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Category: Business

  • Four large development projects, proposals to watch in Citrus Heights this year

    A 95-home community has been proposed on the northwestern portion of Sylvan Corners, and a 16,000-square-foot church building has been proposed nearby off Old Auburn Road. // Images compiled by M. Hazlip

    By Mike Hazlip—
    Major development proposals and projects in Citrus Heights to keep an eye on in 2023 include a mix of commercial and residential projects in various areas of the city.

    Sunrise Tomorrow. The city’s flagship project, Sunrise Tomorrow, is poised to welcome new development this year with an application under review showing the footprint of a hotel at the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane, city documents show.

    Commercial real estate investor Ethan Conrad is also seeking to attract tenants or buyers for the former Sears buildings and acres of surrounding parking lots that he acquired in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to a listing on commercial real estate site LoopNet.

    Related:City says developer considering hotel at Sunrise and Greenback

    Hurdles remain, however, with Conrad suggesting more flexibility in the city’s approved plan. In an email to The Sentinel last month, Conrad said he would like to see the plan modified “so that as much of the existing buildings can be retained as much as possible, versus demolishing all of the existing buildings and constructing new buildings, which will be very costly and may not be feasible.”

    Citrus Grove.  Another highly visible project is the Citrus Grove shopping center at Auburn Boulevard near Interstate 80. The former Studio Movie Grill site has seen interest from another theater, according to a previous report by The Sentinel. Leasing materials list the site as unavailable, with “Theater coming soon” noted on the brochure, last updated in September 2022.

    Citrus Grove anchor tenant Big Lots recently shuttered its doors in January, leaving another vacant commercial space in the shopping center. Across the street, the city is also reviewing a proposal to demolish a liquor story and construct a new Starbucks.

    Related: Citrus Heights coffee drive-thru closes amid plans for new Starbucks

    Sunrise Village. The Sunrise Village redevelopment has been underway since demolition of the former Benihana restaurant in March of 2021.

    The center is poised to welcome new tenant City Sports Club and an unnamed grocery tenant that sources say could be an Amazon Fresh. City Sports is set to begin work on interior tenant improvements before officially opening the location.

    Sylvan Corners. Two new projects could transform Sylvan Corners. Woodside Homes is planning a 95-home community on the site where Sylvan Middle School once stood, on the northwestern corner of the intersection.

    Related: What’s happening with the plan to build 95 homes at Sylvan Corners?

    The proposal calls for 70 traditional single-family homes and 25 lots with an alley entrance to the garage. Those 25 homes will face outward toward Auburn Boulevard in an effort to increase the curb appeal of the busy thoroughfare. Plans on the city’s website show 81 homes would be market-rate, while 14 are shown as affordable units.

    Just east of the Woodside Homes development is a proposal for a new 16,000-square-foot church along Old Auburn Road. The Mission Rock of Salvation plans to develop an existing lot with a facility that includes a 351-seat sanctuary, a lobby, a coffee and snack area, and offices.

  • The story behind this huge wall mural in Citrus Heights

    A mural on the side of the PetSmart building on Sunrise Boulevard can be seen by passersby. // CH Sentinel

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Thanks to grants from the city and other sources, several murals now grace the walls of the Sunrise MarketPlace business district in Citrus Heights, including a large mural spanning one of the walls of PetSmart.

    The “destination” mural was painted by artist Jon Hamrick, during a Wide Open Walls mural festival, according to Wide Open Walls Founder David Sobon.

    The mural, which spans the back wall of PetSmart on Sunrise Boulevard, features the head of an eagle, a Fibonacci Spiral, and “DESTINATION” in all caps against a backdrop of black, blue, violet, red, orange and yellow stripes that resemble a sunset.

    “Its title and eagle imagery represent strong hope of future of culture for the city, while representing the beauty in nature that surrounds us and what we must do to protect it for future generations,” Sobon said in an email to The Sentinel, adding that the location for the mural was chosen for its visibility in a prime business district, and high visibility along the Arcade-Cripple Creek bike path that is currently under construction.

