SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Fans of an iconic waterfront restaurant in Old Sacramento say they're heartbroken to see it close its doors.
"I came to Rio City Cafe, it was like my first time being in Old Sac because it was my first time being in the city," said Ashly Mejia who enjoys visiting Old Sacramento.
Ashly Mejia has fond memories of eating at Rio City Cafe when she moved to Sacramento about 10 months ago. But she was saddened to learn the restaurant is closing for good in August.
"Such a good experience, to have really good food with a really nice view. And if we're just being stripped away, it kind of like sucks to be honest with you. Just because like there's not that many restaurants like in Old Sac where you're able to have this beautiful view that we're having," said Mejia.
ABC10 reached out to general manager Jimmy Gayaldo who told us he's "extremely distraught and sad."
He says it's because the city — their landlord — closed both decks and is refusing to fix them.
"They have turned their backs to us in our time of need after 30 years. Our revenue has been cut in half because of the city," said Gayaldo.
Then, Mayor Darrell Steinberg said Tuesday afternoon he believed a majority of the ownership is ready to retire.
But he's willing to meet with Rio City Café's owners and have a conversation on what's best for them and the city.
"We now have the resources we didn't have before to not only repair the dock but to invest $40-plus million in a board and dynamic modernization of Sacramento," said Steinberg.
ABC10 reached out to the city for comment and they sent us this statement:
"Rio City Cafe has informed the City of Sacramento it would be ending its lease. Rio City Cafe has been a great partner of the City, and we thank them for serving the community on the Old Sacramento Waterfront for over 30 years. While there is no specific date for redeveloping the waterfront, the City of Sacramento is examining the opportunity to reimagine and redevelop this iconic area, including the space that houses Rio City Cafe."
Meanwhile, Mejia is hopeful Rio City Cafe can stay open because when something like this goes, the area loses a little bit of its charm and history.
"I feel like it has so much sentimental value to those who are local. Especially because of how beautiful it is. And how beautiful it is to explore all of Sacramento. I feel like the overall restaurant was like a nice staple that the waterfront has," said Mejia.
Mayor Darrell Steinberg says they're bringing forward the Old Sacramento/Waterfront modernization plan in August or September. That money is coming from hotel tax funds.
