BURNING QUESTION: WHY IS FRANCESCHI HOUSE IN A HOLDING PATTERN?
“My fiancée and I think that it would be wonderful to see Franceschi House restored,” emailed N., “but it seems that efforts over the last 20 years have been unsuccessful. We’d love to understand in more detail what has caused the house to get stuck.” Here’s where the project stands now.
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FOOD STUFF
••• Innovative food concept to open on State Street (above).
••• Jeanine’s outpost in La Arcada has closed.
••• La Paloma is now serving lunch.
••• Chicken-wing chain opening at La Cumbre.
••• Panera Bread closed.
••• Bell’s confirmed its expansion into the vacant lot next door.
••• Mosby Vineyard and Winery is for sale.
→ Read the post.
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ODDS & ENDS
••• Changes coming to the area around Stearns Wharf.
••• Abercrombie & Fitch on State Street is closing, to be replaced by Hollister.
••• Aquarium shop opening in Montecito.
••• One of Santa Barbara’s two Game Stop stores is closing.
••• New Montecito bridge almost completed.
→ Read the post.
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HOT PROPERTY
The residential market remains on fire, with another $75 million in real estate changing hands last week (and that’s just the properties over $2 million). Notable sales included Hope Ranch oceanfront for $25 million, a midcentury fixer that sold for $1 million over the listing price, a Birnam Wood chateau, the Park Lane conundrum, and many more. See what sold and for how much.
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NEWS ROUNDUP
••• Santa Barbara’s electric bikes should be rentable within weeks.
••• Who’ll get vaccinated after healthcare workers.
••• The buyer of Ellen DeGeneres’s East Valley Road house.
••• A new group hopes to revitalize downtown.
••• The Pea Soup Andersen’s building in Buellton is for sale.
••• Democratic Party of Santa Barbara County chair will step down.
••• School district votes to pause failing grades.
••• The tree of the month.
→ Read the post.
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Recent Comments
True. But remote, if you want to be in a more urban part of SF. Remind me to tell you about the Kabuki in Japantown,… — Thomas Reynolds
I see you've been slumming it in our old town. The Huntington must have created more rooms; previously it was mostly suites, having formerly been… — Thomas Reynolds
The Presidio hotels in the Presidio are hands down my favs Erik! Big rooms (former army barracks), quiet - fantastic art installations in the hiking… — Leslie Westbrook
Who designed the rediculous improved street/parking configuration on Santa claus lane...there isn't enough room in the north bound lane to drive a car through...parked cars… — BeckyGallup
Their needs to be a better answer then just closing the rest stop. I do the drive almost daily and the amount of people I… — Derek
If you're asking about the Huntington Hotel, the Big Four is indeed the only restaurant and it looked the same to me (but has probably… — Erik Torkells
It's next on the list. — Erik Torkells
I feel compelled to mention that the property owners here all say their gardners can do better with a broom- why AREN'T THEY OUT THERE… — Christine!
V e r y interesting- thanks. Is there more than one dining room? Is the iconic restaurant decor as before? — Greg
Have you tried Hotel Drisco in Pacific Heights? We love it! — Ann Capogrosso