    Related: Citrus Heights celebrates start of new 2.9-mile trail project

    According to Fibonacci.com, the Fibonacci sequence of numbers following a curved angle creates a spiral, which can be seen in multiple natural phenomena such as hurricanes and galaxies. The Fibonacci spiral is commonly incorporated in art and architecture.

    Sobon said that the design focused on the “eye for the future” and took Hamrick one month to complete. The artist dedicated the mural to his father, who passed around that time.

    Hamrick has painted multiple murals throughout California, and photos of his art can be seen on his Instagram page, including an aerial view of the destination mural.

    Wide Open Walls was first conceived in 2016 as the Sacramento Mural Festival. According to the nonprofit’s website, Wide Open Walls promotes “diversity through artistic expression.”

    Hamrick’s mural is among several that were painted in 2021 and 2022 in the Sunrise MarketPlace, according to previous Sentinel reports.

  • New activity appears outside vacant Citrus Heights restaurant building

    Signs for a seafood buffet have appeared outside the former China Buffet location in Citrus Heights. // M. Hazlip

    By Mike Hazlip—
    A long-vacant restaurant building formerly home to China Buffet on Sunrise Boulevard has new signage announcing a seafood buffet is coming soon, but details remain scant.

    One banner announcing the new buffet hangs at the building and another is placed along Sunrise Boulevard visible to traffic, near El Tapatio Family Mexican Restaurant.

    No activity could be seen at the location during a visit by Sentinel staff on Monday, and an on-duty manager at El Tapatio told The Sentinel she was not aware of any communication from anyone related to the business, or any future plans.

    Sunrise MarketPlace Executive Director Kathilynn Carpenter told The Sentinel a new restaurant is planning to open at the location, but could not give any specific information.

    The Sentinel previously reported the site was the focal point of a controversial move to potentially open a gas station and car wash in the area. El Tapatio manager Hector Alcazar told The Sentinel at the time he would oppose automotive related uses of the site, preferring to see more dining options in the Sunrise Marketplace district.

    The issue came before the City Council during an October meeting last year. Several council members expressed reservations about telling private property owners what they could and couldn’t do with their property, but ultimately sided with the city’s vision and feedback from residents.

    The council voted 5-0 in favor of making the Sunrise MarketPlace business improvement district a destination-spot for diners and shoppers. The approved overlay ban restricts five specific uses within the Sunrise MarketPlace, mostly dealing with auto-intensive uses, but including a prohibition on any new personal storage facilities.

    The building has been vacant since the former China Buffet closed its doors in 2018.

  • New dance studio opens in Citrus Heights

    Phoenix Dance Institute opened in January at 7086 Auburn Blvd. // S. Williams

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    Phoenix Dance Institute officially opened its doors last month on the corner of Auburn Boulevard and Sylvan Road, offering ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and other dance classes.

    Angela Barker

    The institute opened on Jan. 2, 2023, according to an email from owner and dance instructor Angela Barker. On the dance studio’s website, Barker writes in her bio that she began dancing at the age of three at the Sylvan Dance Studio in Citrus Heights.

    She excelled at dance, trained in multiple methods of ballet, and began teaching her own classes at age 14. In 2011, Barker returned to Citrus Heights and continued to teach at Citrus Heights Dance Academy as co-director, and in 2020, at Premiere School of Dance, as the owner and director, along with a partner. She also led a ballet company.

    With the opening of Phoenix Dance Institute, Barker says her lifelong dream of owning her own dance studio has now come true.

    According to the institute’s website, the studio offers an environment of “excitement, energy, love, acceptance and encouragement,” and strives for a family-like atmosphere. The studio offers classes for all ages and experience levels, from preschool to adult.

    Along with children’s classes, Phoenix Dance Institute offers selected classes for adults in beginning, intermediate and advanced, including “Wedding 1st Dance” classes and “Silver Swan” classes, which are geared toward seniors. Free trial classes and 30 and 60 minute private lessons are also available.

    Phoenix Dance Institute is located at 7086 Auburn Blvd.

