Latest news with #InsideLook
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A 4-year-old named this Fresno family's breakfast restaurant. What's on the menu?
Inside Look is a Fresno Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories. When a new breakfast restaurant is named by the daughter of the owners, you know it's a family-run business. That's the case at the newly opened Branch Breakfast Co. in northwest Fresno, at Marks and Herndon avenues near Save Mart. It opened in early May in the former Daddy Waffles spot, which closed late last year. Branch was the name of the make-believe restaurant where then 4-year-old Kaydence Cardoza (she's now 9) served her parents Cheerios and milk on a folding Minnie Mouse table. Brett and Stephanie Cardoza have a more sophisticated menu at their real restaurant. It features a little bit of everything — traditional breakfasts, some Mexican-influenced dishes — and everything from the biscuits to the mixed-berry jam is made from scratch. 'We have people ordering just a biscuit for the jam,' said server Esther Contreras. A chile verde omelet is proving to be a popular favorite, made with Oaxaca cheese. You can catch a whiff of Stephanie's favorite, the shrimp and grits bowl, before it even hits the table. It's made with sweet chili shrimp, linguica and two sunnyside up eggs. There are also pancakes, waffles, and bacon, along with steak and eggs, avocado toast and a burger with an English muffin bun. The Cardozas know they're opening a restaurant at a time when others are closing. The last BJ's Kountry Kitchen closed recently (replaced by The Waffle Place), as did Country Kitchen in downtown Fresno, and several others. Food costs are high, customers spooked by tariffs are pulling back on spending and the price of eggs has been an emotional roller coaster for everyone in the breakfast business. 'It's a huge risk because it's everything we have,' Brett Cardoza said. 'It's our whole heart and soul.' The pair doesn't have investors. This project is their baby. But both have years in the restaurant industry — she managing and serving, and he managing at some of the most respected restaurants in town. He recently oversaw food and beverage operations for all eight restaurants at Table Mountain Casino. But the price of eggs is coming down, and they know how to keep costs down, he said. Most dishes on the menu are priced between $16 and $18. Plus, the restaurant is a dream for the couple, and there are always challenges when tackling that, Stephanie Cardoza said. For her, opening Branch is a return to the neighborhood she grew up in (where people routinely pull their golf carts up to the back of the restaurant). She's a Bullard High School graduate. He went to Immanuel High School in Reedley, his first job washing dishes and The Spike & Rail Steak House in Selma. In addition to 9-year-old Kaydence, you may also see their 4-year-old, Owen, in the restaurant. Kaydence named her make-believe restaurant Branch (they're not quite sure why, though she did draw a picture of a branch with a bird, and she was watching the TV show 'Trolls' at the time, which has a character named Branch). Also, Brett Cardoza, who grew up in Laton, always loved the oak trees in his home town. A large oak branch decorates the entrance to the restaurant. It's a metaphor for the branches of a family tree, and brings back memories of their little girl's play restaurant, the parents note. Stephanie Cardoza smiles when she remembers how she ordered a soda at that make-believe restaurant, but her daughter said all they had was milk. She brought out the entire gallon, with a straw sticking out the top. 'We're like, 'Wow, this is great service, but your foods costs are going to be terrible,'' she joked. Details: Branch Breakfast Co. is at 7089 N. Marks. Ave., suite 101. Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Tuesdays. 559-214-5424.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This rare, modern Sacramento home has Folsom Lake as its backyard. Take a look
Inside Look is a Sacramento Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories. One of Bruce and Lisa Bodlak's favorite features of their lakefront home in El Dorado Hills has been watching their kids grow up freely exploring nature. After all, Folsom Lake and its trails are part of their backyard, so the children were inclined to spend more time outdoors than in front of screens. The couple's rare, 5,000-square-foot, single-story modern home, 30 miles east of Sacramento, is for sale for $3.4 million. 'I loved waking up knowing that my kids couldn't wait to go outside and go exploring,' Lisa said. 'They'd take the ATV, pile all their friends in it, go drive around ... My daughter raised 50 chickens. My kids got to have that kind of experience.' Hiking along scenic trails and fishing, swimming and kayaking in the lake are all part of the experience of living on rural Fredlena Lane in El Dorado Hills, the couple said. 