Radiating off Olive Avenue from Palm Avenue east to Van Ness Avenue and beyond, the area has restaurants, shopping and theaters. Brix, a hip eatery with American contemporary cuisine menu featuring sweet potato french fries, pastas, salads, sandwiches and decadent desserts. The lunch menu prices are better than the dinner prices for those budget-inclined folks. Right across the street is Grandmarie's Chicken Pie Shop. A chicken pie shop has been in that area since the 1950s.
Jazz shows, graduations and battles of the band use the theater's stage throughout the year.
Shops include Thistle, a home and garden store, Plums Contemporary Arts, Wisteria antiques and collectibles, and the Brass Unicorn, a book and gift store. The planetarium, on the Fresno State campus, just opened a year ago. Open during the week to school tours and large groups, the planetarium has shows for the public on Friday and Saturday. A constellation tour is held after each show, with that evening's nighttime sky projected. Staff members will point out how to find different constellations and stars.