(Updated 9/10/2021) Description and review of The Bank, an upscale food court located in the historic D.O. Mills Bank Building at 7th and J Streets in Downtown Sacramento. NEW: Re-opening announced. See UPDATE below.
I recently met a friend at The Bank midweek for drinks and to catch up. I had been asked a number of times if I had been to “The Bank” so I assumed (you know what they say about that!) it was fully up and running. My assumption was wrong.
Moments after entering The Bank I realized that not all of the announced tenants had yet set up shop in the building. That fact, combined with very limited operating hours at that point in time (opening at 4:00 p.m.), had me rethink writing a review.
My friend and I had a beverage, and admired the beautiful interior of the majestic building. The bar on the first floor was doing a good business, but there was only one bartender holding down the fort so to speak – so service was somewhat lacking.
Despite the fact that the bar/restaurant was not crowded that evening, we both commented on the noise level.
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Fast forward – while Mama Kim’s and Preservation Kitchen & Market are still said to be “coming soon” The Bank has recently expanded its hours. According to its website you will shortly find one or more food vendors serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.
Currently open (as of March, 2019) are:
- Harvey’s Café serving coffee drinks from Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters; baked goods from Bella Bru and Boy’s Bakery; sandwiches and salads from Zia’s Delicatessen; ice cream from The Latest Scoop; and gelato from Conscious Creamery
- Platypus Pizza Co. serving meat-centric pizza
- Poke Bros. serving poke bowls, sushi rolls, soup, etc.
- Station 8 serving burgers and fries, lobster rolls, etc.
Who Was D.O Mills?
Darius Ogden Mills (September 25, 1825 to January 3, 1910) was a prominent banker and philanthropist. Born in the state of New York, he came West during the California Gold Rush.
Mills decided to make California his home, and after selling his business interests on the East Coast he returned to Sacramento where he founded the National Gold Bank of D.O. Mills & Co.
In 1864, Mills moved to San Francisco where he helped found, and became the first president of, The Bank of California.
Sacramentans may be interested in particular to learn that the statue in the State Capitol Building that depicts Queen Isabella financing Christopher Columbus’s first voyage was donated by Mills.
D.O. Mills Bank Building
The original National Gold Bank of D.O. Mills & Co. building was erected in 1852 near the intersection of 2nd and J Streets in Old Sacramento. That building was apparently razed for the construction of Interstate 5 – as were many other buildings in the vicinity.
The D.O. Mills Bank Building located at 926 J Street was built in 1912 and later expanded in 1926-1927. The building is an excellent example of the Neo-classical Style of architecture. The 30,000 square feet building includes three floors, gilded ceilings and a spiral staircase.
Many Sacramentans are familiar with the D.O. Mills Bank Building as it served as an event center for 25+ years.
Updates
(9/10/2021) The Bank has announced its reopening after having been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The re-opening will be on Friday, September 17th. The days and hours of operation will be Tuesday – Saturday, 4:00 p.m. to Close. The announcement reads: Pour yourself a beer! All 67 taps will be flowing in our vault taproom. Grab a craft cocktail at the mezzanine bar & grab a bite in the concourse!
(5/26/2021) Broken link removed.
Comments?
What has been your experience?
The Bank Snapshot (as of 9/10/21):
- 629 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 (7th & J Streets)
- (916) 557-9910
- Days/Hours of operation: Tuesday – Saturday (4:00 p.m. to Close)
- Street parking
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