The Sacramento Kings return to the Golden 1 Center Friday for the team’s home opener of the season, sparking excitement amongst fans and members of the business community who count on them to spend their dollars at the stores and restaurants near the arena.“It’s huge for the businesses when the Kings return with their season starting this week. I know a lot of businesses are ramping up staffing. They’re starting new drink specials or menu specials. They’re extending their hours,” said Andrew LaFrance, business development manager for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership. “Back in 2014, Sacramento city leaders set in motion the transformation of what was Downtown Plaza into Downtown Commons, known as DOCO. It would become the future home of the King’s Golden 1 Center arena and a hub for entertainment in the downtown area. | MORE | 40 years in Sacramento: Key moments for the Kings since moving to the Capitol CityLorenzo Koopmeiners, speaking on behalf of the owners of Bumble Bear Coffee on Merchant Street, said the shop’s owners picked its location largely based on the energy they feel downtown. Sheryl Hernandez (who is Koopmeiner’s sister) and Paula Gardner founded the coffee shop in 2024. Koopmeiners works in the shop and says he sees an increase in foot traffic on gamedays, adding sometimes he’ll stay open late to catch fans walking over to DOCO. “ Kings always make us have a little bit more business,” Koopmeiners said. “When the loyal fans come through, it’s actually pretty nice. It brings a lot of energy, brings a lot of buzz.”Golden 1 Center seats nearly 18,000 people, bringing professional basketball downtown as well as a wide range of concerts and events – including the ever popular Disney on Ice and Monster Jam. The SAFE Credit Union Convention Center is also on nearby K Street, bringing in its own visitors downtown with regional and national events. “We’re seeing a lot of those dollars flow into our downtown economy, and we’re really excited to see that,” LaFrance said. LaFrance noted, however, that Sacramento-area residents are large supporters of the downtown economy, too. “The passion that the community has for Sacramento, Sacramentan things, I think is really distinct,” he said. “I don’t know a ton of other midsize cities where people live there, and they feel really passionately they want to support the mom-and-pop shops. They want to support local. They want to buy produce from the region.”The pandemic hit downtown hard as many workers went remote and small businesses struggled to make ends meet. According to LaFrance, vacancy rates downtown are low compared to a couple of years ago with more entrepreneurs seeking out brick-and-mortar locations after several years of consideration.Hot Dog on a Stick is opening its first location downtown; A new fusion pizza place, Tandoori Pizza-DOCO just opened; And a new virtual reality experience is set to open soon in Downtown Commons, LaFrance said.Pregame Vintage, on K Street, sells preloved sneakers, vintage clothing and no shortage of Sacramento Kings gear. They’ve been in the area for about four years.“We love being on K Street, right across the street, from where the Kings play,” said co-owner Allen Suetos. “The energy down here is just very lively.”Suetos, who took over ownership of the store about six months ago from a family member, said the location of the shop played a large role in his wanting to buy the business. Noting, specifically, the increase in foot traffic and burst of energy he sees during basketball season.“There’s a lot more people out here and lots of people walking around,” he said. “ love supporting the Kings.”He admits, being a small business owner downtown comes with its challenges. He and his team do their best to navigate them, he said, and have no intention of looking for another location despite them.“For the most part, we don’t have any real issues with anybody, as long as you treat people with respect,” he said. “I think that’s all everybody wants.”See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

The Sacramento Kings return to the Golden 1 Center Friday for the team’s home opener of the season, sparking excitement amongst fans and members of the business community who count on them to spend their dollars at the stores and restaurants near the arena.

“It’s huge for the businesses when the Kings return with their season starting this week. I know a lot of businesses are ramping up staffing. They’re starting new drink specials or menu specials. They’re extending their hours,” said Andrew LaFrance, business development manager for the Downtown Sacramento Partnership. “

Back in 2014, Sacramento city leaders set in motion the transformation of what was Downtown Plaza into Downtown Commons, known as DOCO. It would become the future home of the King’s Golden 1 Center arena and a hub for entertainment in the downtown area.

| MORE | 40 years in Sacramento: Key moments for the Kings since moving to the Capitol City

Lorenzo Koopmeiners, speaking on behalf of the owners of Bumble Bear Coffee on Merchant Street, said the shop’s owners picked its location largely based on the energy they feel downtown. Sheryl Hernandez (who is Koopmeiner’s sister) and Paula Gardner founded the coffee shop in 2024.

Koopmeiners works in the shop and says he sees an increase in foot traffic on gamedays, adding sometimes he’ll stay open late to catch fans walking over to DOCO.

“[The] Kings always make us have a little bit more business,” Koopmeiners said. “When the loyal fans come through, it’s actually pretty nice. It brings a lot of energy, brings a lot of buzz.”

Golden 1 Center seats nearly 18,000 people, bringing professional basketball downtown as well as a wide range of concerts and events – including the ever popular Disney on Ice and Monster Jam. The SAFE Credit Union Convention Center is also on nearby K Street, bringing in its own visitors downtown with regional and national events.

“We’re seeing a lot of those dollars flow into our downtown economy, and we’re really excited to see that,” LaFrance said.

LaFrance noted, however, that Sacramento-area residents are large supporters of the downtown economy, too.

“The passion that the community has for Sacramento, Sacramentan things, I think is really distinct,” he said. “I don’t know a ton of other midsize cities where people live there, and they feel really passionately [that] they want to support the mom-and-pop shops. They want to support local. They want to buy produce from the region.”

The pandemic hit downtown hard as many workers went remote and small businesses struggled to make ends meet. According to LaFrance, vacancy rates downtown are low compared to a couple of years ago with more entrepreneurs seeking out brick-and-mortar locations after several years of consideration.

Hot Dog on a Stick is opening its first location downtown; A new fusion pizza place, Tandoori Pizza-DOCO just opened; And a new virtual reality experience is set to open soon in Downtown Commons, LaFrance said.

Pregame Vintage, on K Street, sells preloved sneakers, vintage clothing and no shortage of Sacramento Kings gear. They’ve been in the area for about four years.

“We love being on K Street, right across the street, from where the Kings play,” said co-owner Allen Suetos. “The energy down here is just very lively.”

Suetos, who took over ownership of the store about six months ago from a family member, said the location of the shop played a large role in his wanting to buy the business. Noting, specifically, the increase in foot traffic and burst of energy he sees during basketball season.

“There’s a lot more people out here and lots of people walking around,” he said. “[People] love supporting the Kings.”

He admits, being a small business owner downtown comes with its challenges. He and his team do their best to navigate them, he said, and have no intention of looking for another location despite them.

“For the most part, we don’t have any real issues with anybody, as long as you treat people with respect,” he said. “I think that’s all everybody wants.”

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel