Q&A: What’s with that boarded-up building on Auburn Blvd?

By Mike Hazlip—
Over the years, motorists traveling along Auburn Boulevard have likely noticed an older building with painted boards over its windows next to Riebes Auto Parts.

So what’s the story behind the building?

According to Sacramento County assessor records, the 1,973-square-foot structure was built in 1950, while the adjacent 10,650-square-foot commercial building housing Riebes Auto Parts was built in 1967.

While the building appears unused on the outside, but the structure at 8224 Auburn Blvd. is currently being used as a storage facility for the auto parts store next door, according to an employee of the business and a nearby business owner. Behind the structure is a second location for A&A Stepping Stone.

As for the building’s prior use, Citrus Heights historian Larry Fritz told The Sentinel that the address is listed in a 1960 Polk Directory as a “Home Barber Shop” and the residence of “Merrill B. and Mildred Harper.”

The building was also home to a number of other businesses over the years, according to Fritz, but the names of prior establishments were not able to be confirmed by The Sentinel.

Got a question about Citrus Heights you’ve always wanted an answer for? Click here to submit a question for consideration in a future Q&A article. See other recent articles below:

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