Historic Firehouse Restaurant in Old Sac Announces New Owner

Once California’s first fully equipped fire station, the historic Firehouse Restaurant is set to undergo a change this summer. The Harvego family announced Wednesday that it would sell the Old Sacramento landmark to a group of partners. “It’s legendary,” said Terry Harvego, whose family currently owns the Firehouse restaurant. “You can’t replicate The Firehouse. You can’t put this place in a new mall. » For 60 years, only two families have owned the restaurant, including Harvegos; His father bought the company in 1999. “It was my father’s passion. He loved it there,” he said. “For 23 years, he loved everything. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2022 and I took over. On Wednesday, the family announced plans to sell the restaurant to a group of partners, led by Arne Hyson and Mario Ortiz. Hyson and Ortiz will be joined by partners Adam Ortner, Melissa Lance and Christopher Barnett, according to a press release. The trio, he said, have worked with Hyson for more than a decade in health care administration. Ortiz, however, is no stranger to the restaurant. “You can easily fall in love with The Firehouse,” Ortiz said. “I started as a busboy and worked many, many nights while I was in school. It was the early 1970s. He remembers his parents and siblings picking him up from work and finding a deep connection to space after he worked his way up to serving events specials and large group meals. “I didn’t have to turn tables as many times,” he said. . “I got to know them throughout the evening and that allowed me to build relationships. From that moment on, I really enjoyed this job. » Decades later, he says, he still can’t believe he found himself preparing for this new position. “I might get emotional. I know the history of this place,” he said. Speaking on behalf of the new owners, Ortiz said there will be changes, but guests should expect the same love and care they previously received inside. “The legacy of the fire station is incredible. and I think we’re going to build on that,” he said. The change of ownership is expected to take place this summer, they said. For more on California’s top news stories, click here | Download our app.

SACRAMENTO, California —

“It’s legendary,” said Terry Harvego, whose family currently owns the Firehouse restaurant. “You can’t replicate The Firehouse. You can’t put this place in a new mall.

For 60 years, only two families have owned the restaurant, including Harvegos; His father bought the company in 1999.

“It was my father’s passion. He loved it there,” he said. “For 23 years, he loved everything. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2022 and I took over.

There were some tears and moments of doubt, Harvego admits, but he said his goal was to preserve the restaurant’s legacy and he had faith in the new team.

On Wednesday, the family announced plans to sell the restaurant to a group of partners, led by Arne Hyson and Mario Ortiz. Hyson and Ortiz will be joined by partners Adam Ortner, Melissa Lance and Christopher Barnett, according to a press release. The trio, he says, have worked with Hyson for more than a decade in health care administration.

Ortiz, however, is no stranger to the restaurant.

“You can easily fall in love with The Firehouse,” Ortiz said. “I started as a waiter and worked many, many nights while I was studying.

It was the early 1970s. He remembers his parents and siblings picking him up from work and finding a deep connection to space after he worked his way up to serving special events and large group meals.

“I didn’t have to turn tables as many times,” he said. “I got to know them throughout the evening and it allowed me to build relationships. From that moment on, I really enjoyed this job.

Decades later, he says, he still can’t believe he’s preparing to take on this new position.

“I might get emotional. I know the history of this place,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the new owners, Ortiz said there will be some changes, but customers should expect the same love and care they previously experienced inside.

“The legacy of the fire station is incredible and I think we’re going to build on that,” he said.

The change of ownership is expected to take place this summer, they said.

See more coverage of California’s top stories here | Download our app.