'We went from always looking out the front door ... to (here) where they can explore freely,' Bruce said. The secluded property unfolds across three, mostly flat acres and hooks up with trails that lead down to the lake, a two-minute walk. Because it backs onto protected state land and is flanked by sprawling neighboring properties, the residence feels even more cocooned in privacy. The lot sits back on New York Creek Cove, a popular spot for boating and fishing on the south fork of Folsom Lake. In front of the house, a gated courtyard welcomes visitors with a modern streamlined water feature and 'low-maintenance' koi pond, according to Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, the brokerage holding the listing. The upscale interior design of the house is just as impressive as the outdoor space. The Bodlaks purchased the four-bedroom, four-bathroom house in 2014 for about $1 million, according to public property records, and renovated the home to the tune of another million. The open-concept floor plan is augmented by high ceilings, high-end finishes and custom woodwork throughout. The interior is spotlighted by expansive windows, exquisite crown molding, Restoration Hardware lighting, custom furniture-grade cabinetry, designer tile treatments and wood-grain tile flooring. Among other highlights: ▪ An oversized office with access to a covered patio and an attached library with built-in bookcases. ▪ Luxurious primary suite offering outdoor access and a spa-like bathroom with a Hydro Massage tub featuring oxygen and light therapy, large walk-in shower with multiple shower heads and a walk-in closet with floor-to-ceiling built-ins and shoe walls. ▪ Gourmet kitchen appointed with Thermador professional-grade appliances, eight-foot, double-door wine refrigerator, 12-foot Carrara marble slab waterfall island, breakfast nook, informal dining area under a vibrant Restoration Hardware chandelier, two walk-in pantries and expansive windows for lake views. ▪ A great room with a dramatic stone fireplace and access to an outdoor covered patio with lake views. ▪ Formal dining room, big enough to accommodate a 12-foot table, with recessed lighting and views of the front courtyard. ▪ 1,000-square-foot theater and billiards room with platform bar seating and built-ins. Bruce Bodlak's vision for their home always allowed for future versatility. The turnkey home offers buyers the options of enjoying its luxury amenities now or jumping into any number of possible upgrades, such as building a guest house on the upper property, adding a bedroom, dropping in a swimming pool or converting some of the 9,000 square feet of lawn into a vineyard or tennis court. As it lies now, the grassy area is ideal for lawn games, outdoor weddings and large parties. Bruce installed a $75,000 agriculture sprinkler and drip system to pave the way for putting in a wine vineyard or adding more fruit trees. There are four mature citrus trees on the property already. The expansion possibilities attract an even larger pool of potential buyers, according to listing agent Angela Dameri of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. 'This could be a couple with no kids, who just wants to be kind of off-grid and just have a nice view, or it could be somebody (who) wants to expand and turn into multi-family,' she said. 'Somebody who buys this (might be) living in a subdivision when they want to get into some open spaces.' The grounds are punctuated by a quaint and picturesque historic water tower from the days when a farmer owned the land in the 1940s, Bruce said. The structure can still be used to collect water, according to Dameri. Bruce meticulously built the 3,000 square foot garage with a 13-foot ceiling to match the contemporary architecture of the rest of the house. The spacious garage offers a showcase or a work space for car collectors. It's wired for electric vehicle charging. There also enough space to convert a section of the garage into a game room or in-law suite. The sellers are prominent figures in the media buying and advertising industry. Bruce and Lisa Bodlak founded Express Media, having started the company in 1999 and working out of their previous home's garage before growing the firm into a $40 million business based on annual billing. The couple decided to move to be closer to their adult children in Tennessee. 'They had a very good vision... and they imagined this being a legacy home for them,' Dameri said. This luxury Folsom Lake home breaks sales record as one of priciest in Sacramento region
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
First Mexican hair care line at ULTA Beauty has ties to Fresno and Central Valley
Inside Look is a Fresno Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories. Pilar García Bonilla had a dream and desire to help women like her who might be self-conscious of their curly hair and don't feel comfortable being themselves because of their curls. García Bonilla said she grew up thinking that straight hair was beautiful and sophisticated while curly hair was messy. She said something inside of her didn't feel good and rejected her roots, which led to a personal journey of self-acceptance. She told herself to embrace her curls and embrace her Latina essence. Now, a proud Latina entrepreneur and curly-hair advocate, García Bonilla returned to Fresno, the city she called home for 17 years and where her two children were born, to launch her hair care brand, LATINA, the first Mexican hair care line to debut at ULTA Beauty USA. 'It's history in the making and I am proud that is a Mexican, a Latina, who crossed borders and barriers,' said Dora Westerlund, CEO of the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation. 'She is leading the way. She is paving the way for other women.' García Bonilla, who is from Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, said the idea and dream for the hair care brand was born in Fresno during the COVID-19 pandemic. She founded LATINA in 2020. Westerlund said García Bonilla came to the foundation with her idea of a soap bar for hair. 'She had the commitment, she had discipline, she had resilience in her. And I knew that she was going to make it,' Westerlund said. 