We all find ourselves growing bored of the monotonous trips to Supercuts- with the identical looking chain salons, going to the hairdresser becomes tedious…I certainly dread it. That was until I found The Paint Room. Located in Montecito Plaza on the corner of Willow and Nees, The Paint Room, opened last September by local hair designer Stephanie DuBois, brings a refreshing approach to hair care to Fresno. 

Offering a multitude of services including hair design, makeup, spray tanning, and brow threading, Stephanie and the other artists at The Paint Room focus on making each and every customer’s visit a true luxury experience. A standard appointment at The Paint Room features indulgent head massages, lush shampoos and conditioners, and maybe the occasional glass of champagne (cue the shifty eyes and winky face emojis). The artists at The Paint Room do everything from simple curls and brow cleanups to rainbow hair and stunning makeup looks. And we can’t forget about their male guests either! 

But The Paint Room goes far beyond offering glamorous cuts and colors- it’s a manifestation of a visionary women’s childhood dreams. From the very beginning of her life, Stephanie loved to play with absolutely everyone’s hair. That passion grew into a solid career path of working her way up in several different salons until she finally decided she was done with corporate work and built up the clientele to establish her own place. With an “if I don’t start now, it’ll never happen” attitude, The Paint Room has grown from just seven artists to nineteen in ten short months. 

Stephanie’s favorite aspect of being an independent hair salon? Bringing all the different colors of Fresno together into one beautiful picture. She holds a lot of pride in designing The Paint Room with perfectly subtle urban vibes: because why should someone in northern Clovis have to drive forty-five minutes across town to the Tower district to be surrounded by creativity and color? The Paint Room definitely channels that downtown Fresno spirit with not only its paint-splattered walls and chic decorations but its tight-knit family of talented artists. 

Why should you “relax, because you’re at Great Clips,” when you can visit The Paint Room and relax because you’re being pampered by hair stylists that design their customer’s hair like DaVinci designed his masterpieces? 

Forget your basic barbershop, I highly encourage you to make it a point to get your next hair treatment at The Paint Room, located at 2950 E Nees Ave, or check out their Instagram @thepaintrm to see all their latest masterpieces. Beautiful hair and a glowing spray tan for summer? Yes, please!

By FresYes Guest Writer Emma Farris

You feel a drop of sweat trickle down the side of your forehead as your fingers fumble to fit a key into the lock. The safe opens and you pull out a small box with a keypad on it. “I need a four-digit code,” you frantically shout out. Nothing is working. A giant timer on the wall beeps as it reads 0:05. Four, three, two, one. The room goes dark. 

Escape rooms are a perfect afternoon getaway for you and your friends, especially during the summer when everyone is scrambling for shelter from the scorching heat. Even if you are not well versed in mind games, you should still take a stab at the puzzle; escape rooms are a memorable experience and can be used for team bonding. When living in a town with temperatures quickly rising to 105 °F,  being locked in an air-conditioned room can feel like a mini oasis. 

Although these life-size puzzles have been getting tons of praise on social media the past few years, the same old murder-mystery theme can get boring. But fear not, for Fresno is home to escape rooms that offer fun and fresh spins on the original puzzle. Xcape Room Fresno, Method of Escape, and Fresno Escape Room are three businesses with themed rooms that will set you on a craze for more mystery and suspense. 

Xcape Room Fresno, located on West Shaw in Fresno, recently installed a new feature to one of their older rooms. If you are looking for a team bonding experience and want to let your competitive spirit run wild then this room is calling your name. Xcape Room Fresno’s main attraction, Fresno Has Fallen, recently got an upgrade when they installed another identical room and added racing features to the rooms. There is a tracker so your team can see how much you’ve completed, but you cannot see your competitor’s progress to keep up the suspense. So for a little friendly competition, reserve both Fresno Has Fallen rooms any day from Thursday to Sunday and get ready to turn up the heat. 

The escape room fun isn’t only for friends, Method of Escape on Escalon Ave has thought of rooms for all occasions, including the workplace. If your coworkers have been talking about doing team bonding activities, then head straight to Method of Escape where they recently added a conference room so you can “unlock your company’s potential” while having fun and trying out their newest theme, Tombstone. But make sure to hurry and make your reservation because slots are filling quickly and they are only open from 8-12, Monday and Wednesday- Sunday. 

