Sacramento's famous little vintage diner, Jim-Denny's, is about to quietly change hands. Regulars and history buffs can breathe a sigh of relief: The buyer plans to keep the 76-year-old landmark restaurant operating right where it is, said broker Dave Herrera of Colliers International. An investor who values the diner's history is purchasing the business and the property at 816 12th St. It's expected to close escrow in the next two weeks. "He had a lot of interest because of the history that the building and business have had, and the impact it's had on all the locals," Herrera said. An agreement was reached within about a week of when the historic diner and restaurant business was mar

Sacramento landmark Jim-Denny’s went up for sale Monday. The Lane family has decided to sell the historic white and red diner after five years so Patsy Lane, the heart and soul behind the counter, can retire to Montana. The restaurant has served breakfasts and burgers for 76 years – first at 16th and J streets, where Jim Van Nort initially opened the restaurant. Van Nort moved the business to 816 12th St. after returning from WWII. The Lanes struggled with the decision even before the diner was featured on the Travel Channel show Man v. Food in late September. Lane just turned 60, and she's ready to take it a little easier, said her daughter, Joanna Lane, part owner along with her mothe

Cornerstone Restaurant will have until Sept. 1 to move to its new location at a nearby vacant church. The family-run restaurant's owners, Kwang "Joe" Jang and brother-in-law Danny Leung, reached an agreement with their landlords in court Friday. The landlords agreed to let them keep operating at 2330 J St. while Jang and Leung remodel a Spanish-style church just a block away at 23rd and K streets, said Jang, who sounded relieved. "I'm excited about it," Jang, 42, said Monday. "I think it will be a better place: newer and nicer." That also means Midtown residents won't lose an establishment that's been a neighborhood fixture for at least 20 to 30 years. Cornerstone has served affordabl

Repairs are under way at a historic Midtown building whose front end caved in after being rammed by a truck last May. The 81-year-old brick building at 16th and U streets had long been vacant when an Icee truck and an SUV collided and ran up onto the sidewalk May 19. The front end of the 2,889-square-foot building had been covered by a modern glass-and-stucco storefront facade for years. Standing on busy 16th Street, the building held a prominent role in the Richmond Grove neighborhood for decades. The structure was built in 1929 as an early Safeway grocery store. That was followed by a hardware store, cigar shop, Chinese grocery and massage parlor. The building had been vacant before an

Sacramento's restaurants are a clear reflection of the times, with high-end establishments taking a beating and fast food expected to continue to rise in 2010. As the recession continues, top-tier central city restaurants such as 55 Degrees and Masons have closed or begun transforming into more affordable dining. Similarly high-end chains, such as Ruth's Chris Steak House, just outside the central city, and Morton's The Steakhouse, and celebrated local establishments are reported to be in trouble. Casual restaurants have also been seriously hurt by the economy. But fast-food restaurants like McDonald's are expanding and the demand for "fast-casual" restaurant concepts is exploding. "Eve