Eatery's opening seen as a boost
Housed in the Clarion Hotel, Zigatos will join Fulton Avenue development efforts.
By Ramon Coronado - rcoronado@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PST Thursday, January 24, 2008
High hopes are hinging on the successful return of a restaurant to the Arden area at Fulton Avenue and Auburn Boulevard.
"There are upgrading opportunities at that corner," said Melinda Eppler, executive director of the Fulton Avenue Association. "It would be nice if a restaurant leads that transformation."
Although the opening of Zigatos Bar & Grille at the Clarion Hotel is new, people in Sacramento have been eating at Zigatos for 11 years.
"This is the third incarnation," owner Steve Zeigler said.
The eatery first opened at the How 'Bout Arden shopping center and then moved to the Canterbury Inn and Conference Center, off Highway 160 near the Woodlake neighborhood.
Along with the restaurant, Zeigler has moved his Capital City Catering business he has operated since 1984. The two will share the same kitchen.
Tim Cahill, chair of the Arden Arcade Business Council, said Zeigler's relocation to Fulton Avenue is part of a growing number of businesses that are investing in the area.
"Steve is a tested restaurateur and businessman," Cahill said.
"Seeing Steve Zeigler move into the area is an indication of what has been happening for years," Cahill said.
Eppler, who has coordinated recent improvements along Fulton Avenue, said Zeigler not only brings a quality restaurant, but his catering business may also serve the area's two hotels and a Holiday Inn Express that is planned for Auburn Boulevard.
The location is prime, Eppler said, because it is considered the gateway to Fulton Avenue, which is Sacramento County's largest revenue-producing economic corridor.
"It has freeway visibility and figures into the future of the area," Eppler said, referring to Honda and Mercedes dealerships under construction directly across the freeway.
South of the restaurant are vacant used-car lots, which could become new-car dealerships or other large businesses, she said.
But aside from the revitalization of the area, the restaurant's opening brings back memories of years past.
In the late 1960s when the hotel was built and called the Carl Greer Inn, it was a popular dining and dancing hangout for all of Sacramento, said Ron Berger, who is a property manager for the Clarion's owner.
"It had a large pipe organ built into the floor. It was the first such organ in Sacramento," Berger said.
The hotel, which has had over a half-dozen owners, is also earmarked for upgrade.
"We are going to do some renovation in our guest rooms. Some replastering in the pool, cosmetic work in our lobby and some landscaping," Berger said.
The hotel, which hasn't had a restaurant for years, has about 7,000 square feet of banquet and meeting room space that Zeigler intends to use for events he can service with his catering business.
"People don't know we are here, but there are people here and we serve food. The two go hand in hand," Zeigler said.
The food at Zigatos is moderately priced.
"We fall in between Paragary's and Chili's," he said.
His target clientele are people 30 years of age and up and he has set up his weekly schedule accordingly.
On Wednesday night he has live music for seniors. Thursday night is comedy night and Friday night is for the blues. Weekend evenings are dedicated to karaoke.
"I feel we are little unique to the area," he said.
"With my existing clientele base, and the area, I think the restaurant has a future."