If you want the thrill of completing the puzzle but just want an escape room on the more casual side, then Fresno Escape Room is the place for you. They don’t have any crazy features, but their themes are certainly not basic and are sure to excite you and whoever you bring. Their widely acclaimed Crimson of the Storm room is pirate-themed, leaving guests wanting to come back for a second go. So for a perfect afternoon out with friends or family, head over to Shaw in Clovis and get your mystery on. 

Overall, escape rooms are an adrenaline-pumping experience, unlikely to bore anyone; but raising the stakes just adds more fun for you and your friends to look back on in the future. With the sun out and shining and people searching for cool air, now is the perfect time to check out the fresh spins that Fresno escape rooms have to offer. And a little tip for beginners; get some practice in before challenging your friends because these riddles can get mind-bending and are not for the light-hearted.

Written by FresYes Guest Writer, Gianna Triplett

By FresYes Guest Writer Emma Farris

Ever find yourself in need of a beautiful bouquet? I do too, and so I make the trek to the nearest grocery store to purchase the perfect bunch, only to find disappointing, simple bouquets wrapped in crinkled plastic. A couple of wilted petals are standard with these boring, albeit convenient flower arrangements. 

Your quest for an exciting bunch of blooms doesn’t have to come to this tragic end though – not when there’s Flora Flower Cart. Born of her love for gardening and arranging flowers with her dad, Jaeleen Shaw’s mobile flower arranging cart was a labor of love. It was designed by her and a close friend, built by her father and husband, and skyrocketed to popularity in the Central Valley. I can confidently guess that the reason for their sudden rise in fame is the unique experience of customizing your own bouquet. Having total control of which flowers go in your arrangement is rare, and Flora Flower Cart certainly makes it special. 

Jaeleen has been in the flower business for just over a year now and absolutely loves the community’s excitement to support her imaginative concept. In her experience of reaching out to other local businesses, expanding her own, and spreading happiness through her locally grown blossoms, Jaeleen has never seen a more receptive audience. Her favorite thing about Flora Flower Cart’s growth? Meeting new people every day and putting smiles on their faces. 

Because really, who can resist a cart this cute, with a smile that big…it’s like it came straight off of Pinterest! 

Earlier this week Flora Flower Cart made an appearance at the FresYes office, and it certainly brightened our agents’ morning to be greeted by the fun and fresh cart and its wonderfully sweet owner! Seeing all the bright (and unwilted) flowers lined up ready for my picking was the highlight of my day…and you can be sure I took advantage of THAT opportunity. 

Next on Jaeleen’s agenda for Flora Flower Cart is growing the number of deliveries and subscriptions she fulfills. Yes, you read that right. She delivers these amazing bouquets right to your door. Can you imagine what it would be like to have one of these arrangements handed to you every month? I can, and it would be absolutely magical!
If you would like to see more of Jaeleen’s creations and keep up with Flora Flower Cart’s whereabouts, you can follow her on Facebook and Instagram @floraflowercart. To order a special delivery for that special someone (or yourself, I won’t judge) visit her website floraflowercart.com. Wouldn’t it be nice to decorate your home with some of these blooms? I think so.

By FresYes Guest Blogger Gianna Triplett

With August just around the corner, summer vacation has passed its peak. Your kids are getting restless and you are sick of cartoons and Fortnite playing on the TV 24/7. Well, I have just the activity that will allow your kids to pass the time and allow you to finally enjoy an hour or two of quiet around the house for these last few weeks before school starts. 

When you think of most sports, the image that comes to mind is two teams fighting for a ball, running up and down a field, and scoring goals. But not all sports require you to be so active, and one of the best sports for kids to engage in has no contact or running at all, making it a great choice for those who aren’t willing or able to be running around in the heat. Allow me to introduce to you, archery. Now, you might think that putting a bow and arrow in the hands of a 12-year-old might be a bad idea, but trust me, there are many pros to archery and its extensive list of rules that can teach kids many valuable life lessons. 

