Sammy's Rockin' Island Bar & Grill Reopening In Roseville Months After Owner Found Dead
ROSEVILLE (CBS13) — Sammy's Rockin' Island Bar & Grill is getting ready to reopen months after the owner disappeared and was later found dead.
It was the crown jewel in the effort to revitalize downtown Roseville. After it closed, people were worried the effort would end with it.
But now with its doors opening again on Vernon Street, there's hope, says Chris Robles with the Roseville Community Development Corporation.
"Now I think we have an opportunity to be bigger and better than it was before," he said.
He says rock icon Sammy Hagar has decided to take over the lease.
"He's going to be down here playing on occasion and bring some of his friends as well," Robles said. "So, we are really excited about what that could potentially bring."
Shop owners like Capone Burns at nearby Quality Clothing hopes the reopening of Sammy's will mean a boost for his sales.
It was just eight months ago when the revitalization effort along Vernon Street in jeopardy after owner Steven Pease disappeared. His body would be found off of the Mendocino coast days later.
"This restaurant wouldn't have happened with out his efforts,so we are really caring carrying that vision forward," Robles said.
With Sammy's now set to rock again, Roseville's downtown maybe finally striking the right chord with new business owners like Andy Klein, who plans to open a Belgian brewery next door.
"The difference now is that there is this huge energy and there is a lot of money going in down here," he said.
But it also means antique shops that have called Vernon Street home for 30 years are on the go. Ask Charlie Zimmer and he seems ok with it. He says it's time for a new look downtown.
"I'm happy for that and with that new little brewery going in next door it should really stir things up," he said.
Roseville leaders are also excited that three more prospective shop owners are in serious talks to take over leases within the next few months, meaning new stores on Vernon Street in the near future.