ROSEVILLE-

Rocker Sammy Hagar is returning to Roseville this Saturday to play a concert in the downtown square, and it is no coincidence that Sammy’s Island Bar & Grill will also reopen this weekend.

Downtown Roseville is in the middle of its revitalization project. Two years ago, Roseville’s Community Development Corporation put up more than $1 million dollars to make Sammy’s a success.

This time around, there is no money being handed out, just rewriting the entire program from the ground up.

“New management team, obviously new ownership as well..and you know, at the end of the day this is a fun place,” restaurant Manager Pete Colman said.

Not so fun though was the ordeal the restaurant went through last year when Sammy’s ran into apparent financial issues, and co-owner Steve Pease disappeared and was later found dead.

What happened last time was kind of a unique and strange circumstance,” City of Roseville spokesperson Brian Jacobson said.

Now Sammy is back. Leasing the same building, along with his two sons, from the same Community Development Corportation that sank a million-plus into the concept the first time.

“I think it speaks volumes that they came back,” noted Jacboson. “They could have just left and gone and said this was a failed experiment. But they didn’t. They saw the potential in downtown Roseville and wanted to be back.

“Sammy’s got a very large fan base,” said Colman. “All ages varying and the area itself is building up to be a great pull.”

But can Sammy’s be the anchor tenant of downtown Roseville?

Already, right next door, is The Monk’s Cellar, a public brewery house that will give Vernon Street a variety not seen here before.

“I think just the synergy..the draw..that both of us are opening up within a week or two of each other..that, in itself, is a great draw to bring people down here,” said Monk’s owner Andy Klein.

As for the Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar will be in town to oversee the festivities that begin with his sold out concert beginning Saturday at 7pm.