Former China Buffet Restaurant Remains on the Market
Feb 15, 2023 12:00AM ● By By Thomas J. Sullivan
Outdoor signage announcing the pending opening of a seafood restaurant on the site has since been removed by the owner/broker Jarrett Real Estate of El Dorado Hills, which continues to market the property as an active listing. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - News that the former China Buffet restaurant at 5623 Sunrise Boulevard in Citrus Heights may be the home of a new seafood restaurant is premature, said Phillip Jarrett, owner/broker of Jarrett Real Estate in El Dorado Hills in a telephone interview. He said his firm continues to market the commercial restaurant property as an active listing.
Two large white banner signs, one visible to motorists passing by along Sunrise Boulevard, and another sign which was placed in front of the restaurant’s former front entrance which announced the pending opening were to be taken down as of Thursday, February 9th, he said.
Jarrett said he believed the two signs may have been placed by representatives for Sunrise Marketplace who did so without confirmation of an occupancy agreement with his office.
A current sales and marketing brochure featured on Loopnet.com lists the former China Buffet restaurant site for $4.1 million at a cost of $1.99 per square foot under a ground lease option as “ideal for restaurant, medical, brew pub/sports bar, retail, residential or other suggested uses.”
The free-standing former 10,600-plus square-foot restaurant built in 1986 is situated on 1.7 acres and includes two outdoor seating areas.
In its heyday, China Buffet was situated along what was a busy restaurant row on Sunrise Boulevard in Citrus Heights.
An adjacent Marie Callender’s Restaurant and Bakery at 5525 Sunrise Boulevard abruptly closed in August 2019 when the parent company entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to dwindling profits.
Only a Mexican-themed restaurant, El Tapatio, located next door at 5637 Sunrise Boulevard, remains open.
Jarrett said he’s optimistic the former China Buffet will find new ownership soon.
“It has great potential for a variety of potential uses,” he said.
“We’ve shown the property over 30 times since January and have had multiple letters of interest (LOI),” Jarrett said. “There’s been considerable overall interest in the property, but we just haven’t closed a deal just yet.”
In recent years, the interior of the former China Buffet, which is located near the Sunrise Mall, has been used for periodic field training by units of the City of Citrus Heights Police Department and Metro Fire.
Interested parties can contact the owner/broker, Jarrett Real Estate at 916-298-9342 to schedule a tour of the property.
