ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Entering 2026, Elk Grove residents will see a mix of long-anticipated openings and new additions that continue to shape the city’s growing and diverse local economy. 

Several developments closed out 2025 and are carrying momentum into the new year; here are some of the latest updates shaping Elk Grove’s retail and dining scene.

Interlude Kitchen & Bar

A familiar restaurant site has been given new life at the corner of Laguna Boulevard and Laguna Springs Drive, replacing the former Romano’s Macaroni Grill with a new dining concept, Interlude Kitchen & Bar.

The restaurant is described as offering an elevated modern American dining experience built around a wood-fired cooking. According to its website, the menu draws French and Italian influences while following a “farm-to-fork philosophy,” and lists Prelude Kitchen & Bar and Zinfandel Grille as its sister restaurants.

Diners can also expect curated wine pairings and handcrafted cocktails, with featured entrees including Wood Grilled Prime Ribeye, King Salmon and Bucatini Carbonara.

Interlude Kitchen & Bar is located in the Laguna Gateway shopping center, alongside anchors such as T.J. Maxx and Home Depot, and held its soft opening in late December.

Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen was among the city leaders who welcomed the opening and shared details in a social media post on Dec. 19, noting the restaurant is owned by Elk Grove natives Allen Kou and Won Trinh. She also highlighted Interlude Kitchen & Bar as a recipient of the city’s breweries, restaurants and wineries program, known as the BReW program.

“The BReW program is designed to support businesses that bring elevated culinary concepts to Elk Grove, strengthen our local economy and enhance our community’s sense of place,” Singh-Allen wrote. “Interlude is a perfect example of that vision in action.”

More information, including the full menu and reservations, is available at interluderestaurant.com.

 

Planet Fitness is coming soon to Laguna 99 Plaza, taking over the former California Backyard space and offering a more convenient location for members who live in Elk Grove. 

Planet Fitness Opening Soon

In May 2025, the Elk Grove Citizen reported that Planet Fitness would expand into Elk Grove with a new location at Laguna 99 Plaza, taking over the space formerly occupied by outdoor patio retailer California Backyard. The new gym is expected to offer a more convenient option for local members, who currently travel about 15 minutes to the nearest Planet Fitness on Mack Road in Sacramento.

As the new year begins, signage has been installed and interior renovations appear near completion, though an official opening date has not been confirmed. A status update on Google indicates the gym is expected to open in January. Some prospective members have expressed concerns online about being billed before the facility opens.

“I have signed up; I was charged for the month of January, but the gym is still closed? I cannot use other locations,” wrote user Baryalai Wazeen in a Google review.

The Elk Grove Citizen reached out to Planet Fitness for an official opening date but received no response from the contact listed on its website. The location is offering pre-sale membership deals at planetfitness.com/gyms/elk-grove-ca.

Marshalls at The Ridge

A major retail addition is coming to The Ridge Shopping Center at Elk Grove Boulevard and Bruceville Road. 

Marshalls, an off-price retailer in the T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods family, was announced as a future tenant at the southeast corner of the shopping center.

As reported by the Sacramento Business Journal in November 2025, Marshalls will occupy a 20,000-square-foot space near Nordstrom Rack and Club Studio gym. The Ridge is anchored by Costco and Amazon Fresh and is home to businesses including Sephora, In-N-Out, Buffalo Wild Wings, Olive Garden and Crumbl.

Elk Grove Village Center New Retail Underway

Retail activity is also picking up at the Elk Grove Village Shopping Center. Last spring, The Citizen reported that Asian supermarket chain SF Supermarket would take over the former Big Lots space on Elk Grove Boulevard.

A few months later, Brixton Capital, the real estate group that owns the CVS Pharmacy in the same plaza, announced it had acquired the Elk Grove Village Shopping Center for $10.6 million. 

In a news release, the group noted the plaza is fully leased with long-term tenants including Arby’s, Macque’s BBQ, Plaza del Sol restaurant and Papa Murphy’s Pizza.

 

Planet Fitness is coming soon to Laguna 99 Plaza, taking over the former California Backyard space and offering a more convenient location for members who live in Elk Grove. 

New Retail and Restaurants at The Village

Looking ahead, one of Elk Grove’s largest commercial projects is moving closer to opening. 

In November, Pappas Investments, the company overseeing The Village project at Elk Grove and Big Horn boulevards, released an online brochure indicating that Barnes & Noble would be joining the lineup of incoming tenants.

The Village Shopping Center is expected to bring 110,000 square feet of new retail, dining and grocery space to the area. 

Previously announced businesses included Whole Foods as the anchor tenant, along with Mendocino Farms, Yard House, Shake Shack, Philz Coffee and an additional Chick-fil-A location. The project will also include a SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.

According to a news release from a contractor on the project, the shopping center is expected to open sometime this year.

Victoria’s Secret at Laguna Crossroads

Victoria’s Secret and PINK marked its grand opening in November 2025, taking over the former Kirkland’s space at the Laguna Crossroads shopping center at Laguna Boulevard and Bruceville Road. The store is located between Bob’s Discount Furniture and Mattress Store and Total Wine & More.

The retailer is a major women’s lingerie and intimates brand and also offers clothing, accessories and fragrances.

 

Victoria’s Secret and PINK, which opened in November 2025, took over the former Kirkland’s space at Laguna Crossroads on Laguna Boulevard and Bruceville Road.