••• There’s a lot of action on Chapala Street these days…. First, Radius Commercial Real Estate announced that someone had leased 1128 Chapala (Figueroa/Anapamu), former home of Don Q Family Billiard Center. So I asked the firm whether the new tenant might share his/her plans….
The Rack is a new, family-style pool hall taking over the old Don Qs space, which has been a pool hall for decades. We are 75% women-owned (married couple Jon Bruenning and Evan Henderson own 50%, and business partner Meagan Soloff owns the other 50%). All three of us are members of a thriving local pool community, and our ultimate goal is to build a lasting community space for anyone and everyone that wants to play billiards in our community. Our motto is “A Pool Hall for All.” We are pushing for a soft opening by the September 24 or 25, and a grand opening on Halloween.
••• Second, construction is finally happening on the Electrify America charging station for electric vehicles at the corner of Chapala and Carrillo.
••• Third, Gracie Barra —”offering Brazilian jiu-jitsu and self-defense classes for kids and adults”—has opened at 716 Chapala (Ortega/De La Guerra).
••• Fourth, Radius also said that 918 Chapala (most recently Dopamine Fx) has been leased, too, but no word yet by whom.
••• Work is underway at the former Union Bank branch next to Pavilions at the Montecito Country Mart. Has anyone heard what the plan might be for that space? My gut says restaurant, but the parking lot can’t handle it. Meanwhile, something called I ♥ Montecito is coming to the small space between Rori’s and Alma. Could it be a shop? A gallery? A real estate office?
••• Another Highway 101 closure: the southbound off-ramp at Olive Mill Road will close tomorrow, reopening sometime in the spring.
••• Anna Janelle Jewelry, which had been in Paseo Nuevo, opens at 1103A State Street (Figueroa/Anapamu) on September 20.
••• Paul McCartney plays the Santa Barbara Bowl on September 26. Unfortunately, the window to register for the ticket lottery was only 38 hours long.
••• Columbia Banking System has evidently purchased Pacific Premier Bank. The temporary sign at the branch at State and Figueroa sure inspires confidence.
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You may want to check the spelling in the bit about the charging stations… which reads “…at the corner of Chalapa and Carrillo”. Is Chalapa near Chalupa?
I would think the old Union Bank building would be a good extension for Pavilions? Enlarge the wine section. Maybe even the bakery and floral departments? Add the pharmacy?? That little shopping center does not need any more restaurants.
I was told that there will be three distinct tenants in the old bank space one which will be a yoga studio.
I also inquired as to the status of the proposed parking structure behind Pavilions and was told that it wasn’t looking good since Charlie Munger’s passing. I didn’t know there was any sort of connection —was he an investor or partner of some sort?
With a little luck…the husband will somehow find some tickets to see McCartney… 🙏
Isn’t it the eastbound 101 Olive Mill exit? 101 runs east/west at that location.
Hi Erik, The I ♥ Montecito space at the Country Mart will be a short term petite exhibit — a love letter to Montecito and the Santa Barbara region that created and sustains it: on the walls we will be featuring local stories, collective memories, and hometown heroes via historic photos and artifacts. The exhibit will be free & open to the public. My creative agency has been responsible for the design, research & curation of the exhibit in concert with the Montecito Country Mart team. More details coming soon… I’d love to walk you through it when it opens! My best, Olivia
918 Chapala – Motion Collective SB
https://www.instagram.com/motioncollectivesb