Business Journal: Zebra Mopeds In Sacramento; Raley's Community Rooms; Original Perry's, Ruffhaus Closing

Zebra Brings Monthly Moped Rentals To Sacramento

Electric mopeds are hitting the streets of Sacramento. The Sacramento Business Journal's Sonya Sorich says a startup in San Francisco called Zebra began delivering electric riding scooters to Sacramento customers last month.

"These are different from the scooters that are already on the streets because they are leased month-to-month and used by just one customer,” says Sorich. “The motorized scooters have a top speed of 30 mph.”

Unlike the rentable bikes and scooters, you'll need a driver's license for Zebra's mopeds. They also have removable battery packs that can be plugged into a standard wall outlet. These new scooters rent for $99 a month, which includes maintenance and a helmet.

Raley’s Launches Community Rooms

The West Sacramento-based grocery chain Raley's is trying something new to get more people into its brick-and-mortar sites: community rooms. Right now, the new rooms are at a single location — a Bel Air store in Folsom. Sorich says three rooms are available.

"One is a general conference room, which is sort of similar to what Raley's has offered in the past, but with more pizazz,” says Sorich. “There's also a fitness room in the store with equipment such as yoga mats. And the third room is a play space for children."

Members of the store's customer loyalty program, Something Extra, can reserve the rooms online, free of charge, beginning in January. The workout area and play room occupy space that was previously used by an in-store pharmacy. In October, Raley's announced plans to close 27 pharmacies at stores it operates, and the Folsom Bel Air was among the affected locations.

Original Perry’s, Ruffhaus Closing

A couple of Sacramento area restaurants are closing. Sorich says Original Perry's on Stockton Boulevard in the south Sacramento area is closing after 51 years in business.

"This diner will have its final day on Sunday,” says Sorich. “Also, Ruffhaus Hot Dog Company is closing after nearly 10 years in the El Dorado Hills Town Center. It will have its final day later this month."

She says, while every closure is due to different factors, the restaurant industry is getting more competitive in the Sacramento area. Operators are finding it harder to find workers and are dealing with rising rents and an increasing minimum wage.