  • Musical comedy’s final showing this weekend in Citrus Heights

    Musical comedy’s final showing this weekend in Citrus Heights

    Theatre in the Heights is located at 8215 Auburn Blvd., in Citrus Heights. // S. Williams

    Sentinel staff report–
    Theatre in the Heights this weekend will host it final performances of the award-winning 2005 Broadway production “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

    Performances are slated for Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., and Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets appear to be sold out online, but may be available by phone.

    The musical features “an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime,” according to a description on the community theatre’s website. The show is described as fast-paced and “wildly funny,” written by Rachel Sheinkin.

    The play drew controversy this year in Ohio when a school board initially voted to cancel the production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, deeming it “vulgar” and not “family-friendly,” according to MSN.com The play includes a song called “My Unfortunate Erection,” which has drawn criticism, although an alternate version of the song is offered for high school performances.

    Theatre in the Heights is located at 8215 Auburn Blvd., Suite G, in Citrus Heights. More information is available at www.theatreintheheights.com.

  • Citrus Heights music school sings new tune

    Citrus Heights music school sings new tune

    Michael Hemsworth stands inside the newly rebranded Newsongs Lafitte Music Center in Citrus Heights. // M. Hazlip

    By Mike Hazlip—
    Lafitte Music Center opened its doors in Citrus Heights about seven years ago, and now the original owner, Jordane Lafitte, is taking a rest from the business to pursue other interests.

    The show will go on for the school with Michael Hemsworth of NewSongs School of Music taking over the business. The Elk Grove-based NewSongs announced the move in a Jan. 22 notice, saying Lafitte reached out about the opportunity for a merger.

    “When I was ready to sell, there was only one person I wanted to sell to,” Lafitte told The Sentinel in a Jan. 28 interview, saying she knew Hemsworth had “the same mindset” and would continue the school as she had envisioned. “I’m happy for the students, for the families, for the teachers, for myself, for him. I think it’s great.”

    Hemsworth said he plans to preserve the name by incorporating it with his business calling it “NewSongs Lafitte Music Center,” he said. The transaction became official on Wednesday, Feb. 1. Citrus Heights will be the first location outside of Elk Grove, he said.

    “We’re always looking to expand because I want more kids to have access to good music education, no matter how big we grow, it’s never enough,” Hemsworth said. “We weren’t looking to this area specifically, but with Jordane wanting to move on to other projects, this school had such a wonderful culture and environment and teaching staff that we really felt like we could come in and serve this population by helping keep that alive.”

    With NewSongs marking two decades in business this year, Hemsworth said music gives students a chance to communicate and connect with others. The business name comes from the idea that students are creating something new in the creative process of making music.

    “You’re creating something original every time you play music,” Hemsworth said. “I believe every student is an original, every student has something unique to themselves to bring out to the world and that’s what we want for them.”

    In a parting social media announcement after the school’s 56th concert in more than six years, Lafitte said the school is in good hands.

    “Thank you so much, students and families for all your support, helping build the musical community, all the concerts we’ve done, even the ones we did remotely during Covid, the wonderful memories, and all the love. I will miss you all,” Lafitte said.

    The music center in Citrus Heights is located at 8089 Madison Ave., Suite #6.

  • Citrus Heights business district to be reimbursed with $100k in ARPA funds

    Sunrise Marketplace in Citrus Heights. // Image credit: Sunrise MarketPlace

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    The Sunrise MarketPlace is slated to soon receive $100,000 in reimbursements for public safety and maintenance expenses, thanks to an allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from Sacramento County at the direction of Supervisor Sue Frost.

    According to Sunrise MarketPlace Executive Director Kathilynn Carpenter, the funds were utilized in 2022, with expenses including funding of a dedicated Citrus Heights police officer in the district, as well as private armed security. A portion of the funds also went towards a part-time porter service which helps to remove illegally dumped debris, clean graffiti, and return misplaced shopping carts.

    The MarketPlace represents hundreds of businesses in the Sunrise-Greenback commercial corridor, primarily funded by a property tax assessment on businesses in the district.

