Sizzler in Carson City closes because of economy

The economic downturn has proved too much for one north Carson City restaurant.

The Sizzler restaurant, 3033 N. Carson St., closed for good Saturday night. A sign on the front door urges patrons to visit their restaurant in Cameron Park, Calif.

"It was very disappointing," said Sally Myers, owner with her husband Gary of BMW Management, which operates 24 Sizzler franchises, including the one in Carson City. "We are in a deep recession, and unfortunately the plans we had for the Carson City store we can't complete at this time."

Myers said with banks not lending money and the economy in such a state, they could not continue with the Carson City operation. The company also shut down one of its franchises in Orange County, Calif., last month.

BMW Management bought the Carson City Sizzler five years ago, with plans to either gut the building and do a full renovation, or to build a new facility, according to Myers. The company is the largest owner of Sizzler franchises in the United States.

Myers said that between 25 and 30 employees are affected by the closing, most of them part time.

"We enjoyed having it and loved all of our staff and it's disappointing," she said. "We had some great plans for the Carson City Sizzler, which we still hope to do one day."

Another restaurant in north Carson City, Mr. Pickles, also closed recently. The Station Grille restaurant in south Carson City closed in November.

"It is always of major concern to the Chamber when even one employee is released," said Ronni Hannaman, executive director of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce. "The downturn in the economy is certainly playing havoc in our community, but we can only hope that this is not just the tip of the iceberg."

Hannaman said that while these closings are disappointing news, there are other new businesses opening, and others that are expanding operations in Carson City.

- Contact reporter Kirk Caraway at kcaraway@nevadaappeal.com or (775) 881-1261.