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Category: Business

  • Planning Commission to hold public hearing on car wash, gas station ban

    Planning Commission to hold public hearing on car wash, gas station ban

    By Phillip Pesola–
    A public hearing will be held Wednesday at City Hall in Citrus Heights regarding a proposed zoning code amendment that would ban new gas stations and other auto-focused businesses within the Sunrise MarketPlace business district.

    A staff report prepared by the city’s Planning Division outlines reasons for, and details of, the proposed zoning overlay. A zoning overlay is a tool used to modify the provisions of the zoning code for a particular area, without rezoning the land.

    If approved, the zoning overlay would prohibit new gas stations, major and minor vehicle services, personal storage, and transportation businesses from opening within the area. Existing businesses would be able to continue operating, including when ownership is transferred, and they would also be allowed to expand after obtaining the required permits.

    The overlay would cover the commercial areas within the Sunrise MarketPlace, which roughly extend along Sunrise Boulevard from Madison Avenue to just north of Greenback Lane, as well as a portion of Greenback Lane from Birdcage Street to Fair Oaks Boulevard. A map of the overlay area is available on the city’s website.

    City staff reached out to neighborhood associations in Citrus Heights and received feedback in support from CHASEN, SOAR, Sunrise Ranch, and Birdcage Heights regarding the proposal.

    The proposal was also presented to the Sunrise MarketPlace board of directors and the Citrus Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce. At the time that the staff report was published, neither organization had officially made a statement in support or in opposition of the overlay.

    Sunrise MarketPlace Executive Director Kathilynn Carpenter said in an email to The Sentinel that the SMP board “was unable to come to a consensus on the Overlay Ban,” but encouraged the city to help owners of vacant properties find acceptable uses, if specific uses are restricted.

    The Planning Commission staff report states that the change is meant to support the vision of the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan. It explains that air quality, noise, traffic, and other impacts of auto-focused businesses could negatively impact the long-term economic growth of the area, and that the limited available space should be used for furthering the plan’s goals.

    The Planning Commission is scheduled to review the proposal during their public meeting at 6360 Fountain Square Drive at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28, during which members of the community are welcome to express their opinions. In order for final approval, the item must also be sent to City Council for a vote.

    The proposed text of the zoning overlay has now been released on the city’s website and is viewable by clicking here. Comments regarding the zoning proposal can be directed to the Planning Division by sending an email to planning@citrusheights.net, or by calling (916) 727-4740.

  • Latest tenant confirmed for Citrus Heights center under renovation

    The shopping center on the northwest corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Madison Avenue is currently under major renovation.

    By Mike Hazlip—
    A new eatery concept known as a “micro food hall” is slated to open in a shopping center currently under renovation in Citrus Heights.

    San Francisco-based Local Kitchens is listed as a tenant in the Sunrise Village center, according to recent marketing information posted by commercial property firm Merlone Geier Partners. The 2,030-square-foot suite is in a separate building shared with Little Caesar’s.

    Local Kitchens offers dishes from multiple local restaurants all on one tab that customers can pick up in person, or have delivered. The San Francisco-based business lists eight locations throughout Northern California and the Bay Area, with a ninth location in Mill Valley listed as “coming soon.” A Citrus Heights location would be the tenth for the business.

    The food is prepared at Local Kitchens using recipes from nearby eateries, according to a report by KCRA 3 on the opening of a Roseville business location.

    The company has been expanding in the greater Sacramento region, opening in Roseville earlier this year. That location offers 124 dishes from nine restaurants, according to Local Kitchens’ website.

    Some locations offer dine-in seating, while others are take-out only.

    The shopping center at the northwest corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Madison Avenue has seen ongoing development beginning last year with JoAnn’s moving into a new space at the center last March. The middle section of the center that was formerly home to JoAnn Fabrics is now under construction with much of the parking lot fenced off and heavy equipment at the site.

    A new unconfirmed grocery store will also join several new tenants in the renovated Sunrise Village shopping plaza. According to leasing information, a new City Sports gym will also be occupying a 36,000-square-foot space next to Rite Aid, although an opening date has not been announced.

