Business

Citrus Heights restaurants were quick to reopen outdoor dining this week, following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s announcement Tuesday that the Greater Sacramento Region has qualified to exit a state-imposed stay at home order issued last month.

Despite the coronavirus and related shutdowns, development continued across Citrus Heights in 2020 and is set to continue in 2021.

Citrus Heights is slated to get some new restaurants and other establishments in the coming year, despite the coronavirus pandemic’s affect on the economy over the past year.

The past 12 months of 2020 were filled with ups and downs in Citrus Heights and across the nation, with the city welcoming new businesses and also saying goodbye to some.

Although a new $900 billion stimulus package has been passed by congress, a local stimulus program for restaurants was discontinued on Dec. 31, after a vote by the Citrus Heights City Council last month.

A new report released this month shows median rental prices rose in Citrus Heights over the past 12 months by 10.8% percent, but dropped significantly elsewhere.

Despite the disruption of COVID-19 and related restrictions on businesses, Citrus Heights still welcomed new restaurants, retailers, and a grocery store in 2020.

Recently boarded up windows and doors at a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant are prominently visible to passersby on Greenback Lane, next door to where a Popeyes drive-thru is slated to take up a former Burger King.

In an overnight change last week, the former Baskin Robbins at 8125 Auburn Blvd. in Citrus Heights became an independent ice cream parlor, branded as “Sweet Treats Creamery.”