Since You Asked: Supervisor's father doesn't own run-down restaurant

What is the status of the abandoned and dilapidated B&M restaurant at 970 North Beale Road in Linda? If it's not condemned, it should be. I heard that it's owned by the father of Yuba County Supervisor Mary Jane Griego.

"That's the second time I've heard that. It's never been owned by us," Griego said last week.

Griego's dad, Duke Griego, owned another restaurant, Duke's Hickory Tree, about six blocks away at 1526 N. Beale Road. After that business suffered losses in the 1986 flood, the Griegos accepted an offer on the property and used the money to double the size of Duke's Diner in Olivehurst and remodel it, she said.

The B&M was named for its owners, Betty and Marvin, now deceased, and has been vacant for a decade or so, Griego said.

According to Yuba County Assessor's Office records, the property at 970 North Beale is now owned by Pete DiGiordano, owner of D&D Cabinets on Sky Harbor Drive in Olivehurst.

DiGiordano, 63, said he bought the property about three years ago with a strip mall in mind — before the economy went south.

Now, DiGiordano said, he's willing to tear the restaurant down and build something new as long as Yuba County lets him keep sewer and water permits for the property. Buying new permits would cost $40,000 or more, he said.

DiGiordano said he's willing to "build to suit" a business owner and possibly keep part of the property as a showroom for his cabinet business. In the meantime, he's waiting for better economic times to return.

DiGiordano and Supervisor Andy Vasquez, who represents the area, said the county has not taken any action against the dilapidated building.

"It's one of those things on the list you get to when you can," Vasquez said. "Something should be done. We're trying to make Linda a better place."

Vasquez said he'd like to contact DiGiordano and "start a dialogue."

DiGiordano said he visits the property about once a year. The old restaurant is being used by homeless people, he said.

Send questions to reporter Rob Young at the Appeal-Democrat, P.O. Box 431, Marysville CA 95901, e-mail him at ryoung@appealdemocrat.com or call 749-4710.