'I told her, 'You have to dream big.'' Westerlund said having her hair product line at Ulta is just the starting point of García Bonilla's success. As her company grew, García Bonilla moved back to Mexico two years ago to run her company, which is headquartered in Cuernavaca. García Bonilla said she wanted to come back to Fresno to launch her line because 'this city to me represents the land where the seed was planted.' The Mexican hair care brand hit the shelves at more than 400 ULTA Beauty stores in the United States on April 25. Her brand has been featured in SEPHORA Mexico. 'One of her greatest dreams is to serve her community in this part of the world,' said García Bonilla's brother and business partner, Victor García Bonilla, who believed in her dream and worked on the project together. 'When we started LATINA, it was a great project, and today we are achieving it. García Bonilla said sometimes the biggest obstacle for many Latina entrepreneurs is to take the first step and believe in themselves. 'Whatever you are dreaming, you can do it. Nobody can stop you when you really believe in something,' she said. 'If you think you have a good idea, believe in that because it can be true someday.' García Bonilla said the day before the official launch she stopped by the store in Fresno to touch her products and see her logo and the store's logo together. 'I did it. I feel proud,' she said. She thanked Fresno, friends, and the community for inspiring her to do something big that celebrates her Latina identity. 'This achievement is not just mine; it belongs to all of us,' said García Bonilla. 'LATINA is powered by the women who inspire me every day. They are my engine to keep going despite any obstacle.' Westerlund said supporting entrepreneurs like García Bonilla is 'at the heart of what we do at FAHF, and it's been inspiring to watch her grow and succeed.' While in Fresno, García Bonilla served as the keynote speaker at the FAHF's 9th Annual The Power of Women in Business Conference, where she shared her entrepreneurial journey. 'We are incredibly proud to have been part of Pili's journey as she was getting started with her business,' said Westerlund.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
California estate with off-the-chart amenities listed. See its Mediterranean style
Inside Look is a Sacramento Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories. A Sacramento area residence owned by a retired high-tech executive has hit the market for $9.85 million — a price that would set the record for the highest publicly recorded residential sale ever in the Sacramento, California, region. Dubbed Casa Paloma, the private Mediterranean estate sits in a gated community on five acres in Loomis with panoramic Sierra foothills views. 'It's amazing. It's absolutely gorgeous,' said listing agent Nick Sadek of Nick Sadek Sotheby's International Realty. Located at 5686 Ridge Park Drive, the signature residence stretches across 13,350 square feet of under-roof living space with eight bedrooms and 12 bathrooms. The custom details that abound throughout the elegant home — soaring ceilings, exposed wood beams, hand-painted finishes, white oak flooring, gourmet kitchen with dual 10- and 13-foot islands — are just the beginning of what makes the property special. 'I really don't feel like there's much missed in the house as far as all the built-in cabinetry, all of the lighting and painting, all the custom finishes,' said co-listing agent Cristie Akers of Showcase Real Estate and Property Management Services. Brian Halla, retired Cisco Systems director and former chairman and CEO of National Semiconductor Corp., and his wife Carolyn purchased the property in 2016 for $3.67 million, according to public property records. The couple took on a major renovation and expansion of the home, which Halla often describes as 'perfect.' The home's prior owner was a hunter who built a diorama in the great room displaying dozens of taxidermic animals from trips to Africa. For Halla, who is not a hunter, the space presented a deal breaker — until Akers suggested a transformative remodel of the space. 'Cristie Akers, who is a superstar Realtor, had an idea to remodel the great room and diorama and create two additional ensuites and an office,' Halla said in an email. The mansion is designed for entertaining in a big way, from a jaw-dropping lanai to an entertainment suite. The couple converted an RV garage into a detached game lounge, which is equipped with a Trackman Golf Simulator, shuffleboard, foosball, air hockey and a wet bar. There used to be a slot machine, too, Halla said. 'The game barn was outfitted with every toy you can imagine,' Halla said. 'The slot machine had to be relocated. (It) was too large a temptation for kids and their visitors as it was set to pay real quarters frequently.' The covered living area, or lanai, is a popular spot for gatherings, featuring heating and cooling systems, a wood-burning fireplace, electronic, invisible, roll-down shades and breathtaking views to the west. Halla said the lanai has been the venue for hosting large events such as wedding receptions, a 50th anniversary celebration and Christmas parties for church staff. 'The huge lanai area is a favorite place for beverages and conversation as well as wonderful seating for large dinners, ' Halla said. 'The expanded view ... of the next two hills and valleys over makes for take-your-breath-away lightning shows in the rain and fireworks on the Fourth of July ... from Penryn, Newcastle and Auburn.' Down a set of stairs off the lanai, the property is accentuated by a large pool with waterfalls and fire elements and a spa that seats 14. To one side of the house there's a six-hole chip-and-put green and bocce ball and croquet courts under bistro lighting that are fitted with synthetic grass and a misting system 'usually good for a 20-point drop in temperature' on hot Sacramento Valley days, Halla said. Guests can watch the competition from an oversized elevated deck above the courts. 