Business Journal: Wizard World Comic Con, Moksa Brewing, SpringHill Suites

If you're a fan of comic books and science-fiction movies and like to attend the Wizard World Comic Con events that have been coming to Sacramento for the past few years, it looks like you'll have to travel a little farther next year. The Sacramento Business Journal's Digital Editor Sonya Sorich says the pop-culture convention is skipping Sacramento.

"Organizers said thousands of people attended the most recent local convention, which was held in June at the Sacramento Convention Center," says Sorich. "But when we saw that new 2018 schedule this week, it does not include Sacramento or any California stops."

Organizers wouldn't give a specific reason why...other than to say "Sacramento wasn't a good fit in 2018." Previous Wizard World events in Sacramento included appearances by celebrities William Shatner and Kate Beckinsale.

A much needed new hotel could soon be coming to Placerville...which currently has limited lodging. Sorich says it would be a 120-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott.

"This hotel would be on the west side of Placerville, just off Highway 50," says Sorich. "And Placerville draws a lot of visitors to places such as Apple Hill and the Gold Rush district. But there's actually only a few places people can stay in town."

The project went dormant during the economic downturn. In 2015, the City of Placerville extended the developer's right to build the property. Now, the developer is seeking an additional year. The issue will go to the city's planning commission next week. City staff is recommending approval.

The Sacramento region's competitive brewery scene has prompted one new beer maker to come up with a strategy to build an early following: collaborate with an existing brewery. That's the plan for the upcoming Moksa Brewing Company in Rocklin which is working with the existing Monk's Cellar brewery and restaurant in Roseville to create a new beer. Sorich says it's called Bearded Monk.

"It will be an Imperial Porter made with vanilla beans," says Sorich. "It's common to see existing breweries collaborate on beers. But this strategy could be even more powerful for newer players, since it helps them build name recognition."

The new product should be out sometime next month and served at Monk's Cellar and likely some other local businesses. Moksa could open in Rocklin by the end of the year at a space previously occupied by Dragas Brewing.

September was a busy month for the Sacramento area beer scene with lots of new businesses opening. That included: Bike Dog's new taproom on Broadway; the debut of Capital Hop Shop, a taproom in downtown Sacramento; and the breweries Outbreak in Placerville, Super Owl in Davis and Hillenbrand Farmhaus Brewery in Newcastle. Sorich says October will be a busy month too...with at least one new brewery expected to open.

"Dreaming Dog in Elk Grove is scheduled to have its grand opening on October 7th," says Sorich. "It could also be a busy month on the food scene. Canon, which is a new restaurant in East Sacramento, is scheduled to open October 10th and the new hibachi buffet in Country Club Plaza is scheduled to open October 13th."