  • Greenback Lane tire shop listed for sale at $2.8M

    Greenback Tires & Wheels is located at 7501 Greenback Ln., in Citrus Heights. // M. Hazlip

    By Mike Hazlip—
    A Citrus Heights tire shop along Greenback Lane is on the market for $2.8 million, according to commercial real estate listing site LoopNet.

    The 3,080-square-foot building at 7501 Greenback Ln. is home to Greenback Tires and Wheels and the listing says the current owner is “moving on to other ventures.” A description of the offering says it is “an opportune time for an enthusiastic buyer to acquire a profitable turnkey business in the automotive service industry.”

    Commercial real estate broker Narinder Singh told The Sentinel in a phone call Wednesday he sees potential interest from another automotive business, or the site could possibly appeal to Starbucks, although he has not been approached by the coffee chain giant.

    The site features a second story that could be used for a private office, meeting room, or apartment, the listing says.

    The owner of Greenback Tires and Wheels could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

  • Windows smashed at Citrus Heights restaurant for second time

    A photo taken Sept. 19 shows boarded up windows at Fukumi Ramen, at 5410 Sunrise Blvd. // M. Hazlip

    By Mike Hazlip—
    A Japanese noodle restaurant on Sunrise Boulevard over the weekend became the target of vandalism once again, with an individual breaking every window from the exterior of the building.

    From June: Citrus Heights restaurant latest target of vandalism in area

    Fukumi Ramen, located at 5410 Sunrise Blvd. near Madison Avenue, had its windows shattered about 3 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, according to shift leader Calvin Alford. Security cameras captured a masked male breaking all the windows around the building that the restaurant shares with Max Muscle Nutrition. The windows on the Max Muscle side of the building remained untouched.

    Alford said the individual’s mask covered most of his face, but described the man as having “pale complexion with dark brown eyebrows.”

    Citrus Heights Police Lt. Wesley Herman told The Sentinel in an email Monday that police are aware of the incident and are actively investigating it. He did not provide further details.

    The restaurant installed a security camera system after a previous incident in June where someone broke the bottom portion of several windows, Alford said. The prior incident caused around $28,000 in damage.

    “We just got it fixed,” he said. “We just got the windows fixed, and now we have to get all of them done again.”

    There are no clear suspects, and Alford said he is not aware of any disgruntled employees or customers.

    “I don’t know why we got hit again,” he said, acknowledging that the incident could be racially motivated. “Honestly, probably, at this point since it’s happened so often.”

    The restaurant was closed Monday because of a problem with the water line to the building, but re-opened later that afternoon for take-out orders, according to Alford. He plans to continue offering take-out orders until the damage is repaired.

    Fukumi Ramen has two other restaurants in Roseville and Folsom. While Alford said the tip jar was stolen recently at the Roseville restaurant, the Citrus Heights location is the only restaurant that has been vandalized.

    Related: Citrus Heights police identify ‘person of interest’ in vandalism incidents

    The Sentinel previously reported a similar act targeting Mountain Mike’s pizza at 7777 Sunrise Blvd. on May 8. Dalvir Singh Brar, owner of the restaurant, said it appeared to be a targeted act and nothing was reported stolen.

    Multiple windows were previously broken at Asian and Cajun 2, located just outside the city limit at Fair Oaks Boulevard and Greenback Lane. Restaurant owner Raymond Saechao told The Sentinel surveillance camera video showed two individuals used a hammer to break several windows at about 4 a.m. on June 11. He said both individuals had their faces covered and could not be identified.

  • Naija Cuisine brings tastes of West Africa to Sunrise Mall

    Naija Cuisine brings tastes of West Africa to Sunrise Mall

    Adeola Adedayo and Mo Rahmon serve West African fare at Naija Cusine, the newest restaurant to open in the Sunrise Mall food court. // M. Hazlip

    By Mike Hazlip—
    A West African cuisine restaurant is the latest business to open in the largely vacant food court of Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights.

