Vic’s Ice Cream, the Land Park landmark, announces its long-anticipated reopening
The owners of Vic’s Ice Cream, one of Sacramento’s most iconic destinations, have announced the reopening after lengthy renovations.
According to a post on Instagram, the diner and ice cream shop at 3199 Riverside Blvd. will once again open its doors on Jan. 3 with a reopening celebration at 11 a.m.
The future of Vic’s has been one of the most intensely followed sagas since the owner, Craig Rutledge, passed away in March 2024.
By August 2024, the property was put up for sale. Longtime fans of the restaurant expressed concern that new owners might erase its rich history in the neighborhood.
Vic’s was founded by Ashley Rutledge and Vic Zito in 1947. Rutledge’s son, Craig, operated the parlor until his death. The classic shop has won awards for its ice cream throughout its lifetime, including seven consecutive gold medals at the California State Fair.
A year ago, the property had been bought by a group including Carlo Grifone — owner of local restaurant chain Giovanni’s Old World New York Pizzeria — and his daughter, Samantha.
From the start, the group announced plans to restore Vic’s to its “original glory,” retaining its vintage charm with checkered floors and bringing back the original recipes.
The reopening was initially slated for late summer 2025 but was delayed due to unexpected remodeling challenges. The group has been teasing updates to the project via Instagram throughout the project.
An adjacent coffee shop, Brew Bird, will also open, promising “handcrafted drinks and paint-your-own pottery.”
This story was originally published December 4, 2025 at 8:15 AM.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly said that Scott Matrenec and Matt Rutledge were partners in the reopening; they are no longer part of the project.