Here in Fresno, there are many places that offer archery courses and one-day lessons for people of all ages and ability levels. Break the Barriers offers monthly archery classes for people to come and shoot once a week. They have kids-only classes or mixed kids and adults, and all the equipment is provided! There are also two archery shops in Fresno, The Spot and Impact Archery. At these stores, you can purchase equipment as well as try out their ranges, where your kids (and you) can take lessons. Once they learn the ins and outs of archery, they can go to the range anytime for more practice. The Spot is located in West Fresno, while Impact Archery is on Clovis Ave, so there is fun to be had on both sides of town. 

There are multiple rules to the sport of archery that ensure that the sport does not become dangerous, and archers have often found that having to learn and follow these rules has taught them greater life lessons. When shooting in a tournament, for example, archers have certain behavior and dress codes that they have to follow. While other archers are shooting, it is expected that those not shooting are quiet so the shooter can focus; this teaches young archers to respect others and to give each person a chance to shoot their best shot. The tournament dress code is there so archers all look nice and it teaches kids how to dress respectfully and properly for events. These are things that go beyond any sport and help teach young people to be presentable and respectful in everyday life. Imagine if, the next time your child was participating is a group activity, they waited patiently for their turn and were polite when they were done!

If your kids decide they want to continue the sport, there are many programs in Fresno for kids to shoot with other people their age and even compete in tournaments. There are multiple JOAD (Junior Olympic Archery Development) groups in the Central Valley that meet once or twice a week so kids can practice shooting and even collect pins marking their improvement in the sport. Kids also have the chance to travel and compete in archery tournaments around the state. Even though you do not hear about archery very often, there are hundreds of children shooting in California. It is like you’re entering a whole new sporting world you didn’t even know was there. 

Here at FresYes, we love trying new things, it’s the only way to discover new hobbies and occupy our free time (which during the summer we all have way too much of). So next time you have a spare hour after work, grab your kids and head on over to one of Fresno’s archery shops and impress your friends and family with your new skill with a bow and arrow. 

By FresYes Guest Writers Gianna Triplett & Emma Farris

Mid-July truly marks the dog days of summer…and the dead days of Fresno. With the suffocating heat taking its toll on all of us, an escape is much needed. And what’s everyone’s favorite way to cool off? Ice cream, of course! We at FresYes have found the perfect source of chill under the blistering sun: Cherry On Top. 

A mobile ice cream truck providing nostalgic treats and beats to the Fresno area, Cherry On Top began its journey during the summer of last year and since opening for business, they have been bringing cool waves all around town. Remember those slightly creepy, beaten up ice cream trucks from your childhood? Well, it was one of those very mobile ice cream shops that inspired Kelley Menzes to create Cherry On Top. When she realized with disappointment that ice cream trucks aren’t what they used to be, the idea was born to bring back the same ice cream truck experiences she had growing up to today’s kids. 

In order to bring this idea to life, Menzes needed a truck of course. In true local spirit, she drove all around California looking for the perfect mobile, which turned out to be a formidable task. After months of scavenging her native state, she finally saw a basic white truck sitting in an empty field…and bought it immediately! The following months were devoted to renovations and innovations, as the truck, now lovingly named Cherry, became the cutest ride in the city. We’re not the only ones that think so, proven by the fact that Cherry On Top has gathered so many fans in such a short amount of time. The most devoted of fans, the “Cherry Chasers” as Menzes calls them, even follow the truck around town by checking their social media pages to find out where they’ll be. 

We were lucky enough to have Cherry visit our office last week as a surprise for our hard-working agents and staff. It was like a mini block party! With old-school popsicles and remixes of classic tunes floating around the parking lot, there were too many smiles and sweet treats to count despite the midday valley heat. We are so excited to see this local business take off and conquer Fresno!

To keep up with Cherry On Top and all its adventures around the city, or to request a special visit to your own neighborhood, check out their Instagram page @cherryontop559 or on Facebook. We know we’ll be “chasing Cherry” for some delicious treats all summer long!

