Former sports bar in Citrus Heights set to become coffee shop

By Sara Beth Williams–
The former 10th Inning sports bar on Mariposa Avenue is currently getting a face lift.

The building located at 7753 Mariposa Ave. is under construction with plans to become a new coffee shop, the city confirmed Wednesday. Currently, the siding has been removed, and a pile of debris from the demolition of a wall can be seen on the premises.

Following the sale of the property in 2021, construction activity has been observed off and on at the former 10th Inning sports bar site.

City spokeswoman Nichole Baxter confirmed in April 2021 that an application for a business license at the site was filed by “Station Coffee Roasters.” The applicant was directed to obtain building permits for a change of use. But while construction activity was occurring in 2021, no permit had been issued, the city said in a previous report.

A “Stop Work Order” was issued by the city on Nov. 17, 2021, for “working without the benefit of required permits” at the site.

Related: Former Citrus Heights sports bar building listed for sale at $275k—Citrus Heights Sentinel

Plans for a permanent Station Coffee Roasters location in Citrus Heights were officially announced in a video post on the company’s Instagram account in April 2024, with the owners stating in part, “It’s been a long time coming, but we’re on the track, and we can’t wait to serve you!” The company’s video post shows the building of the former sports bar in the background, and one of the owners indicated that a building permit had finally been obtained and demolition was to begin shortly.

The Community Development Department confirmed in a statement last Wednesday that a permit has been issued to convert the space into a coffee shop.

“While the project has encountered some structural challenges in the field, the applicant is actively working with our plans examiner and senior building inspector to develop a solution,” the city said, adding that the permit is active and progress is continuing on the building’s transformation.

The building was built in 1951 and is situated in what was once one of Citrus Heights’ first commercial districts, along with Hall’s Furniture and other shops.

In the 1950s, the shopping area on Mariposa Avenue near Antelope Road was a spot where residents could get gas, drop off mail, and shop for clothes, furniture, and more. A small, two-story post office opened in 1947 in a back area next to Hall’s, run by the postmaster who also owned Wood’s Variety store in the same shopping center.

Hall’s Groceries & Meats also opened next door to the furniture store but was sold by the Hall family in the 1960s and continues to operate as a small grocery store today. A pair of Texaco gas pumps was also located outside Hall’s.

Station Coffee Roasters doesn’t list any permanent locations on their website but will frequently travel to vendor fairs to sell coffee and merchandise, according to the company’s Facebook page.

A post from December 2024 reads in part, “We are so grateful for your support, trust, and encouragement this last year! You inspire us to keep growing and delivering our best every day. We have a lot coming next year and we hope you’ll join us for the ride!”

The coffee roasting company sells bags of freshly roasted coffee beans, including Brazilian, Colombian, and Nicaraguan. Beans come in a variety of flavors, including chocolate-mixed berry-almond, honey-apricot-pecan, strawberry-peach-cocoa, and other unique flavors.

The company also recently launched a new coffee bean subscription program.

The owners of Station Coffee Roasters could not be reached for comment before press time.