A much talked about former bar and grill in El Dorado Hills is finally showing signs of new life, thanks to the vision of a seasoned hospitality entrepreneur and a local partner with deep roots in the community.
The familiar building at 363 Green Valley Road, once the longtime home of The Purple Place Bar and Grill, is being reimagined under the direction of Eric Rushing and Thomas Holzmann. Both residents of El Dorado Hills, the duo is preparing to launch a fresh new bar and restaurant concept in the space that has sat vacant since 2022.
Rushing brings years of industry experience, having played a key role in launching some of Sacramento’s most successful nightlife venues, including Goldfield Trading Post, Ace of Spades, and The Cabin. Holzmann, while new to the restaurant and bar business, brings a local perspective and shared investment in creating something the community can embrace.
While the final name and branding have yet to be announced, Rushing confirmed the space will undergo a complete identity transformation, including cosmetic updates to both the interior and exterior—meaning the building’s signature purple hue will soon be a thing of the past. The new venue will feature a menu centered on American cuisine and may incorporate live entertainment in a limited capacity, though it is not intended as a concert venue.
If all goes as planned, the team anticipates opening the business within the next six months, according to the Sacramento Business Journal, who first reported the news of the new tenancy.
The relaunch comes nearly three years after The Purple Place served its last meal. Once a staple of the El Dorado Hills community, the restaurant and bar first opened in 1955 and became a go-to gathering spot for locals of all ages. Under the ownership of Denise and Mike Hountalas beginning in 2006, the venue grew into a lively destination known for its food, music, and family-friendly atmosphere.
However, behind the scenes, a breakdown in lease negotiations between the Hountalas family and property owner Amy Anders led to the business’s closure in August 2022. The two sides offered differing views on the failed talks, with rent increases, improvement costs, and communication challenges all playing a role. The situation quickly became a public one, as locals mourned the loss of a beloved community landmark and the once-vibrant space was left vacant.
Now, after months of interest from various potential operators, Anders found what she called the right fit in Rushing and Holzmann—a combination of experience, vision, and local investment that she believes will restore the site’s role as a gathering place for the community.
The revival of 363 Green Valley Road is just one of several projects on Rushing’s radar. His newest venture in Folsom, Yager Lodge, is also nearing completion. Hiring for that location began this week, with an opening expected within the next month.
As El Dorado Hills prepares to welcome something new in a familiar spot, the building’s next chapter is beginning to take shape—not as a copy of the past, but as a space inspired by the community’s energy and evolving tastes.
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