'The area has a bathroom for minimal long game delays,' Halla said. A basketball, tennis and pickleball court await on the opposite side of the house. Outside entertainment opportunities are further enhanced by the indoor/outdoor bar with pass-through window, a covered outdoor kitchen and fire pit. Akers estimated the entire upgrade may have added up to 5,000 square feet of living space. If the eight ensuite bedrooms inside aren't enough, there's a detached one-bedroom guest house, too. The property sits in the middle of a mature tree canopy. Full-time groundskeepers maintain the lush estate, which offers natural grass in the front yard. Practical amenities blend with luxury features, such as two sets of washer/dryers in a laundry room conveniently located next to the primary bedroom, solar-energy panels, a power generator, and a central vacuum system. All sound, lights, temperature controls and misters are controlled by remote. The location allows for easy access to freeways and nearby Folsom Lake. The property benefits from both city water and year-round irrigation from the Placer County Water Agency, which keeps the grounds lush. According to Akers, there's a six-year wait for year-round water access. Using the city water source for landscaping could cost a homeowner about $3,000 a month, while irrigation from the PCWA canal is only about $110 a month. There are two wood-burning and two gas fireplaces throughout the home, which is single level except for an upstairs gym. Other thoughtful elements include a crafts room, and the butler pantry and wine closet off the dining room. Halla said he envisioned the Loomis property as a comfortable retreat for a close-knit group of friends consisting of mostly five couples who come together to enjoy golf, swimming, games, food and conversation. The estate's numerous bedrooms and bathrooms were intended to comfortably accommodate friends and family for extended stays, with each person able to enjoy their own private space when needed. 'The numerous visits from the gang earned the property the nickname 'Hotel Hallafornia,'' he said. The sellers decided to move to be closer to their oldest daughter and her husband, who used to live down the street in the same gated community, but moved to Nevada to realize their dream of running a Wagyu beef ranch. 'Our interest is not to sell fast but to sell right, to sell to the right family that with very little modification can make it perfect for themselves, as well,' Halla said. The home is getting attention after just two weeks on the market. Most showings so far have been for home seekers coming from the Sacramento area, Akers said, but extended marketing to the Bay Area, Los Angeles and beyond has just started. The sale price for Casa Paloma may end up topping all residential sales in the four-county region by more than $1.5 million. 'We are in a market of unicorn sales in the Sacramento region,' Sacramento appraiser and housing market expert Ryan Lundquist. 'In recent years, we've seen an explosion of luxury homes as prices have risen and an appetite for luxury has blatantly emerged.' About 74% of all MLS sales above $3 million in the past 25 years have taken place since 2020, Lundquist said. The first quarter of 2025 is the second-highest quarter ever for $3 million sales. 'While so much of the rest of the market has had much lower volume, luxury prices are doing so much better as these buyers are less sensitive to affordability and 7% (interest) rates at these prices,' he added. Granite Bay is the luxury front runner with 23% of all sales there above $3 million, but Loomis isn't far behind, at 21.6%. 'However, when looking at the past five years, Loomis has 42 sales above $3 million compared to Granite Bay at 30, so in recent times Loomis has actually overtaken Granite Bay as the top spot. It's just not the all-time leader,' Lundquist noted. There was an $8.25 million sale last year at 2000 Creekside Lane, which is the current all-time highest residential sale on record in the region. A property in Davis closed at $8.39 million a few months ago, Lundquist said, but it doesn't fit the criteria for a true single-family residential since it boasts 91 acres containing 80 acres of pistachio trees. Sadek, who also brokered the record-setting Creekside Lane property, said there are several reasons for the luxury market boom, including an Influx of out-of-area buyers. 'We are getting a lot of people from outside the area, from the Bay Area, Southern California, where this pricing is nothing over there,' he said. 'Our market is still ... undiscovered, and slowly people are discovering it.' Sadek also portrayed the Sacramento luxury market as an emerging, attractive destination for buyers seeking value, quality of life and unique properties, driven by out-of-area buyers and favorable local conditions. 'The cost of construction is super expensive right now,' he said. 'If somebody sees something that is going to check a lot of their boxes, they're gonna jump on it.' Halla came up with another reason a family might be interested in buying the home. 'It's also a perfect home for kids of all ages, including teenagers, who quite often prefer the property's toys and sports to a date at a drive-in theater,' he said. See Sacramento home's beautiful indoor basketball court, one of many stunning features Buyer snaps up 'slice of heaven' in Sacramento home market. Are luxury prices on the rise?
