5 things: Italian restaurant The Place reopens near Placerville
Welcome to Thursday, loyal readers. The Michelin Guide California ceremony returned to Sacramento last night, where two of Sacramento's top fine dining restaurants retained their stars and a local chef received a special award.
Here's what else you need to know today.
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Restaurant near Placerville reopens
We've been following the changes at a restaurant space near Placerville, which previously operated as The Little Italian Place.
Local restaurateur Michael McDermott opened the business at 1772 Pleasant Valley Road. He later sold it to downsize his portfolio. McDermott, who also operates The Place and Daniello's Speakeasy in Roseville, remained the landlord of the property near Placerville.
The latest owner of the Italian restaurant near Placerville, listed as Rudy Drums Restaurant LLC, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Dec. 16. That operator closed the business. Late last year, the Business Journal reported McDermott planned to reopen an Italian restaurant in the space.
Update: The restaurant near Placerville has reopened under McDermott's leadership. It appears the business is now called The Place. An online menu includes pizzas, calzones and an assortment of pastas.
The aforementioned bankruptcy case closed March 4. In February, the court lifted the case's automatic stay, giving McDermott the rights to obtain possession of the property at 1768-1772 Pleasant Valley Road, in addition to some personal property left on the property, including televisions, iPads, kitchen equipment and furniture.
Purple Place building in El Dorado Hills has new tenant
A high-profile El Dorado Hills space that was the longtime home of The Purple Place has a new future in the works, with a project being spearheaded by an established local nightlife operator.
The building at 363 Green Valley Road in the Green Valley Center has been vacant since late 2022, when The Purple Place closed its doors.
Now, business partners Eric Rushing and Thomas Holzmann have confirmed they are taking over the space. Rushing has been involved with several nightlife businesses in Sacramento.
Reporter Jake Abbott explains what's next for the former Purple Place building in El Dorado Hills.
Region's largest apartment complex getting rent restrictions
The largest apartment property in the Sacramento region is moving away from having rents set at market rates.
Last Friday, the Capitol Area Development Authority's board approved a regulatory agreement governing 803-unit Woodlands in South Natomas, where rents would be affordable to people making 60% to 120% of area median income.
Senior Reporter Ben van der Meer explains why the Woodlands apartment complex is moving away from market-rate rents.
Former Trifecta CEO's new venture seeks to cut power bills
Smart home-energy platform startup Kora Power Inc. sees a strong market for helping homeowners manage their electric bills using batteries and technology to reduce costs.
Davis-based Kora combines a smart electrical panel with a sophisticated battery and software to allow users to manage and trade energy at times that are most efficient.
Kora is led by Greg Connolly, the former CEO and co-founder of performance meal delivery company Trifecta Inc., which he left in May of 2024 after 10 years at the helm.
Reporter Mark Anderson has details about Davis-based startup Kora Power.
Local developer changes how it builds affordable housing
Affordable housing developer Mutual Housing California is moving away from conventional wood-frame construction for future projects in Northern California.
Starting next spring with a 76-unit project in Stockton, the Sacramento-based company is teaming with Boise, Idaho-based Guerdon LLC to build all future developments with modular construction.
Senior Reporter Ben van der Meer explains why Mutual Housing is opting for modular construction.
Have a great day, folks. Thanks for reading.
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