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First new restaurant to open in April at remodeled center on Sunrise Blvd

Citrus Heights, restaurants
At least three new eateries will be opening at the new Alta Sunrise retail center in Citrus Heights. // CH Sentinel

Sentinel staff report–
At least three new restaurants are slated to open at a newly remodeled retail center on Sunrise Boulevard in Citrus Heights, with PizzaRev Taproom being the first to publicize a grand opening date of April 12. Dos Coyotes Border Cafe is targeting an opening date in May, and Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt recently signed a lease to take up one of two remaining storefronts at the new center.

Rick Martinez, a senior vice president with CBRE Sacramento, told The Sentinel last week that the center is still seeking an additional tenant to occupy a 1,500-square-foot storefront next to the existing Nation’s Giant Hamburgers restaurant. He said a “non-food, high-identity retail use” is being sought for the spot.

The Alta Sunrise Retail Center at 5450 Sunrise Blvd. is owned by the Cordano Company, which recently completed an extensive face-lift on the center in an effort to update the aging appearance and better accommodate restaurant tenants and improve rent values. The remodel, which began last January, included reducing the building’s size by cutting back the front of the structure to allow room for a new outside dining plaza. An adjacent medical building’s facade was also updated to complement the aesthetic of the remodeled plaza.

Prior to the remodel, the center had the appearance of a 1970s strip mall and was home to “Organize It,” International Imports, and a sports bar.

A look inside the windows at the center on Friday indicated PizzaRev had nearly completed all interior improvements, with ample seating, a large area towards the front for beers on tap, and necessary kitchen equipment ready to go for the grand opening next month — a date confirmed by PizzaRev Franchise Development Manager Emily Schade on Friday. The Southern California-based franchise is known for its “3-minute” pizzas that are custom-made-to-order in front of the customer, similar to ordering at Subway.

Although the exterior remodel of the building is complete, the adjacent Dos Coyotes location appears to have a significant amount of work remaining inside, with crews observed installing sheetrock and customizing the interior layout on Friday. A phone call to the company’s Davis headquarters on Friday confirmed plans for the popular southwestern restaurant to open in May.

Related: Dos Coyotes owner looks forward to opening new Citrus Heights restaurant

The remaining two storefronts still await tenant improvements to begin, including the future site of Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, which is still bare and open inside. An email response from a franchise representative on Saturday did not include an estimated opening date for the new yogurt shop.

Before/After: Remember how this Citrus Heights strip mall used to look?

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