The Downtown Sacramento Partnership recently announced a new ReImagine Activation Grant Program, offering micro-grants to downtown businesses and supporting organizations looking to utilize spaces safely and with social responsibility.
The program also hopes to support local artists – of all genres and platforms—in their efforts to increase the cultural offerings in downtown Sacramento.
Sacramento’s largest art museum, The Crocker Art Museum, reopened on October 16, 2020. Patrons must reserve tickets in advance; the facility is operating at 20% capacity for the time being.
Nearby Sacramento businesses, hard hit by the dramatic loss of customers over the past six months, are hoping the museum-goers also visit other storefronts, eateries, and shops.
Nearly the entirety of Sacramento’s $89 million of federal coronavirus aid has been allocated. The city’s council recently voted on how to spend the last iteration of funds, including a few subcategories for small business assistance, tourism, culture and the arts, employment growth, and services for the homeless.
“It’s a significant achievement what we have done thus far to intentionally decide we’re going to spend this money on and in our community and then to execute it in the way we have,” Steinberg said.
The category with the largest allocation of $22 million is small business assistance, with most of the money being distributed in the second round of funding for 1,347 Sacramento businesses. Assistant City Manager Michael Jasso reported that this round of funding saw a diversified pool of applicants than the original round of loans, which mostly went to businesses in the center of Sacramento.
A 200,000 square feet Dollar General cold storage facility will open in West Sacramento.
The Greater Sacramento Economic Council announced the location of the facility on Channel Drive. The council also indicated that the new venue will generate 50 full-time jobs, $27 million in regional economic activity over three years, and revitalize the pandemic-hit economy over the next three years. Specifically in West Sacramento, some $4 million are expected to come in as a result of the new facility each year.
“Dollar General’s supply chain network plays a critical role in ensuring the products customers need and want are delivered to our nearly 17,000 stores in a timely and consistent manner. The addition of these facilities continues to drive efficiency and service through our exceptional supply chain network.”
Mike Kindy, Dollar General’s executive vice president of global supply chain
The new West Sacramento Dollar General cold storage facility will stimulate the economy and preserve food supplies.
The program allows restaurants to apply for a city permit to extend their dine-in service to public sidewalks, streets, and parking areas. This will enable restaurants to adhere to social distancing regulations and reach nearly 100% serving capacity.
Sacramento is showing ingenuity and flexibility to reopen restaurants.
Paragary’s in midtown Sacramento, for example, was one of the first eateries to apply and receive a permit. The city erected barriers on the sidewalk outside the shop and the owners have already set up tables and chairs.
This type of flexibility and accommodations are helping Sacramento’s restaurant scene get back to business.
Countless businesses have been shattered by the coronavirus pandemic and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “stay at home” order The hotel industry might be hurting most of all.
Travel has come to a complete standstill. Weddings have been postponed or held at private venues. Conferences have been canceled. All this leaves Sacramento’s hotel owners struggling. According to Visit Sacramento, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, this time of year, owners expect properties to be at 85% capacity; now they are seeing occupancy rates as low as 6%.
Sacramento hotels are finding creative ways to fill their empty rooms.
Some hotel owners have found creative solutions to fill
their rooms and generate revenue. The Hilton
Arden West is offering rooms as temporary office space for workers who are finding
it difficult to work from home. The Hampton Inn closed, and the owner moved the
guests to a nearby sister property, a Holiday Inn Express. He is rationing limited
work hours among the housekeeping staff. The owner of a California
Inn in Rancho Cordova is in negotiations with Sacramento County officials
to lease the rooms as housing for the homeless.
Thousands
of hotel workers have lost their jobs. Before the crisis, the hospitality
industry employed more than 10,000 workers in greater Sacramento. John
Kehriotis, owner of the Embassy Suites in Old Sacramento, and part-owner of the
Sacramento Kings, said he had to let go of three-quarters of the riverfront hotel’s
employees.
The Sacramento based technology firm Cambria Solutions has moved to its new location, at Eighth and K streets, after a transformational renovation. The new building is an innovative and inviting venue, which is being leveraged with potential hires looking to join a fun, driven, and top-notch firm.
Cambria is leveraging its newly renovated office space to attract employees
Cambria is a Latin-Welsh word meaning “the people.” Cambria Solutions is focused on bringing people closer to technology that can revolutionize their life. Recognizing that technology is only as good as what people to do it and with it, Cambria is focused on recruiting, training, and inspiring consumers to work with the most up-to-date solutions for business.
New York’s Fashion Week is winding down and Sacramento’s style scene is upping its game. The city is filled with clothing spots offering unique fashion finds. Here is a list of just a few local businesses worth checking out.
Sacramento’s trendy fashion businesses have a lot to offer
1st
Go 2nd (hand)
The Article Consignment Boutique in East
Sacramento is a vintage and consignment store that is a must for any shopping
fan. Buying second-hand is not only fun, but it reduces the environmental impact of clothing,
saves a lot of money, and creates a style that is unique and authentic.
Know Your
Heart
Heart
Clothing Boutique is a favored women’s clothing spot, offering a practical
and whimsical wardrobe for any occasion. Comfort and style come together seamlessly
in this cozy store where the staff is eager to help customers find just the
right look.
Go Krazy
Krazy Mary’s, also in East Sacramento, offers up-scale fashion that is forward-thinking and user-friendly. It’s sister store, Sugar Shack Boutique, networks with local artists and designers to curate an affordably unique collection of clothing.
Find an Outlet
Folsom Premium Outlets has more than 80 different outlet stores. With something for everyone, this is the perfect place to go for shoppers only looking to park once. There are also a few cafes and shake shops on the campus perfect for an energy boost during shopping sprees.
The City of Sacramento announced a partnership with Berkeley SkyDeck, the startup accelerator program from the University of California (“UC”) Berkeley. Through this cooperation, SkyDeck will introduce seven startup companies to Sacramento to pursue investment and advancement opportunities.
SkyDeck accelerator to work with City of Sacramento
SkyDeck will work with the Sacramento Urban Technology Lab (SUTL) to navigate the city’s business landscape, aiming to establish new, local, high-paying jobs.
When SUTL launched in 2018, it focused on developing, piloting, and growing technology in the city environment. According to the agreement, Berkeley SkyDeck will refer program alumni to the city at no cost. All of the founders of SkyDeck are alumni of one of the UC campuses. Startups accepted to the program go through a rigorous screening process.
Downtown
Sacramento is now home to a new – and eccentric – bakery.
Odd Cookie Bakery Cafe and Bar has moved into the old home of the Bar Rouse on 9th Street near J Street. An opening is set for mid-December.
cupcakes topped with crispy bacon
The locally owned business will offer unexpected food and drink combinations: cupcakes topped with fried chicken, deep-fried calzones, sweet and spicy cocktails, and so much more. Traditional treats will also be available for less adventurous eaters. Yum!