By FresYes Guest Writer Emma Farris

There’s nothing quite like Old Town Clovis, is there? Its rich history, charming atmosphere, quaint architecture, not to mention the buzzing local-centric community. As a matter of fact, the focus on local businesses is probably my favorite thing about Old Town; and It seems as though I’m not the only one… A group of local artisans was so inspired by the Clovis community, they decided to create a place known as the Foundry Co-Operative. The “Co-Op” as it’s more commonly known, is a labor of love that houses the best craftsmen that the Central Valley has to offer. Art, home goods, jewelry, skincare products, and even food are on constant rotation in the store and it offers a space of maximum independence and creativity for local business owners.

What’s more, every first Saturday of the month, the Foundry hosts pop-up shops for artisans to get more exposure in their community. I grabbed a friend and took a trip to the Foundry building for their July pop-up last weekend, and we were quite impressed with not only the range of products available but the overall atmosphere. Set up like a mini farmer’s market, every open space is filled with locally-made goods all surrounding one huge community table. Just from walking around smelling the hand-made bath bombs and admiring the one-of-a-kind sea glass jewelry pieces, you can feel the kinship and pride radiating from each vendor. 

This month’s pop-up vendors included Casa De Gato Designs, Katie’s Gluten-Free Delights, Letus Garden, and Make Pie Not War, all of which offer unique services like custom art prints, permanent bracelets, and (free!) starter plants for your very own garden. The talent among these vendors was unbelievable! Since these amazing craftsmen don’t have their own brick-and-mortar stores to sell their goods, the pop-up provides a convenient opportunity that we would be lying if we said we didn’t take advantage of. 

Simply selling these goods is not all that the Co-Op does, however. The store also hosts frequent workshops where guests can learn one-on-one with the in-house vendors on how to make their favorite products. From painting and flower arranging to metal stamping and bible journaling, the Co-Op has a workshop for everyone. Their most recent ones include string-art, bath bomb-making, and designing table centerpieces. They all look so fun, based on their social media posts, and I have already signed up for one myself!

The Foundry Cooperative is located at 516 5th St. in Old Town Clovis and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 5 if you would like to get a glimpse of this unique collective. We highly encourage you to also check out their workshop and pop-up schedules on their website. You can also follow The Foundry Cooperative on social media to stay up to date with how they are bringing the Clovis community closer together each day.

By FresYes Guest Writer Gianna Triplett

As Fresnans, it is safe to say that we are all very well versed in the summer heat. With July in full swing and with temperatures rising to almost unbearable heights, it’s time for us to start taking some countermeasures against the beating sun.

You could always take a day trip to the beach or up to the lake, but packing gets real stressful real fast and gas is expensive. So why go through all the trouble of leaving town for a crowded beach when Fresno has our own escape right here in the Central Valley: Teazer World Tea Market.

Whether you like sweet drinks or plain black tea, Teazers has an ice-cold drink for everyone. From the infamous “Honolulu” to a lavender earl grey tea, these beverages are just what you need to enjoy and cool off from a long day under the sun; and they just became more accessible to Clovis residents.  

Sierra Vista Mall in Clovis is happy to welcome their newest resident, who is offering cool refreshments for hot and busy shoppers. Teazer’s recently opened their newest location next to Sakura Chaya, fans have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of refreshing iced drinks and quiet air-conditioned place to relax and hang out with friends during the day for months. 

Just like the other locations, the Sierra Vista Teazers not only serves numerous teas and their add-ins, but they also serve an assortment of delicious baked goods. But what makes this location stand out from the others are some upgrades to the seating area and to the service. Tea drinkers are freaking out over the new features that are now being offered at their favorite tea place, which are quickly turning the tea bar into a hotspot for meeting up with friends and sitting down to chat. These features include glass cups and pitchers for a more luxurious dine-in experience as well as a larger seating area which includes an upstairs lounge. 

Having the option of getting your drink in a to-go cup or glass and all the various seating options make customers feel more welcome to sit and drink instead of feeling like they immediately need to leave once they get their drink. The combination of brightly colored walls and art give the building a friendly vibe, Sierra Vista Teazers is great for gathering around your favorite people, drinking your favorite drink. 

Overall, Teazers is a wonderful new addition to Sierra Vista, welcoming many old fans as well as new customers to enjoy a fun day drinking tea and shopping in the nearby stores. Be sure to check it out and when you post your drink on social media use the hashtag #fresyesinsider so we can share!