Business Journal: Firestone Public House, Country Club Plaza, Roseville Galleria

A well-known bar and restaurant in downtown Sacramento is in a trademark dispute with a national tire company. The Sacramento Business Journal's Digital Editor Sonya Sorich says Bridgestone Brands is suing Firestone Public House, accusing the business of violating Bridgestone's trademark of the "Firestone" brand.

"That trademark includes bar and restaurant services with that name as well," says Sorich. "Firestone Public House is at L and 16th streets downtown. The bar was originally at the site of a Firestone tire shop that became known as the Firestone building around Sacramento."

Some legal experts predict the two sides will settle. But they say it's a reminder that businesses should always talk to a trademark lawyer early in the game.

Woody's Grill and Bar in Sacramento's Country Club Plaza will have its final day of business tomorrow. It marks another setback for the mall in the Arden-Arcade neighborhood, which has struggled with vacancies in the past. Sorich says Woody's owner and his wife are both in their 70s and family considerations were a factor in the decision to close.

"But the owner also said he wanted a significant decrease in rent at Country Club Plaza," says Sorich. "And he thinks that the neighborhood around the mall has become largely discount-oriented, which doesn't fit with the contemporary clientele he says that he's trying to attract."

Some of the other businesses that have left the mall include: Macy's, Sport Chalet and Payless Shoes.

However, Sorich says there is some good news for Country Club.

"New businesses at the mall are still moving forward," says Sorich. "We see two new restaurants that are expected to open there in August. And that planned movie theater is still also in the works but that's not expected to open until the summer of 2018."

Some other additions to the mall in recent years include WinCo Foods store and a Planet Fitness gym.