! 💚 🤍 ❤️

If you joined us last year then you already know the vibes… teaming up once again with the homie for another 420 joint! Come out and celebrate with us! Live art, music, food and good times!

So I’ve been trying to find a pic of this place and Jenn was able to come up with this one…the farmers market on Divisadero and U street just off the 41. I went to Jefferson elementary and when in the 5th and 6th grade after school we’d go to this place bases loaded a baseball card shop where we’d buy packs of baseball cards hoping to find one or two worth some money and get something to eat or more baseball cards. The inside of this place was dope…my dad says him and my mom would play bingo there. Who remember this place? If you NO you know!

MONEY 💵 SHOTS VOL. 2
By
We have a few copies available here at send us a DM to purchase!
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All you have to do is take a Hennessy shot to come party with the usual suspects tonight!

If you NO, you know…I’ve always wanted to check this place out. Anyone know more about this dope ass house?!?

We will be at tomorrow’s Monday mixer! Prints will be available for pick up and for purchase! If you purchased a pin you can swing by for that too! See y’all tomorrow!

We are officially SOLD OUT of our gold “if you NO” pin! Thank you to all who purchased one! We are very grateful for your support! If you didn’t get a chance to purchase one we have a couple more we will be giving away so stay tuned! Dropping a different version of the design very soon! Thank you Fresno we hella love you!

If you’re around the block today this pin could be yours…just find the nearest art exhibition and open its doors
It’s at the ROOT of it all, so enjoy the show…because after all, if you NO you know!

We are excited to help out the homies this Saturday community event this Saturday!

Free household items, clothes, and pantry items! Plus, we will be there with coloring activities for the kids while their parents pick items!

You know the spot in Tower District!

Saturday, 02/17 from 11 AM to 3 PM ⏰

Because everyone deserves a helping hand and a little art!

If you are Feeling generous, Donate gently used items at the event to help others! Every contribution makes a difference! ✨

Spread the word! Share this post and invite your friends and neighbors. Let’s show our Fresno love and support!

This year, we’re changing things up by hosting bi-monthly shows instead of monthly shows. Why? To curate more immersive, substantial and memorable experiences for YOU! Planning more ways for the community to interact with the featured art and artists.

started us off just right, thanks to everyone who came thru and experienced her art, snapped a selfie in the Photo Booth, used lino cut stamps and made a print to take home.


Kept the energy high 🎶 all night.

There are a few remaining original pieces, prints, buttons and mini canvases & Bic lighters for sale DM for details.

Stay tuned for our 04/2024 show we will be posting sneak PEEKs in stories ♾️

Our first Arthop sticker of the year! Available 3 art show this Thursday for Arthop at the Hella Fresno art studio!

Happy to announce our first art hop show of 2024! 3…a art show by Gianna González! Join us on the 1st Thursday of February and check out third exhibition at the Hella Fresno art studio! New series of HF slaps dropping and we will also have cool Hella Fresno Valentine’s Day cards available! See you then!

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Fresno procrastinators, unite! Hella Fresno is open all afternoon with last-minute gifts: totes, hats, stickers, prints, coloring books. DM for prices! Grab & go!

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Ep.36 Roeski Doeski of HellaFresno - The "Home Is Where The Heart Is" episode Another classic... We have OG Roeski Doeski of HellaFresno invite us into the building and chop it up about art, the streets, & Big Al's Texas BBQ. We had so...

📣 Hey everyone! Exciting news!
Hella Fresno is teaming up with Tioga Sequoia and Fresno Social Sports to bring you an incredible event - the adults-only Back to School Night! 🎉🎒
We're not just here to have a great time, but also to make a positive impact in our community. 🌟 We will be collecting backpacks to donate to Jefferson Elementary - a downtown school- to help students kick off the school year with the supplies they need to succeed!

So, Aug 4th join us at the Tioga Beer Garden. All you need to do is bring a backpack/s come get active with some carnival games by and, of course, have a few cold ones. 🍻

🤝❤️ Don't miss this opportunity to have fun, support a great cause, and Let's make a difference together!

⚜️If you can’t make it out to the event but would still like to help out search - Hella Fresno- on Amazon registries and there’s a under $10. Backpack you can purchase, it’ll ship directly to our studio!