By Sara Beth Williams–
Ten years ago, in honor of Citrus Heights’ then-upcoming 20th anniversary, city staff presented a list of the top 20 oldest businesses in Citrus Heights.
Over the years, some of those iconic businesses have closed, changed hands, or rebranded. As the 30th anniversary of the incorporation of Citrus Heights approaches, The Sentinel reexamined and compared the list of oldest businesses in town to find which historic icons are still standing.
The majority of the list is based on a community survey from 2016 and was part of the city’s year-long celebration commemorating 20 years of cityhood.
Other entries have also been added based on residents’ feedback and Sentinel staff research. At least seven out of 24 businesses listed have rebranded, changed owners, or are in the process of doing so. Two have closed permanently.
Oldest businesses in Citrus Heights:
1936: Harris Industrial Gases, 8475 Auburn Blvd: Harris Industrial Gases remains the oldest business in Citrus Heights, having opened in 1936, and is still family owned and operated. The company recently celebrated its 90th anniversary with a ribbon cutting in mid-May.
1946: Hall’s Furniture & Appliances, 7752 Mariposa Ave: The iconic furniture store full of historical significance opened in 1946 as a furniture and appliance store, and is still operational today, having expanded its footprint into neighboring suites. The furniture store no longer sells appliances.
1954-2022: Walt’s Auto Service, 7549 Auburn Blvd: The Sentinel reported on Nov. 17, 2022, that AAA Mountain West Group had purchased Walt’s Auto Service after about 30 years of operation under owner Richard Hale. The shop was remodeled and began operating as AAA Citrus Heights Auburn Auto Repair Center and continues to this day.
1957-2024: Aba Daba Rentals, 7448 Auburn Blvd: After opening in 1957, the equipment rental shop withstood the test of time until 2024 when it was sold to Rental Guys. Unfortunately, Rental Guys closed the location in 2025. The property has since seen new signs of life as a new trailer rental and sales business plans to open in the summer 2026.
1958: Lodge Coffee Shop, 8191 Auburn Blvd: This iconic coffee shop with its blue steepled roof is still open.
1959: Fireside Lanes, 7901 Auburn Blvd: The bowling alley still remains open today, offering entertainment options for the whole family.
1960: Grand Oaks Hair & Nail (formerly Grand Oaks Beauty Salon) 7931 Auburn Blvd: The decades-old beauty parlor is still operating today under longtime ownership.
1965: Citrus Heights Saw and Mower, 7238 Auburn Blvd: Still the go-to shop for repairs and replacement parts for mowers and saws.
1965: Kniesel’s Auto Service Center, 7649 Sunrise Blvd. The auto service center is now owned by AAA Mountain West Group, while the adjacent Kniesel’s Collision center remains.
1967: Ranch Motel, 6221 Auburn Blvd.
1968-2025: Citrus Heights Optometry (formerly known as Dr. Texas Smith OD): Dr. Texas Smith first opened his practice in Citrus Heights in the late 1960s. He originally practiced at the Grand Oaks Shopping Center, then moved into the current standalone building at 8036 Auburn Blvd in 1984 after purchasing it. Dr. Smith retired in 2025 and the practice rebranded.
1969: Citrus Heights Beauty College, 7518 Baird Way: Becky Hambelton founded Citrus Heights Beauty College with her husband, Charles Hambelton, in 1969. The school has been family-run since its beginning. Hambelton felt that she was doing more than simply teaching students how to cut hair—she was teaching them how to manage life and feel important.
1973: Sunrise Mall, Sunrise Blvd: Over the last five decades, the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane transformed dramatically, rising up from cow pastures into a bustling indoor mall. But two decades of growing neglect have taken its toll and the mall is in severe decline. While the mall remains open, the city is pushing for revitalization, with the potential additions of a new sports center and new indoor slide park sitting on the horizon.
1970-2024: Citrus Heights Preschool: After over 50 years of operation as a preschool, the property closed abruptly in 2024 after giving families only two weeks’ notice. The property has since been purchased by the city. One building will soon become an Animal Control center for temporarily housing lost pets, and the second building will become a feline spay and neuter clinic run by FieldHaven
1973-2026, Sunrise Rollerland, 6001 Sunrise Vista Drive: After 50 years, the family-owned and operated roller rink closed temporarily in early 2026 when the owners finally chose to retire. The rink has been bought by another entertainment company that plans to reopen the rink, but under a new name. A reopening date is not yet known.
1974-2020: The Pumpkin Farm, 7736 Old Auburn Rd: After the death of the owner of the holiday favorite for families, and due to the pandemic restrictions limiting visitors to the farm, the pumpkin farm did not reopen in 202o for the season. Following 2020, the farm never reopened. Questions remain as to what will become of the land, as the property sits vacant to this day.
1975-2019: Coco’s Bakery, 7887 Madison Ave: A new sandwich shop has taken up the space of where Coco’s Bakery used to be. The bakery permanently closed on Aug. 28, 2019, after about 45 years in operation. The Sentinel reported that employees were notified just days before the shutdown and the restaurant was cleared out immediately afterward.
1976: Marketplace at Birdcage, 5975 Birdcage Centre Ln. The Marketplace at Birdcage has undergone major transformation in the last 50 years, with a complete overhaul of the space in the late 1990s. Today, the outdoor shopping center no longer has a movie theater, fountain, or birdcages, but boasts multiple major anchor stores, and convenience stores for all types of shoppers. The marketplace also hosts multiple events throughout the year.
1977-2024: All Star Printing, 7920 Alta Sunrise Drive: Once family owned, the business has now transferred ownership and changed names to Minute Man Press, as the owner of All Star Printing chose to retire.
1977: Rocky’s 7440 Club, 7440 Auburn Blvd.
1980: Great Clips, 7340 Greenback Ln.
1981-2025: Supercuts, 8119 Auburn Blvd: The Supercuts location opened in 1981 as one of the earliest Supercuts in the region shuttered on Nov. 16, 2025.
1983: Felipe’s Mexican Restaurant, 7959 Auburn Blvd.
1987: Raley’s Supermarket, 7847 Lichen Drive: Before the well known grocery chain came on the scene, much of the surrounding areas at Antelope Road and Lichen Drive were nothing but fields of grass. The first Raley’s store opened in 1935 in Placerville and the first Sacramento-area Raley’s opened in 1942.
See the original list from 2016: Here’s the ‘Top 20’ oldest businesses in Citrus Heights
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