Wonderful news for their long-time fans (including your blogger) and the return of a city landmark.
Mexican eatery returns
Mayor hosts a welcome-back party for the refurbished 524 Restaurant on 12th Street.
By Edgar Sanchez - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, October 4, 2007
Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo waited nearly three months to visit the newly reopened 524 Restaurant in Alkali Flat.
When she finally stopped by last week, it was to throw a party to celebrate the return of the 524 four years after it was extensively damaged by fire.
With its festive interior colors, the restored landmark looked ready for a fiesta -- in appreciation of the nearly $1 million that was spent to renovate the historic building that houses it at 524 12th St….
Founded in 1969 by Miguel Gomez, the Mexican restaurant developed a loyal following that included politicians, journalists, teachers and other lovers of good food at good prices.
But in the predawn hours of Sept. 22, 2003, a fire broke out in the kitchen after the staff had gone home.
Though confined mostly to the kitchen, the flames generated thick, acrid smoke that spread through much of the building.
Concepcion Gutierrez, then co-owner of the 524, described the blaze as accidental.
"A cook ... who was always the last to leave the premises told me that he forgot to turn off a gas valve in the kitchen," Gutierrez told The Bee. "The gas eventually ignited some oil, causing the fire."
At the time, Jose "Pepe" Gomez was a co-owner of the building.
Lacking funds to renovate, he and the other owners opted to sell.
The building was purchased in January 2005 for $350,000 by Mario and Maria Jauregui of Modesto, who immediately announced plans to revitalize it.
Jauregui, a businessman, is Jose Gomez's nephew.
The 10-month refurbishment was completed late this spring at a cost of just under $1 million, including a $90,000 SHRA grant.
