By Sara Beth Williams–
A toy store at Sunrise Mall appears to have paused operations, with some inventory also removed, though neighboring businesses say it could reopen for the holiday season.
T&Z Toys employees told The Sentinel several months ago that the owner sells toys both in store and online through a wholesale business and was looking for a larger storefront in which to both house and showcase larger toys, such as kids’ battery powered or electric ride-on vehicles.
Frequently, the storefront could be seen filled with large stacks of boxes appearing to pertain to the store’s online wholesale business operations.
Last week, the store was dark and shuttered, with the front section cleared out of merchandise, and many shelving units pushed to the side of the interior, though much of the inventory remained. This week the shop was closed, and the owner was not able to be reached to provide direct comment.
A neighboring business said Thursday that the toy store owner told him that he had secured a larger warehouse where he could operate his wholesale business more effectively. The toy store owner also reportedly said he was considering reopening his Sunrise Mall store front during the holiday season.
The independently owned shop has had inconsistent hours over the last several months, but employees expressed to The Sentinel that they wanted to remain open and were hopeful for the mall’s future redevelopment plans.
However, the toy store has been closed and remained dark for the last several weeks and its future is uncertain.
When the mall was busier with more shopping opportunities, other stores also operated seasonally, including a calendar and gift shop, and Spirit Halloween, which used to set up shop in the vacant Sears storefront for years following Sears’ closure.
With T&Z Toys closed, even if temporarily, only five businesses remain at Sunrise Mall, including JCPenney, Kay Jewler’s, Royal Stage Theater, Perfume Luxe, and Tops Men’s Fashion. However, the men’s clothing store has drastically cut its hours.
What’s happening with the rest of Sunrise Mall?
In mid-March 2026, the Citrus Heights City Council approved an historic Economic Development and Participation Agreement with The Mettle Shop, in anticipation of building a major sports complex on the site of the former Macy’s Men’s.
Tallen Capital Partners LLC is in the process of purchasing the majority of the mall property from Namdar Realty Group, Tallon’s CEO says.
Those plans for the redevelopment appear to continue to move forward, according to both City Manager Ash Feeney, and Citrus Heights Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff, who reported on the pending purchase and redevelopment plans for the Mall during the city’s annual State of the City address on Nov. 5.
The proposed Sunrise Sports Complex will include two NHL-size sheets of ice, and two fields of turf, along with a 4,000-seat arena.
The sports venue is designed to be a catalyst to attract more mixed-use development on the rest of the property, the city says. The Mettle Shop and the city hope to begin development in 2027 pending approval of official site plans by the Citrus Heights City Council.
In April 2026, minority Sunrise Mall owner Ethan Conrad Properties secured a deal with Slick City Action Park who signed a lease for the former Sears building at 6041 Sunrise Blvd. Demolition has begun in at least part of the Sears building.
In the beginning of June, Arcade Monsters finalized its purchase of Sunrise Rollerland, which sits directly behind Sunrise Mall. The former iconic roller rink business was sold as both building and business together when the long-time owners chose to retire.
Arcade Monsters has demolished the inside of the former roller rink, but has not responded to multiple requests for comment regarding updates on remodeling or on any opening date.