    Naija Cuisine had previously operated out of a “ghost kitchen” next to Yalla Yalla bakery at 7800 Sunrise Blvd., but owner Adeola Adedayo said customer demand prompted her decision to move to the Sunrise Mall food court.

    “At the ghost kitchen, there was no room for my customers to sit down and eat their meals,” she said, referring to the commercial kitchen space she rented part-time for preparing to-go meals and catering orders. “Most of my dishes the customers want to enjoy right away; they don’t want something to take home.”

    Adedayo called her new location “very good” for business, saying she’s seen a lot of traffic coming through the food court. She says some of that traffic is customers looking for fufu, a West African staple made from pounded root vegetables such as yams. It is difficult to find in the West, and Adedayo says the fufu she serves has gone viral on social media.

    Also on The Sentinel: City considering ban on new gas stations near Sunrise Mall

    Fufu is typically served with egusi soup that Adedayo makes with melon seeds, spinach, bell peppers, onions, and habaneros that she says has also been popular on social media.

    Naija Cuisine serves a variety of West African dishes that can include beef, chicken, or goat meat with soup and rice entrees. The online menu features rice entrees, beans plates, yam plates, and plantain plates. Customers may also choose side dishes, or a kid’s meal.

    Originally from West Africa herself, Adedayo works the restaurant with her partner Mo Rahmon. Naija Cuisine now operates in the space previously occupied by PizzaAmerica. The former restaurant served Italian food and closed soon after the pandemic began.

    Also on The Sentinel: What’s the plan for the new Toys R Us at Sunrise Mall?

    Businesses at Sunrise Mall continue to come and go, while plans to guide redevelopment of the nearly 100-acre mall property were approved by the city last year. Development requires partnership with private developers and is expected to take 20 years to complete, likely coming in four phases starting with the unused parking areas around the mall.

    The first phase aims to develop the unused parking areas over the next five years. The second phase would incorporate office space, retail, dining, and an extended stay hotel. The third and final phase includes redeveloping the existing mall into a 21st century main street.

  • Vacated repair shop on Auburn Blvd. reopens as smog station

    Business owner Uddhav Giri stands in front of his new smog shop at 6717 Auburn Blvd. // M. Hazlip

    By Mike Hazlip—
    A new smog shop has opened up next to 7-Eleven on Auburn Boulevard near Van Maren Lane, taking up space in a former auto repair shop that was vacated earlier this year.

    In a Sept. 12 update on social media, LART Smog N Tags at 6717 Auburn Blvd. announced the business is “up and running in full speed.” New paint can and exterior glass can now be seen on the building, with new windows replacing one of the building’s former bay doors.

    The location was once a three-bay automotive repair shop, but owner Uddhav “Gary” Giri has transformed two of the bays into a large waiting room to give customers a more pleasant experience with a lounge-style waiting room, complete with designer furniture he says his wife chose.

    Giri sold his Valero gas station at Auburn Boulevard and Antelope Road to open the smog shop, according to a previous report by The Sentinel.

    The building had sat vacant for months after the previous occupant moved out of state. The site has seen ongoing homeless activity, according to nearby business owners.

    Louise Seyfert, owner of Java Cherry at 6720 Van Maren Ln., told The Sentinel previously that she has seen multiple fires related to homeless activity at the site.

    Related: Citrus Heights business owner shares his story from poverty to success

  • Performing arts group celebrates grand opening at Sunrise Mall

    Performing arts group celebrates grand opening at Sunrise Mall

    Attendees mingle during a grand opening ceremony for Royal Stage at Sunrise Mall on Sept. 9, 2022. // M. Hazlip

    By Sara Beth Williams–
    A local performing arts group celebrated the grand opening of a new dedicated performance space inside the Sunrise Mall on Friday.

    The Sept. 9 ribbon cutting for Royal Stage Performing and Visual Arts’ brand-new studio and performance space took place at the organization’s new location, located inside Sunrise Mall between Macy’s Mens and Zumiez.

    The interior features a small platform stage, black box style, only feet from the audience. Several rows of chairs were set out for guests to sit and talk while an array of solo and group performances from Royal Stage students took place throughout the evening in open-mic style. Attendees also filled padded benches that lined the walls.

