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Old Town Pizza\u2019s new location is seen under construction at the former Post Office at 320 Vernon St. in downtown Roseville on Friday, March 20, 2026. The local chain is transforming the 91-year-old building into a three-level restaurant and entertainment space as part of an $8 million project expected to open by August.<\/p>\n
Nicole Buss<\/p>\n
nicole.buss@sacbee.com<\/p>\n
Old Town Pizza has spent a decade trying to secure a foothold in downtown Roseville. Now, the local chain is preparing to anchor itself in one of the city\u2019s most visible \u2014 and long-dormant \u2014 building.<\/p>\n
But it will take a little longer than expected \u2014 with a slated open date now set for August.<\/p>\n
At 320 Vernon St., construction crews are transforming Roseville\u2019s former post office into a three-level restaurant and rooftop bar, a project that Old Town Pizza<\/a> founder Reese Browning said will bring new life to a property that has sat largely unused since the U.S. Postal Service left in 2020.<\/p>\n The move marks a shift not just in geography, but in identity. Old Town Pizza, long associated with Roseville\u2019s bar district and more traditional offerings, is moving into the city\u2019s civic core \u2014 directly across from City Hall and Vernon Street Town Square \u2014 with a larger, more ambitious concept.<\/p>\n \u201cIt really couldn\u2019t be better being directly across from City Hall,\u201d Browning said. \u201cVernon Street is the city\u2019s main street so it\u2019s where all the parades are, the community gatherings and all that kind of stuff. So it couldn\u2019t be a better location.\u201d<\/p>\n The building itself carried decades of history.<\/p>\n Constructed in phases between the 1930s and 1960s, it had once been central to daily life in Roseville before becoming a lingering redevelopment question for city leaders. The city purchased the half-acre site in 2010, envisioning a dense, six-story mixed-use project with a hotel, housing, retail and a rooftop restaurant. That plan ultimately fell through when developers determined the site could not support the scale.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was purchased by a developer that would do Roseville\u2019s vision. About five or so years into their project, they told the city they couldn\u2019t do it,\u201d he said. \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t pencil. It didn\u2019t make any sense, and they were going to sell the property.\u201d<\/p>\n For Browning, the scaled-back reality created an opening for his business, saying the location was central to the vision.<\/p>\n \u201cWe always wanted to be in the old historic downtown areas, which were close to now in our location, but not right on main street. So we inquired about the property again, and they said \u2018yes, we\u2019d be happy to have you do it this time\u2019,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Browning said acquiring the property had been a 10-year pursuit for the company, which also operates locations in Auburn and Lincoln. The chain ultimately purchased the building for $1.75 million, part of an $8 million investment to reimagine the 91-year-old structure.<\/p>\n What emerges will be designed to be both familiar and expanded, Browning said.<\/p>\n The ground floor is envisioned around a traditional sit-down dining experience. Above it, a rooftop level \u2014 expected to seat up to 300 people \u2014 is designed as a gathering space, with views and an atmosphere tailored for events and nightlife. Each level would include a full bar, a notable evolution for a brand that had historically focused on beer and wine.<\/p>\n \u201cGenerally, we\u2019ve only been a beer and wine company, but we\u2019ve added full liquor to our Roseville location,\u201d Browning said.<\/p>\n The transformation has not been without setbacks. Construction began roughly a year ago but slowed due to design approval challenges tied to the rooftop and winter storms that caused water damage to parts of the aging structure. Even so, Browning said the project was now on track for an August opening.<\/p>\n Browning said the project cost comes mostly from the rooftop experience that they are creating.<\/p>\n \u201cThe vast majority of the money and time that it takes to renovate the property was to structurally reinforce the roof so that we could have people up there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Browning said a second phase is already planned. After opening, the basement \u2014 another underutilized portion of the building \u2014 is expected to be converted into a private event space, Browning said.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n
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