CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The former Perko’s Café and Grill at 6215 Sunrise Boulevard near the corner of Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights has a new name, CH Café & Grill, and a familiar restaurant owner.

Exterior banner signage identifies the recent ownership change. Large round Perko’s logos gave been temporarily hand repainted with the new CH Café & Grill name while signage has been ordered, said owner Victor Garcia, who also owns Erica’s Café down the street on 7451 Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights.

According to Garcia, the parent company, Heritage Restaurant Brands based in San Luis Obispo, was intending to phase out the Perko’s restaurant brand in Citrus Heights, giving the previous owner the option to rebrand as a Huckleberry’s Breakfast Lunch with a major construction facelift or selling the franchise directly to Garcia, allowing him to be an independent owner.

“They informed us in September that we had a month to decide to rebrand as a Huckleberry’s or continue on a different path. So, I did.”

During the ownership change, customers will continue to order popular breakfast, lunch and dinner choices off the former Perko’s restaurant menu while new menus are being printed. Breakfast will continue to be offered all day. A new milkshake machine and smoothie machine has been installed.

A re-opening celebration is tentatively scheduled Friday, November 4^th for the public.

“We’ll be continuing many of the popular menu favorites, but offering some new choices,” he said.

Being an independent restaurant owner, and not required to purchase food through a restaurant management company, Garcia said he will be able to source his food locally, and keep his prices down, as he has with Erica’s Café, the other local restaurant he owns.

Garcia, who emigrated from Mexico, recalled working his way up from dishwasher to a Denny’s general management in 20 years, before going out on his own as a restaurant owner. It’s a profession he loves, he said, and enjoys meeting and serving his customers.

“CH Café & Grill is a bit larger than Erica’s Café, but it will have the same family-friendly feel. We look forward to earning the trust of our customers as we welcome new ones.” Garcia purchased Erica’s Café in January 2019 before the pandemic and hopes to build on its success.

Customers will also be able to order through popular delivery options and a new website will debut soon, he said.

The new CH Café & Grill, which had been quite popular with local seniors under the former Perko’s restaurant brand for many years, will continue to offer “classic American style homestyle meals, scratch made breakfasts, burgers, and a slice of pie or a milkshake at an affordable price.”

Garcia said he worked with a graphic designer to create a citrus-themed logo to create a new brand identity which he feels identifies better with the local Citrus Heights community.

The restaurant now employs a staff of eight and looks to add more in the months ahead, Garcia said. “We’re looking to be open 24 hours.”

Interior renovations have already begun, with new kitchen equipment in place, new plank flooring and a fresh repaint inside. A large mural, running the length of the kitchen counter, dating back to when the restaurant was originally a Denny’s continues to give customers a familiar old-style diner experience.

Renovations to a banquet room which has a capacity of 50 are ongoing, with new doors added for privacy. Garcia said he’s hoping to market the room to local community groups for their use.

CH Café & Grill is located at 6215 Sunrise Boulevard in Citrus Heights near the corner of Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane. Call 916-721-0670 for more information. Open 6 am to 10 pm Monday through Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6 am to 11 pm, and Sunday from 6 am to 10 p.m.