Mesa Welcomes Three New Businesses: Cox Retail, Razors Beauty, and a Grocery Store

# Mesa Welcomes Three New Businesses, Because Apparently It Needs More Places to Spend Your Paycheck

Mesa’s retail scene just got a bit busier with three new businesses snagging permits this month, all aiming to open before the summer heat finally lets up. Here’s what’s coming:

- **Cox Retail** took 2011 E University Dr, Suite 104. The permit lists it under “All Other General Merchandise Retailers,” which usually means they sell everything except the kitchen sink. No word on the exact inventory yet, but since it’s in the college corridor, expect something aimed at students and locals grabbing essentials. Permit issued July 30, 2026.

- Down south at 1762 S Greenfield Rd, Suite 107, **Razors Beauty and Barbershop** is gearing up. Permit went through July 27. Barbershops aren’t rare in Mesa, but Razors is betting on combining beauty services with traditional cuts. The nearby shopping centers mean competition is stiff—Razors will need more than just beard oil and fades to survive.

- At 5941 E McKellips Rd, a **Retail Grocery** store permit was approved July 24. This isn’t a convenience store; it looks like a full supermarket or close to it. McKellips has hosted a few grocery attempts lately, with mixed results. Whoever’s behind this one faces the challenge of pulling customers from big chains like Fry’s and Safeway without getting crushed on price.

Cox Retail: Mystery Store on University Drive

If you’ve driven University Drive, you’ve noticed the retail shuffle between McDonald’s and the college. Cox Retail’s new spot could fill a gap. But “All Other General Merchandise Retailers” is a broad label. This could mean anything from discount housewares to tech gadgets or a strange mix of both.

The buildout cost remains under wraps, but judging by the area, they might be targeting people stocking up on off-brand snacks and random stuff. The real hurdle will be parking. University Drive turns into a parking nightmare after 4 p.m., so impulse shopping might be a gamble.

Razors Beauty and Barbershop: More Than Just Haircuts?

Barbershops line Greenfield Road, but Razors hopes the beauty-barbershop combo will attract a wider crowd. Maybe it’s a place where classic barber vibes meet Instagram-ready styling chairs.

This strip mall has seen salons and grooming spots come and go, some closing within months. Razors will have to deliver sharp cuts or offer something unusual—maybe a whiskey lounge or vintage chairs—to last longer than the last tenant.

Retail Grocery on McKellips: Another Grocery Store?

Supermarkets on McKellips have tried to find their place between big chains and discount stores. This permit suggests someone wants a slice of that grocery pie, which isn’t a terrible idea—Mesa’s population keeps growing, and neighborhoods north of McKellips don’t have many options.

Still, opening a grocery store is a tough gig. Margins are thin, and competition is fierce. If this store tries to be a mini Whole Foods or a no-frills discount spot, it might survive but won’t dominate. McKellips gets foot traffic, but it’s not a grocery destination. This store will have to convince shoppers to change their habits.

What’s Next?

Mesa’s retail market is filling in gaps, but none of these new spots looks like an instant winner. Cox Retail’s mystery inventory might pull curious customers, Razors faces a crowded barbershop scene, and the grocery store has a tough road ahead. Still, empty storefronts are worse. At least these businesses are betting on Mesa’s growth instead of running for the hills.

Driving by University or Greenfield? Keep an eye out. One of these places might surprise you—or at least give you a solid haircut while you wait for the next one to flop.