    Signed into law on Mar. 11, 2021, the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act allocated $350 billion funding for state and local governments. According to saccounty.net,
    Sacramento County received a total of $301.4 million in ARPA funding in two installments, with 50 percent ($150 million) provided beginning in May 2021 and the total balance delivered approximately 12 months later.

    The county’s website says funds can be used to “support public health expenditures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, address negative economic impacts caused by the public health emergency, serve low income communities and individuals, families and businesses hardest-hit by the pandemic, invest in necessary improvements to water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.” Subsequent guidelines released by the Treasury Department allowed for broader discretion by entities in use of the first $10 million in funds received.

    Related: City says broad use of federal COVID rescue funds now allowed

    In 2022, the Sunrise MarketPlace also received a $5,000 grant from the City of Citrus Heights to assist with the cost of murals in the district. In May of 2022, the MarketPlace commissioned at least three wall murals using some of the funds, two in the Marketplace at Birdcage, and one at PetSmart, all painted by artists participating in a Wide Open Walls project.

    Related: More marketplace murals take over walls in Citrus Heights

    In 2023, to date, the MarketPlace was awarded $30,000 in grants from SMUD for business attraction and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) efforts. CPTED is intended to prevent crime on properties through the use of additional lighting and security cameras, landscape changes, locking electrical outlets, and hose bibs.

    SMUD Shine grants are available to incorporated nonprofit organizations and awards fall into four categories: social well being, healthy environment, prosperous economy and mobility.

    This year, Carpenter said the MarketPlace plans to apply for a Transient Occupancy Tax grant (TOT) through Sacramento County and an economic development grant from the city of Citrus Heights.

  • 16,000-square-foot church proposed near Sylvan Corners

    A church building has been proposed to be constructed at 7144 Auburn Blvd., near Sylvan Corners. // Image compiled by M. Hazlip

    By Mike Hazlip—
    Construction of a large, new church building has been proposed on Old Auburn Road, city documents show.

    The facility, proposed by the Mission Rock of Salvation Church, would occupy parcels totaling about two acres of land near Sylvan Corners, with access from both Old Auburn Road and Auburn Boulevard. If approved, the sanctuary would seat 351 people, and plans include a lobby, coffee and snack area, and offices.

    Entrance and exit routes along Old Auburn Road and Auburn Boulevard provide traffic flow to parking spaces along the north and east side of the facility, according to the site plan. The city is currently reviewing the plans.

    The 15,897-square-foot building would have metal siding and decorative columns, plans show. Stucco exterior is also described. Site work would include improvements for accessibility, walkways, underground utilities, and landscaping among other improvements.

    Pastor Angel Nolasco told The Sentinel in 2017 that he planned to improve the heavily-trafficked site that was once home to several boarded-up buildings. The buildings belonged to the property owner and were left abandoned after his death.

    Former Citrus Heights History and Arts Commissioner Larry Fritz previously told The Sentinel the two homes purchased by Nolasco’s ministry are located on what was originally known as Aiston Ranch. He said the Aiston family sold the property to the Trainor-Desmond Company, who then subdivided the land in 1910 and named the area “Citrus Heights.”

    The two homes were eventually purchased by the Rohland family, who have a long history in Citrus Heights. Fritz said a 1960 phone directory lists one of the homes as the address of Duke Rohland, who was president and manager of Sylvan Lumber.

    The lumber company was located around the corner at 7200 Auburn Blvd., where Sylvan Supply Fabrication currently operates, and bordered the back of Rohland’s home. Fritz said that meant Rohland and his wife, the company’s bookkeeper, “could walk to work through their back yard and keep an eye on their business at night.”

    The homes remained in the Rohland family name until being acquired by the church in 2016.

    Near the proposed church is another proposal for a 95-home residential development by Woodside Homes. The proposal calls for 70 traditional single-family homes and 25 lots with an alley entrance to the garage.

    Homes on the 25 lots are proposed to face outward toward Auburn Boulevard in an effort to increase the curb appeal of the busy thoroughfare. City plans show 84 homes would be market-rate, while 14 are shown as affordable units.

