A downtown restaurant, Sofia on 11th, is expected to close Saturday — another victim of the recession and Furlough Fridays, as well as a somewhat obscure location. Jeremy and Vicki Bennett, both Mississippi natives, took over the restaurant four years ago with partner Martin Tejeda. Staff was reduced to a skeleton crew in June. Jeremy Bennett shared news of the closing with employees and customers on Thursday. "It just got to the point where I couldn't hold on anymore," he said. Bennett helped seat people when Sofia filled during the lunch rush. Wearing a black T-shirt as he poured iced tea, the most visible sign that he was the owner was the strain on his face. Dinner business droppe

Sacramento's oldest family-run pawn shop will celebrate 100 years in business with a jewelry raffle Tuesday. California Loan & Jewelry Co., 916 J St., will raffle $30,000 in diamonds and gold at 3 p.m. About 5,000 people have entered the drawing, which ended Dec. 31. "It's a way to thank our customers for keeping us in business for 100 years," said Warren Anapolsky. He who owns the store with his brother Larry. The brothers' grandfather and great uncle opened the store in 1909. The raffle is the culmination of a 13-month celebration of the store's longevity. Since December 2008, the family has given $100 to $300 gift cards to customers who won monthly raffles. The gems have been reset