    Two tables of refreshments were available for attendees while they celebrated with each other and listened to performances. Guests were also invited to autograph their name on the wall directly backstage.

    Arielle Hoekstra, an art teacher and theater and dance participant with Royal Stage, said the construction of a new studio has been an “absolute blessing.”

    Diane Ebbitt, executive director of the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce, said in an interview that the opening of the new studio is “fabulous,” adding that the theater will bring more patrons and families to Sunrise Mall.

    “I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the kids of Citrus Heights to be able to have a place to go and live out their dreams,” Ebbitt said.

    The nonprofit was awarded a $25,000 grant from the City of Citrus Heights’ economic development fund in the spring of 2022 and spent the summer renovating the new performance space. The group also received other financial donations throughout the summer.

    Jeannie Bruins, a longtime Citrus Heights City Council member, echoed Ebbitt’s optimistic sentiments, adding that it was a “delight” to have the funds available to help the nonprofit construct a new studio.

    “It’s an example of thinking outside the box,” Bruins said, noting that the economic development funds don’t typically go toward performing arts groups, but that the council was able to see the positive impact a new theater would have inside the Sunrise Mall.

    The performing arts group continues to offer multiple classes and rehearsals every week at their main studio space, located at 1220 Melody Ln. in Roseville. The new location at the mall is not replacing the Roseville-based studio, but will allow for additional class space and a dedicated performance space.

    Previously, the group had been utilizing various churches and schools across the region for performances.

  • Citrus Heights Chamber continues fight against AB 257 fast food law

    McDonald's
    File photo, McDonald’s restaurant. // CH Sentinel

    By Phillip Pesola–
    The Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce is continuing opposition to a newly signed California law that could result in the minimum wage for the fast-food industry to rise as high as $22 per hour next year.

    The controversial bill, formally titled the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act, was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Labor Day.

    The bill authorizes the creation of a Fast Food Council, tasked with setting “minimum standards for workers in the industry, including for wages, conditions related to health and safety, security in the workplace, the right to take time off from work for protected purposes and protection from discrimination and harassment,” according to a statement by the Governor’s Office on Monday.

    The council is to be made up of representatives from labor and management. Powers granted to the new council include the ability to set the minimum wage for counter service workers as high as $22 in 2023.

    Diane Ebbitt, executive director of the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce, said the bill will increase costs for diners eating out and will harm businesses. Prior to the bill being signed, Ebbitt said the chamber was actively encouraging its members to oppose the bill. Now she is encouraging an effort to fight the bill with a referendum, where voters at the ballot box will have a chance to decide whether to keep the law.

    “This bill hurts small business owners and fast-food restaurants on many levels – Having an oversight committee of unelected political appointees, wages raised to $22 an hour, and dismantling the franchise model as we know it,” said Ebbitt in a statement following the bill being signed. “Restaurants are already hurting from the pandemic, employee shortage, fuel prices, and rising cost of food. I don’t understand why the Governor would sign a bill that will hurt so many restaurant and small business owners.”

    In contrast, Gov. Newsom says the law “gives hardworking fast-food workers a stronger voice and seat at the table to set fair wages and critical health and safety standards across the industry.”

    Authors of the bill said the legislation was sorely needed, stating that “the fast food sector has been rife with abuse, low pay, few benefits, and minimal job security, with California workers subject to high rates of employment violations, including wage theft, sexual harassment and discrimination, as well as heightened health and safety risks.”

    The California Chamber of Commerce, which opposes AB 257, says on its website that the bill will shift responsibility for labor law violations from individual franchise owners to the franchise chains themselves. In addition to fast food restaurants, the scope of the bill includes other “counter service” restaurants such as bakeries, delis, and coffee shops.

    The Chamber warned that increased costs on businesses will be passed on to consumers. “Between skyrocketing food and gas prices, working families can’t afford to pay another government-mandated cost increase every time they eat a meal,” the Chamber said.

