By Sara Beth Williams–
Frustration is growing over the dire state of Sunrise Mall, with many residents, mall employees and business owners voicing concerns on social media, in Letters to the Editor, at neighborhood area meetings and at City Council meetings. Some have blamed the city and council for the mall’s decline.
Citrus Heights Economic Development and Community Engagement Director Meghan Huber told The Sentinel in a recent interview that the city does not own the mall property, and owners of Sunrise Mall “historically” have not reinvested in the property.
Huber confirmed that almost $300,000 in fines have been issued to the majority property owner, Namdar Realty Group, for code enforcement violations. As of December 2024, Namdar has only paid a small portion of the fines levied against him for code enforcement issues, according to the city.
On multiple visits to Sunrise Mall throughout the winter of 2024 and spring of 2025, Sentinel staff observed multiple buckets situated within the mall corridor set out to catch water leaking from the roof. Staff also observed that the HVAC system within the mall’s corridor appeared inoperable, creating an uncomfortably cold environment during winter months.
Other residents and employees of the mall have stated that the mall’s main corridor is uncomfortably hot during summer months.
Related: What’s happening with Sunrise Mall? – Citrus Heights Sentinel
Mayor Jayna Karpinski-Costa told The Sentinel in an interview last month that Ethan Conrad Properties, which owns a portion of the south side of the mall property where the former Sears building exists, keeps its side “pretty clean.” The developer has repaved parking lots within the owned boundaries and refreshed the outside of the building, The Sentinel previously reported. During at least one neighborhood area meeting in January, Ethan Conrad, CEO of Ethan Conrad Properties, said he would “never have let the property go so far.”
“We’re as frustrated as you are,” Karpinski-Costa said when asked how the City Council would respond to residents’ frustration over the current appearance of the mall property.
During a recent strategic planning retreat, the Economic Development and Community Engagement Department proposed the institution of a commercial property vacancy tax that would fine property owners if their buildings are vacant for lengthy periods of time. A fine for vacant buildings was proposed in order to motivate owners to find tenants for vacant buildings and decrease the amount of long-term vacancies that tend to attract criminal activity. Details are still being finalized.
The mall’s physical decline seems to mirror the economic decline, with multiple stores closing in quick succession, including Macy’s, Hot Topic, and Spencer’s, which all shuttered this spring. Clothing store Masterboy Streetsyle relocated to Folsom Premium Outlets.
In January 2024, both Taco Bell and Pretzelmaker closed up shop, followed soon after by Naija Cuisine and clothing retailer Tilly. In May 2024, another small watch and jewelry repair shop left the mall and relocated to a storefront at the Marketplace at Birdcage across the street.
In November 2024, an espresso bar, which had been the last eatery to operate in the mall’s food court, closed unexpectedly following the owner’s sudden departure due to a medical emergency.
With businesses closing one after the other within Sunrise Mall, business owners still operating have expressed concern regarding rumors from customers that the mall is going to close or be demolished “any day now.”
In a follow-up interview, when asked what the city would do if the mall were to completely shutter, Huber said, “Regardless of business occupancy, the property is subject to municipal code standards for maintenance, safety, and appearance.” Huber added that the city is “actively monitoring” compliance and will continue to enforce standards as needed to protect the community and quality of life.
Looking ahead, Ethan Conrad, with Ethan Conrad Properties, is seeking to redevelop the mall property and has submitted a proposal to the city. Conrad’s company owns a portion of the property on the south end. In an updated site plan, the real estate investor has removed several proposed quick service restaurants with drive thrus, but still proposes the construction of a Home Depot, In N Out, two more restaurants yet to be determined, an EV charging station, and a small open event area on the north side of the mall behind what was Macy’s Men’s. Previously, Conrad and representatives of his company spent January and February presenting at Citrus Heights Neighborhood Area groups in order to gain feedback from the community.
Ethan Conrad Properties is expected to present its proposal to the Citrus Heights City Council on Wednesday, April 23 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. City Hall is located at 6360 Fountain Square Drive.
