By Mike Hazlip—
The exodus continues at the declining Sunrise Mall as several more businesses leave the once-thriving regional mall at the center of Citrus Heights’ retail economy.
As of Jan. 15, both Taco Bell and Pretzelmaker have closed up shop, leaving the independently owned Naija Cuisine and the coffee kiosk as the last remaining food and beverage options for shoppers. Employees at Taco Bell could not comment on the closure.
The Sentinel previously reported that Zumiez closed in December. The clothing and apparel chain location was closed for several weeks following a rain storm in late October. A leak following the rains damaged merchandise at Zumiez and water extended into neighboring Hallmark, according to the report.
A spokesman for the mall’s management company, Mason Asset Management, previously told The Sentinel the leak stemmed from a clogged roof drain and an improperly sealed HVAC curb. The issue was repaired, the spokesman said.
A Zumiez employee, who could not be identified because they were not authorized to speak to the media, said the store had not been planning to renew its lease in 2024, but the flooding and an alleged lack of plans to find a tenant to take over the former Sears building contributed to the decision to close sooner.
Related: What’s going on with the plan to redevelop Sunrise Mall?
