Firehouse Restaurant, Old Sacramento landmark, is getting new owners. What will change?

The Firehouse Restaurant has served as a signature stop for diners in the heart of Old Sacramento for more than 60 years. Now it’s welcoming new owners.

The first fully staffed firehouse in California, the 1853-era building at 1112 Second St. was reinvented as a restaurant in 1960 by the Cope family, according to a news release.

Lloyd Harvego purchased The Firehouse Restaurant in 1999 and ran it for 25 years, the release said. When he died two years ago, Harvego entrusted the restaurant to his son, Terry Harvego.

Now, a new leadership team ushering the restaurant into its next chapter.

Who are Old Sacramento restaurant’s new owners?

The team will be led by Arne Hyson, a regular customer of The Firehouse Restaurant, and Mario Ortiz, who has worked at the restaurant under the previous two owners since 1972.

“I’ve been going to the restaurant for years, and I fell in love with it,” Hyson said in a phone interview with The Sacramento Bee on Thursday afternoon. “The core and the history just changes you.”

While having dinner at the restaurant one night, Hyson said he visited the wine cellar on the bottom floor.

“I met this guy named Mario, who was charming and engaging, and our friendship grew,” he said.

Why is The Firehouse Restaurant getting new ownership?

Terry Harvego was looking for a new owner to carry on The Firehouse Restaurant’s legacy, Hyson said.

“Mario said Terry was trying to run the restaurant from Tennessee, and was looking for someone who could fully carry out his dad’s passion,” he said.

Hyson was exactly who Terry was looking for, Ortiz said.

“I’ve been there since the Cope family and throughout meeting Lloyd Harvego as a guest and then becoming friends,” Ortiz said.

Through the decades, he said The Firehouse Restaurant has maintained its essence without undergoing significant changes.

“It’s just a polished and beautiful restaurant,” Ortiz said. “That’s why Lloyd fell in love with the place and never really changed a lot.”

Despite minor changes to outdated items, he said, “The atmosphere and the cuisine have remained changed.”

“It’s such an amazing place,” Hyson said. “I can’t tell you how honored I am to be taking it on.”

While documents to transfer ownership have been signed, Hyson said he and Ortiz are currently in a 90-day review period.

How will Firehouse Restaurant change?

Though Hyson has no experience owning a restaurant, he said his partnership with Ortiz’s previous experience in the restaurant “will help keep it going into it’s next phase to make it better.”

Over his decades at The Firehouse Restaurant, Ortiz has served in a variety of positions, including busboy, waiter and general manager.

“Relationships and the people that I have met throughout my time at the restaurant have made me who I am,” he said. “Wine, food and people have been my life at The Firehouse.”

In his new role as ambassador, he said his commitment is to continue prioritizing both staff and guests.

Hyson said he does not anticipate the restaurant to undergo any major changes, adding that The Firehouse Restaurant will continue to operate throughout the ownership transition.

Staff and cuisine will remain the same.

“To me, it’s a legacy that we’re being handed,” Hyson said. “I want people to come back and revisit their memories to experience that joy again.”

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