Former Victorville Restaurant Site Eyes Retail Redevelopment

The property formerly housing El Tio Pepe may soon be transformed into a multi-tenant retail space by 2027.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Commercial

Bold vector editorial illustration of a skeletal architectural framework, representing the planned commercial retail development on a vacant site. — A vacant lot in Victorville, California, formerly home to El Tio Pepe, is slated for potential redevelopment into a multi-tenant retail center by 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The 15,439-square-foot building at the corner of Bear Valley and Amargosa roads in Victorville is currently listed for lease. Signage on the site suggests a potential project that could replace the long-vacant structure with various retail businesses.

Why it matters

The development represents a significant shift for a prime corner lot that has sat abandoned for nearly four years. Converting the site into a multi-use retail hub could bring new services and commercial density to the area.

The property measures 15,439 square feet, with proposed individual shop spaces ranging from 1,200 to 1,500 square feet. Marketing materials suggest potential tenants could include an AT&T, FedEx, bank, nail salon, coffee shop, and pizzeria.

The players

Nathan Haw

He is a real estate professional with Triton Real Estate who is currently managing the lease listing for the property.

Triton Real Estate

This is the firm responsible for marketing the commercial property for new retail development.

Carmen Marquez Rosales

She was the founder of the original El Tio Pepe restaurant who died in 2021 at the age of 85.

The details

Renderings displayed at the site indicate plans to replace the structure, which was built in the mid-1980s and once housed the popular El Tio Pepe restaurant. Nathan Haw with Triton Real Estate is managing the leasing effort for the potential multi-retail project.

December 1986 marked the original opening of El Tio Pepe.
The restaurant moved to a new location in 2022.
The building has remained abandoned for nearly four years.
A potential new retail development is slated for 2027.

Culture Shift

This project reflects the broader shift toward redeveloping aging suburban commercial plots into high-density, multi-tenant retail hubs. It highlights a move away from large, single-purpose structures toward versatile spaces designed for multiple service-oriented businesses.

Residents may see the removal of a long-standing, abandoned building at a major local intersection if the 2027 redevelopment moves forward. The project could eventually provide new access to services like banking, dining, and shipping within the community.

The takeaway

The transformation of vacant local landmarks can signal shifting economic priorities in a community. Residents interested in the area's development should track updates regarding demolition permits to see if the proposed retail timeline remains on target.