The Melt to Open New Long Beach Location at Bixby Village Plaza

The former CVS at Seventh Street and Bellflower Boulevard won’t sit empty much longer. California-based fast-casual burger chain The Melt is moving into the space as part of the ongoing redevelopment at Bixby Village Plaza, Hoodline recently reported, and will occupy one of four restaurant spaces carved out of the larger retail footprint near California State University, Long Beach. The opening represents the first location in Long Beach for the chain, which operates 20+ units in California and Arizona.

According to The Long Beach Post, developer Westar Associates has finished construction on the new retail dining space, and The Melt is completing interior construction work. The plaza location draws steady daytime traffic from the university as well as the nearby Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center in one of the area’s more active commercial corridors.

The Long Beach expansion is a significant part of the brand’s broader Southern California expansion efforts. Earlier this year, The Melt announced plans to open eight new locations across the area, nearly doubling its SoCal footprint. It’s an aggressive growth strategy. And it follows a successful brand pivot led by CEO Ralph Bower, who continues to shift brand focus toward enhanced quality, including a proprietary burger blend of Angus and Wagyu beef and a melt-heavy menu that encourages high-frequency visits.

This redevelopment is a textbook case of how modern fast-casual brands are salvaging otherwise functionally obsolete big-box retailers. By carving out a specialized space, The Melt can focus on its "I Love It Here" service philosophy without the overhead or operational drag of a massive standalone building.

With signage already visible and kitchen equipment being moved in, the Bixby Village Plaza location is on track for its late summer debut. For Long Beach residents, it’s the arrival of a long-awaited comfort food staple. For the brand, it’s a major milestone in its journey to dominate the Southern California fast-casual landscape.