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Discover Placerville CA luxury farmhouse designed for ultimate entertainment
Inside Look is a Sacramento Bee series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories. Bill Roberts designed his Placerville home to be an entertainer's paradise. Objective achieved. Roberts, founder of Good Guys Heating and Cooling, and his wife Ashley purchased the five-acre property east of Sacramento in 2019 for $535,000, according to public property records. They significantly renovated and expanded the existing, smaller home and added substantial outdoor amenities and landscaping. The original residence was built in the 1970s, but it's 'basically like new construction,' said listing agent Callie Mirsky of Cali Homes. She helped the couple purchase the property six years ago when 'it looked drastically different.' The property at 4244 Boles Road recently hit the market for $2.2 million. The architecture is a blend of ranch or country style and contemporary luxury design. High-end amenities throughout the residence add a modern, spacious and appealing aesthetic. The open-concept layout flows front to back. A sweeping backyard deck and outdoor kitchen offering stunning views of the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada is the icing on the cake. Spectacular gathering spaces are found at every turn, starting at the front entry and running to the back of the property where a full, covered bar awaits. The charming venue-style cantina provides numerous tables, a large fire pit, two restrooms, speakers, space for dancing and heating. The home spans 4,200 square feet with three bedrooms — including a primary suite and junior primary suite. The house 'lives like a single level,' Mirsky said, but up the stairs there's an incredible movie theater with an abundance of seats, as well as a concession area and a bathroom. The expansive gourmet kitchen sits just above the large family room adjacent to a big dining area. The kitchen features an oversized island, dining bar and plenty of storage, including a butler's pantry. The dining room opens out to a gorgeous rear veranda overlooking a park-like backyard, where meandering paths lead through large grassy areas and down to the rustic bar, fenced pastures and a sizeable chicken coop. The outdoor kitchen on the deck is impressive. It features a pizza oven, flat-top and regular grills, surround sound, wine fridge, a heating and cooling system underneath and retractable shades. The space is large enough for a firepit and a Jacuzzi-style spa, too. 'I don't know what more you could want,' Mirsky said. The property is a hobbyist's and recreation enthusiast's fantasy. A 2,500-square-foot detached shop with heating and air conditioning provides enough space for a car collector to store up to 12 vehicles. The workshop comes with a well-equipped insulated loft that provides a fun place to hang out. The hideaway has a half bathroom, television, refrigerators and pool table. Additional covered RV and boat storage is accessed from the other side of the home. 'There's room for all the toys,' MIrsky said. The primary bedroom, which overlooks the backyard, comes with a standalone luxurious bathtub, large walk-in closet with organizers and an oversized shower. The house contains practically everything a homeowner would want inside, but the design allows for versatility. For example, a big utility room includes office space with a built-in desk, a fitted dog crate, a washer and dryer and a large island for folding clothes or doing crafts or work projects. With the movie theater and bathroom up the stairs from the utility room, the wing could be transformed into separate living quarters for guests or family members. It has private access. Roberts and his wife planned to add a pool or pond to the property — there's plenty of space — but hadn't gotten around to it yet, Mirsky said. The couple are selling the Boles Road property after purchasing 160 acres nearby for their next endeavor, raising cattle, Mirsky said. 'Magical' estate offers 360-degree mountain, river and vineyard views east of Sacramento See $8M NorCal home built to resist fires — and to dazzle with its modern design
