Located in Folsom’s Historic District, Plank Craft Kitchen & Bar has been named October 2026 Small Business of the Month for the 7th Assembly District. Photo courtesy of Assemblyman Josh Hoover

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Assemblyman Josh Hoover (R–Folsom) announced Monday, Oct. 12 that Plank Craft Kitchen & Bar has been named the October 2026 Small Business of the Month for the 7th Assembly District.

Located in Folsom’s Historic District, Plank Craft Kitchen & Bar has become a gathering place for the community, combining exceptional food and hospitality with a strong commitment to supporting local organizations and causes.

Owned and operated by John and Frankie Arata, Plank represents the fulfillment of a longtime dream of owning a restaurant. The couple made that dream a reality when they purchased the business in late 2024. Since then, they have worked to build upon Plank’s strong foundation while creating a welcoming atmosphere centered on exceptional service, quality food, and genuine hospitality.

At the heart of Plank is a dedicated team of 45 employees who help make the restaurant a special place for customers and the community. Plank is also truly a family business, with John and Frankie’s children, Luke and Regan, working alongside their parents while attending college full-time. Luke attends Sacramento State, while Regan attends Folsom Lake College, bringing together hard work, education and entrepreneurship.

Giving back to the community is an important part of Plank’s mission. The business supports a wide range of local organizations and causes, including Twin Lakes Food Bank, Jake’s Journey Home, EDH Blue Star Moms, the Folsom Police Foundation, the Folsom History Museum, Sutter Street Theatre, local youth programs, and numerous other community organizations and events. Through this involvement, John and Frankie have demonstrated a commitment to being active partners in the community they serve.

Plank’s commitment to quality and hospitality has also earned significant recognition. The restaurant was honored in the Folsom Times Best of 2025–26 awards for Burger, Craft Cocktail, Patio, and Family Dining. In addition, Plank was named the Folsom Times 2026 Business of the Year, recognizing its contributions to the local business community and its place in the life of Folsom.

“John and Frankie Arata have built something special at Plank Craft Kitchen & Bar,” said Assemblyman Josh Hoover. “They have created a welcoming place for families and friends to gather, built a business that supports 45 employees, and demonstrated a real commitment to giving back to the Folsom community. I am proud to recognize Plank as the 7th Assembly District’s Small Business of the Month and grateful for the Aratas and their entire team for helping make Folsom such a great place to live, work, and do business.”

Assemblyman Hoover congratulates John and Frankie Arata and the entire Plank Craft Kitchen & Bar team on this well-deserved recognition and wishes them continued success for many years to come.

Plank Craft Kitchen & Bar is located at 608 Sutter Street, Folsom.