    While the Chamber says existing labor laws governing the fast food industry are sufficient, the text of the bill says establishing a new regulatory body is necessary because existing regulations and enforcement have failed to provide fast food workers with adequate safety and welfare.

    The Wall Street Journal reported that a proposed referendum to overturn AB 257 was filed with the California Attorney General’s Office on Tuesday. If the effort gathers enough signatures, it will be placed on the ballot in 2024.

    Service Employees International Union President Mary Kay Henry told The Sacramento Bee the referendum effort is “an act of extraordinary greed and cowardice” on the part of fast food corporations.

    “It’s how they act when they’re terrified of their own workers and the power of collective action.”

  • Citrus Heights residential property sells for a record $1.25M

    Citrus Heights residential property sells for a record $1.25M

    File photo, a home at 8047 Holly Drive in Citrus Heights sold for $1.25 million in August 2022. // CH Sentinel

    By Mike Hazlip—
    It’s not just the heat that’s beating records lately, a Citrus Heights residential property last month sold for $1.25 million — beating the previous record by $200,000.

    The home on the 8000 block of Holly Drive, located towards the northern border of Citrus Heights, closed on Aug. 12, 2022. The million-and-a-quarter price tag included a 2,235-square-foot main house with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, along with another detached 1,196-square-foot guest house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

    Additionally, the property features a two car garage, and a 680-square-foot shop with 12-foot-high doors. The secondary dwelling is powered by solar.

    Sacramento-area real estate appraiser Ryan Lundquist in an email this week confirmed the sale makes it the “highest-priced residential sale ever recorded in the MLS” for Citrus Heights.

    The property commanded top dollar due to its unique features, according to Lundquist.

    “This property is an outlier in that it had about an acre of land, a modern ranch house built in the past two years, an accessory unit at nearly 1200 sq ft, and a large garage,” Lundquist said. “In other words, this property checked nearly every box of what buyers are looking for minus a built-in pool.”

    Despite what Lundquist calls a shift in the market due to rising interest rates, listings can still come with a high price tag and some homes are still getting multiple offers. He cautions sellers to be realistic, however.

    “Of course, some sellers are still trapped in hot headlines from the past, but they have to realize half of active listings have had a price reduction and 46% of pending contracts dropped the price before getting into contract eventually,” he said. “We are simply no longer in a market where you list on a Thursday and review eight offers by 5pm on Monday.”

    The shift in the market is also due to the seasonal decline typically seen in fall and winter, Lundquist said.

    “We went from driving 130 mph to driving under the speed limit,” he said of the market.

    The previous record for the highest residential sale recorded in Citrus Heights was $1,050,000 in March 2022.

  • Citrus Heights skate shop reportedly hit by U-Haul van in attempted break-in

    Plywood sheets can be seen covering the front windows of Surf & Skate at 7598 Greenback Ln., in this photo from Aug. 23, 2022. // M. Hazlip

    By Mike Hazlip—
    The glass door and front windows of a skate shop across from San Juan High School were boarded up last month after an attempted break-in involving a U-Haul van, the owner says.

    An employee at the store who spoke with The Sentinel previously said the incident occurred Aug. 4 at about 3 a.m. Several weeks later, the boarded-up frontage remained.

    Surf & Skate shop owner Bob Mitchell told The Sentinel in an interview Wednesday his security cameras captured a male with a long black pony tail driving a U-Haul van into the building but the store’s security gate prevented him from gaining access to the store.

    Mitchell said a Citrus Heights police officer responded to the scene, but the individual had fled before police arrived.

    Citrus Heights police Lt. Chad Morris said police do not have a report of the incident. Records show a hit-and-run near the business and “a couple of homeless related calls” but no reports of a break-in within the past year, according to Morris.

    Employees from neighboring businesses did not have additional information about the incident.

    Mitchell has drawn the ire of Antifa Sacramento for his involvement with Proud Boys, but said he does not believe the incident was politically motivated. Antifa Sacramento lists Mitchell on their website encouraging members to leave negative reviews on Surf and Skate’s social media pages.

    Surf & Skate is located at 7598 Greenback Ln., near Mariposa Avenue.