    Related: What’s happening with the plan to build 95 homes at Sylvan Corners?

  • Sunrise Mall loses another longtime tenant

    The Bath & Body Works store inside Sunrise Mall has closed. // M. Hazlip

    By Mike Hazlip—
    Another national brand that was a tenant at Sunrise Mall has vacated their suite.

    Bath & Body Works occupied a suite near Macy’s for decades, but exterior lettering has now been removed and the windows are papered from the inside. A note posted to the closed entrance reads “Store is now closed. Thank you for many wonderful years!” The note is dated Jan. 22, 2023.

    Sunrise MarketPlace Executive Director Kathilynn Carpenter could not confirm reasons for the closure.

    Bath & Body Works was once part of L Brands along with Victoria’s Secret. In an Aug. 2, 2021 release, L Brands announced the separation from Victoria’s Secret, consolidating the brand under the Bath & Body Works title.

    The Ohio-based company reported $1.6 billion in sales for the third quarter of 2022, a 5 percent decrease compared to the third quarter of 2021.

    The Sunrise Mall location survived a round of closures the company announced in 2020 that shuttered 50 locations in the U.S. and one in Canada. The company has not released any announcements of store closures since 2020.

    While the mall saw the closures of several tenants last year, it also saw the opening of a toy shop, jewelry store, and a tech store. A West African cuisine and a performing arts nonprofit also opened at Sunrise Mall in 2022.

    Related: 22 businesses that opened in Citrus Heights in 2022

    The city’s long-term plan for Sunrise Mall includes guiding redevelopment of the nearly 100-acre site to include adding up to 2,200 multi-family residential units, along with 480 hotel rooms, 320,000-square-feet of retail, 960,000-square-feet of office/employment use, and 450,000-square-feet of community or institutional space.

    In December, the city submitted an application for a $10 million housing-related state grant that would go towards infrastructure at Sunrise Mall. If approved, funds would go to support infill development on the mall site, paying for frontage improvements, utilities, intersection upgrades and transit-related improvements.

    The city’s plan to guide development at the mall requires partnership with private developers to become a reality, but the city has been pursuing efforts to fund infrastructure needs at the site and make the plan more attractive to developers.

    According to the city, the first phase of the plan will likely involve developing unused parking areas over the next five years, with the full plan expected to take 20 years. The second phase will likely incorporate office space, retail, dining, and an extended-stay hotel. The third and final phases include redeveloping the existing mall into a new “21st Century Main Street.”

  • New burgers and brews restaurant opens at Sylvan Corners

    Rock Hard Burgers & Brew is now open at 7032 Sylvan Rd., in Citrus Heights. // M. Hazlip

    By Mike Hazlip—
    A new bar and burger restaurant is now open at Sylvan Corners, replacing the former Beer Dogs eatery that had occupied the space since 2016.

    Bartender Janson Diaz told The Sentinel on Saturday that Rock Hard Burgers and Brew has a new staff and menu under new owner Rocky Moffitt. Moffitt also owns Rocky’s 7440 Club on Auburn Boulevard along with other locations in the area, Diaz said.

    A report from Sacramento Business Journal shows Moffitt has partnered with Tom Romeo, who owns the shopping center where the restaurant is located. Romeo is also founder and CEO of the Bearpaw footwear company and was a partner in Beer Dogs, according to the report.

    Related: Bearpaw CEO forsees rebirth of Auburn Boulevard

    The business announced a soft opening on Jan. 20, with a full bar, 12 tap brews, and more than 40 different bottled beers and wines. The menu offers sports bar staples such as mac and cheese, pizza, sandwiches, and hamburgers. Prices range from just under $7 for items on the kid’s menu to about $16 for a burger with fries.

    Rock Hard Burgers and Brew has also taken over the social media account from Beer Dogs, rebranding it with their logo and photos of the restaurant’s interior.

    Diaz said the kitchen will operate from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. with a closing time of about 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The restaurant will be closed Mondays, he said.

    Also on The Sentinel: Bearpaw buys up two more commercial plazas on Auburn Blvd; here’s why