SACRAMENTO – In a plea from Heart of Sacramento, the manager of Ruhstaler’s Tap Room on K Street shared a letter on social media outlining the challenges local businesses face.
JE Paino, owner and manager of the taproom, stressed that he had no agenda for writing the letter. Instead, he wanted to highlight his establishment and other problems in the city.
Paino reflected on downtown 10 years ago, “Those days were safer and cleaner and less dangerous.”
Now, it paints a very different picture of what downtown looks like now.
“It’s more dead; in other words, there’s less energy. It’s just a trick,” Paino said.
The letter, now on display at the entrance to the shelter, serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by downtown Sacramento. Specifically, the letter lists concerns about a growing homeless population, more crime and fewer office workers as potential customers.
Brandon Ruiz, a downtown employee and Ruhstaler supporter, acknowledged the problems.
“I think everybody knows there’s a homeless problem on this street,” Ruiz said. “There’s a lot of crime and drugs.”
As Pineo reflected on K Street a decade ago, he posed a question to the community: Is it an area they want to return to?
“If this is what we want, we have to ask the question,” he said.
Paino said he had serious discussions with his staff about the possible closure.
