Business

Businesses Citrus Heights said goodbye to in 2024

Date: January 4, 2025

The Goodwill store at 7120 Auburn Blvd. closed in January 2024 // M. Hazlip

By Sara Beth Williams–
Citrus Heights welcomed many new businesses in 2024, but also saw the departure of notable retailers, restaurants and other businesses during the same year. Below is a list of businesses that have closed in 2024. The list is not intended to be exhaustive.

Sunrise Mall businesses: In early January 2024, both Taco Bell and Pretzelmaker closed up shop, followed closely behind by independently owned restaurant Naija Cuisine. Clothing and apparel retailer Tilly’s also closed at the end of January. Throughout the year, two more stores, Pro Image Sports and Lin Den Massage, have appeared closed and vacant on multiple visits to Sunrise Mall.

Most recently in November, the Espresso Bar coffee cart closed unexpectedly when the owner suffered a medical emergency. The coffee bar remains vacant, with its future unknown.

Sunrise Mall management did not respond to The Sentinel’s request for comment.

Goodwill at Sylvan Corners: After two decades in business at the location, the Goodwill store at Sylvan Corners closed in January. The last day for the location was listed as Jan. 21, 2024, an announcement on the company’s social media said. Shortly afterward, BearPaw, a locally owned national footwear company, relocated their outlet store into a portion of the Goodwill building.

Walgreens on Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane: The prominent fixture on what has been called the busiest intersection in the city closed in February, 2024. Near the end of the year, Skechers, a shoe store located across the street in the Citrus Town Center, announced that the store would be relocating to the vacant building.

Togo’s Sandwich Shop in Greenback Square: A letter posted on the entrance to the vacant sandwich shop titled “Acknowledgement of Abandonment of Premises” stated in part, “The undersigned hereby acknowledges that as of April 10, 2024, the tenant under that certain lease of real property dated March 5, 2023, has abandoned all of its leasehold interest in the subject commercial premises.”

99 Cents Only Store on San Juan Avenue: A vacant parking lot and building are all that remain of the former 99 Cents Only store on Greenback Lane. The Citrus Heights location was among the closure of all 371 store locations across California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas, announced on April 5 by the company.

Citrus Heights Preschool: The shuttering of Citrus Heights Preschool after more than 50 years impacted many families across the community. At the end of April, parents were notified that the last day of operation would be May 10. Two weeks later, operations officially shut down. The parking lot and buildings remain vacant, though the property was recently purchased by the City of Citrus Heights.

Dollar N More: The discount store was once located at the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Old Auburn Road. Adjacent businesses did not know when the store closed, and no sign was posted on the entrance indicating a date of closure. The building has since been filled with a new thrift store called The Family Outpost.

Crunch Fitness: After nearly a decade in business, Crunch Fitness, once located at the corner of San Juan Avenue and Greenback Lane, closed over the summer. Front desk staff informed The Sentinel at the time that all employees were given automatic transfers to other Crunch Fitness locations, and that all gym members were also given free transfers to gyms in a 10-mile radius.

Gilberto’s Tacos: A popular Mexican restaurant located on Auburn Boulevard closed in September after its lease expired and then reopened a month later, operating as a food truck. In November, the restaurant owner announced that the food truck would ultimately close. The owner has stated she wants to remain in Citrus Heights but hasn’t yet announced another permanent location for the restaurant.

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