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9 Sacramento-area restaurants and cafes that closed their doors in 2024

Stories by Sacramento Bee journalists, with AI summarization

In 2024, a notable wave of closures affected restaurants and cafes, with financial strain being a key factor. Rising operational costs and decreased traffic, as illustrated in cases like a popular Mexican chain and a renowned sushi restaurant, have forced businesses to reevaluate sustainability. Long-standing establishments such as a 60-year-old family eatery succumbed to compounding factors like fire damage and pandemic aftershocks.

Others, such as a vibrant coffee-record shop, cited rent hikes and changing consumer habits.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

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NO. 1: COFFEE SHOP AND RECORD STORE IN MIDTOWN SACRAMENTO IS CLOSING. HERE’S WHY — AND WHEN

“This isn’t the end,” the cafe’s owners said in an Instagram post. | Published January 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jacqueline Pinedo

A two-alarm fire broke out at Sam’s Hof Brau, 2500 Watt Ave. in Sacramento County’s Arden Arcade neighborhood, early Tuesday morning, Feb. 7, 2023. Metro Fire officials reported extensive damage throughout the restaurant. By Daniel Hunt

NO. 2: SAM’S HOF BRAU PERMANENTLY CLOSES. AFTER 60 YEARS, HISTORIC ARDEN ARCADE EATERY DONE IN BY FIRE

Sam’s Hof Brau is well-known for its iconic exterior and family-friendly setting. | Published January 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Molly Jarone

Chicory Coffee & Tea general manager Chris Garcia said on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, that he is happy to return to work. The owner reopened the store, closed two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, after seeing an increase in foot traffic near its location at at 11th and N streets in downtown Sacramento. By Paul Kitagaki Jr.

NO. 3: DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO COFFEE SHOP IS CLOSING AFTER NEARLY 20 YEARS: ‘PRETTY HEARTBREAKING’

Nearby construction and COVID-19 have had a “massive impact” on the cafe, the general manager said. | Published January 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Hanh Truong

The 7-piece nigiri is photographed at Southpaw Sushi at 1616 Del Paso Blvd. in Sacramento. By Xavier Mascareñas

NO. 4: ONE OF SACRAMENTO’S FAVORITE SUSHI RESTAURANTS IS CLOSING. HERE’S WHEN

“What was a promising venture has turned into a daily struggle to keep the doors open,” the owners wrote on Instagram. | Published April 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Benjy Egel

Aji Japanese Bistro, located in El Dorado Hills Town Center, explains in a Facebook post its protocols as it will reopen for dine-in service this Sunday, May 10, 2020. The decision violates the state’s stay-at-home order, put in place due to the coronavirus. By Aji Japanese Bistro / Facebook screenshot

NO. 5: SACRAMENTO-AREA JAPANESE RESTAURANT IS CLOSING DUE TO ‘RISING COSTS.’ WHEN’S THE LAST DAY?

The restaurant specializes in street food such as Korean-style short rib tacos and braised pork belly buns. | Published May 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Hanh Truong

Service Journalism reporter Brianna Taylor visits Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink at 701 K St., Sacramento on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. After the ice, she warms up with a honey citrus mint hot tea and an everything bagel for $7.50 from the Starbucks across the street from the rink.

NO. 6: ANOTHER SACRAMENTO STARBUCKS JUST CLOSED. IT WAS FIRST IN THE REGION TO UNIONIZE

The closure comes about a month after an East Sacramento Starbucks location shut its doors. | Published May 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Hanh Truong

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NO. 7: MEXICAN RESTAURANT CHAIN CLOSES 11 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATIONS. IS YOURS ON THE LIST?

The chain, known for its fish tacos, previously shut down two Sacramento-area restaurants. | Published June 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jacqueline Pinedo

NO. 8: BUCA DI BEPPO CLOSES SACRAMENTO-AREA LOCATION AFTER 25 YEARS: ‘THANK YOU FOR ALL THE YEARS’

The Italian restaurant had a sign on its door on Monday announcing its closure. | Published July 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Camila Pedrosa

NO. 9: THIS MEXICAN RESTAURANT IS CLOSING AFTER 43 YEARS IN NORTH SACRAMENTO

It’ll close on or about Sept. 30. | Published September 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Benjy Egel

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.