Local Heroes reopens, to host community fundraiser

A Downtown Auburn eatery is getting a new start and a new menu, thanks to a local entrepreneur.Lisa Swisley, owner of Tango frozen yogurt in Central Square, has reopened Local Heroes.Swisley, who opened Tango about a year and a half ago, is looking forward to the challenge of running a second business."My daughter worked there the whole year they were open," she said about Local Heroes. "They decided to close and it was an opportunity to provide a great burger joint for Auburn, employ people and participate in the community more."Swisley doesn't plan to change the name or the décor."It's the same concept," she said. "We've changed the food a bit and brought prices down. I've changed the burger and how we put it together. We spent quite a bit of time choosing our menu and our food."The focus remains on burgers."We have a single burger called the Hero," Swisley said. "The double burger is a Super Hero and our triple burger is called a Villain."There are also turkey burgers, garden burgers, BLTs and grilled cheese sandwiches.Two employees have stayed on and Swisley hired additional staff."I have a great staff that I'm really proud of and excited to have," she said.Swisley is planning a three-day grand opening for the weekend of April 8, 9 and 10. There will be a surprise event in Central Square at approximately 5:30 p.m. Friday. It is being put on by Placer High student Brendan Chang for his senior project, Swisley said. Sunday, April 10, will feature a Band-Aid Benefit at 2 p.m. for St. Jude Children's Hospital.The concert, featuring four local youth bands, is being coordinated by Placer High student Lorna Nelson for her senior project."They'll perform in the parking lot behind Local Heroes," Swisley said. The concert has personal significance for Nelson."(I chose St. Jude's) because a couple of years ago my little cousin was diagnosed with leukemia and St. Jude's really helped him out," she said. "So I wanted to do this as a thank-you to the hospital." Nelson's benefit will include face painting, raffles, henna tattoos and a bake sale. She's working with local businesses to assemble raffle prizes."The businesses I've contacted have been really helpful in donating," she said.Saturday's special event is still in the planning stage.In opening the new business, Swisley said she's received a lot of support from her family. Her son, Nathan Swisley, is a sophomore at Placer High. Daughter Brooke Swisley divides her time between her job at Local Heroes and attending Sierra College. Swisley's husband, Bob, has taken on the maintenance tasks."My husband has been invaluable in helping me get the business open," she said. Swisley wants to expand on the restaurant's lunchtime popularity. "I'm really working hard to have a dinner crowd and I'm working to get a beer and wine license," she said.One of her additions is a new TV for sporting events.She's also building on what she's experienced in her approximately 18 months at Tango. "I have learned a lot," she said. "I think being involved in the community is something I really like to do and it does help business."Reach Gloria Young at gloriay@goldcountrymedia.com.------------Local HeroesWhere: 1120 High St., Downtown AuburnHours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. SundaysPhone: (530) 820-3030 for takeout service and call-ahead orderingGrand opening: 5:30 p.m. Friday, April, 8 – surprise event in Central SquareSaturday, April 9 – to be announcedSunday, April 10, 2 to 5 p.m. – Band-Aid fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Hospital