Cracker Barrel closes Sacramento store after 6 years of business: ‘We are deeply saddened’

Popular American chain Cracker Barrel closed the doors this week of its only Sacramento site after about six years of business.

The location at 1000 Howe Ave., which once exuded a southern country feel, is now empty and closed after closing on Monday. A large sign that says “This location is closed” is posted on the building.

A site in Santa Maria was also closed.

“We are deeply saddened to announce that the (Sacramento) location has closed,” Cracker Barrel wrote in a farewell statement to its customers.

“To our Sacramento community – we are honored to welcome guests to a home away from home at our store and value the opportunity to be a part of so many special occasions for our guests and community,” said the Sacramento-based restaurant chain Added. Tennessee.

The site opened in the summer of 2018 to fanfare.

On opening day, the line to enter the restaurant wrapped around the famous front porch, one hungry customer after another, excited to enter the building for the first time.

In a 2018 interview, Sacramento resident Rosalie Vierra said she cut short her vacation to Yellowstone National Park to be there in memory of her Aunt Myrtle.

“(Aunt Myrtle) was wonderful at taking people on trips…she enjoyed taking people (to Cracker Barrel) for the first time,” Vierra said as she rocked back and forth in a rocking chair on the restaurant’s patio. .

Aunt Myrtle had the right idea.

Cracker Barrel was founded in 1969 after founder Dan Evins wanted to “serve the needs of people on the road,” according to its website.

“Evins figured that maybe people traveling on the big new interstate system would appreciate a clean, comfortable and relaxed place to have a good meal and shop,” the chain said.

Crack Barrel is probably best known for its front porch, typically adorned with wooden rocking chairs and chess sets.

Inside the restaurant, customers work to solve brain games at the table while they wait for popular dishes like Old Timer’s Breakfast, Mama’s Pancake Breakfast or Grandma’s Sampler.

A flashing traffic light fixed above the vestibule illuminates the path to the restrooms.

Marketed as a treasure hunt, Old Cracker Barrel store is filled with clothing and accessories, home decor, and that “one of a kind gift for someone.”

Why did Cracker Barrel in Sacramento close?

In an emailed statement Wednesday morning, Cracker Barrel was tight-lipped about the reason for the closure but hinted at performance issues.

“As a normal business routine, we continually evaluate the performance of our stores, using various criteria to ensure we are meeting the needs of our guests and our business,” the chain said.

“The decision to close a store is never taken lightly and our focus now is on helping our affected employees through this transition.”

The company said it offers employee transfers to other locations, severance packages and additional assistance.

“We extend our sincere thanks to our employees who worked hard to keep our fireplace burning and to the guests who dined with us, celebrated with us and made us part of their community,” the chain said.

Other Cracker Barrel Locations

The Cracker Barrel site at 1000 Howe Ave. is permanently closed.

O last permanent location in the Sacramento region is at 4630 Sierra College Blvd. in Rocklin, according to the chain’s website.

The other California sites are in Victorville, Bakersfield, Rialto and Camarillo.

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