Three New Businesses Opening Soon in Mesa: Retail, Barbershop, and Grocery

# New Businesses Opening in Mesa: Retail, Barbershop, and Grocery Hit the Streets

Mesa’s business scene just got busier with three new openings approved this month. Cox Retail grabbed a spot at 2011 E University Drive, Suite 104, listed under “All Other General Merchandise Retailers.” Razors Beauty and Barbershop is setting up shop at 1762 S Greenfield Road, Suite 107. Meanwhile, a new retail grocery store got the green light at 5941 E McKellips Road. All permits came through during the last week of July 2026.

Cox Retail doesn’t exactly sound like a local favorite, but it’s a general merchandise store—expect a mix of household goods, odds and ends, and probably some things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them. Their new spot on University Drive sits in a strip that has seen more turnover than a diner grill. This stretch hosted everything from a short-lived frozen yogurt shop to a pet supply store that disappeared overnight. Let’s see if Cox Retail lasts longer than the usual six months.

Razors Beauty and Barbershop on S Greenfield Road looks like a safer bet. Barbershops are staples, especially in Mesa’s south side neighborhoods where community ties run deep. They got their permit on July 27, so the buildout probably starts soon. They’ll need to move fast if they want to beat the competition since that area already has at least four barbershops within a mile radius. One has been running since 1998, so Razors better bring something fresh—either a killer fade or a better playlist.

Then there’s the retail grocery at McKellips Road. This one matters. Grocery stores don’t pop up every day, especially outside the usual supermarket chains. This spot might fill a gap for residents tired of driving to bigger stores in Gilbert or Tempe. The permit came through on July 24. The location isn’t new to retail, but the last grocery store there closed a couple of years ago, leaving a weird hole in the neighborhood. If they stock shelves with what people want and keep prices reasonable, this one could stick around longer than the last place.

Opening a new business in Mesa isn’t easy. The city throws plenty of hoops—zoning rules that feel like a maze and inspections that often show up at the worst moments. Plus, competition is fierce. Still, these three businesses show some confidence in Mesa’s local economy, even if the business climate can be unpredictable.

For locals, these openings mean more options: a haircut, a one-stop shop for random stuff, or a fresh grocery alternative. For the owners, the grind is just starting. Permits are the first step. Now comes the buildout, hiring, and hoping foot traffic matches expectations.

If you’re passing by University Drive, Greenfield Road, or McKellips Road in the next few months, keep an eye out. One of these might become your new favorite—or at least a place you stop by when the usual spots let you down. If not, Mesa’s track record suggests someone else will try their luck soon enough.