August 18, 2025
Odds & Ends
The Biltmore’s Reopening Has Been Pushed Back Again
Plus: Dylan Star will morph into an online-only business; Leone Salon has moved to the Funk Zone; Coast Village parklet for lease; "In the Mood for Love" on the big screen; more programming at the Music Academy of the West; checking out the model homes at the Santa Barbara Polo Residences. 10
August 10, 2025
New Boutiques in the Funk Zone and on Coast Village Road
Plus: Carpinteria cannabis plant seeks approval to operate 24-7; Planned Parenthood's annual book sale; documentary in the works about the MV Conception fire; update on the San Ysidro Ranch‘s botanical garden; should police departments be identifying suspects? 1
August 5, 2025
An Outpost of Iris Galerie Is Opening Downtown
Plus: Jerry Seinfeld to perform here; a new book honoring artist Dennis Spangler; windows of vacant storefronts to be decorated with art; city proposing to buy an Alta Mesa house; Ritz-Carlton Bacara extended its spa deal for locals; two exhibits of note at Sullivan Goss. 4
July 29, 2025
Another Departure on Coast Village Road
Plus: The rumored tenant of a prime space on Los Patos Way; the Montecito Club would like to demolish at least part of the 1918 house next door; outdoor furniture for the Central Library plaza; Ghirardelli is proposing giant sundae mosaics visible on State Street; the Ritz-Carlton Bacara ended (and restarted) its spa deal for locals; return of the Cat Video Fest. 11
July 22, 2025
Another Huge Price Cut for the “Floating Home” in the Harbor
Plus: Update on the upper San Ysidro trail and Romero Jeepway; the Riviera "rain totems" have been moved; construction at the former Klaus Automotive building; answers to two questions about debris basins; Steve Martin riffing locally; exploring the Ventura River Parkway Trail to Ojai. 8
July 14, 2025
The Upper Village Is Getting Another Bank Branch
Plus: Swimwear chain confirmed for Coast Village Road; Loveworn has opened a Carpinteria shop; the Santa Barbara County Civil Grand Jury weighs in; fence proposed around the landmark Moreton Bay fig tree; electronic duo to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; Melissa Chandon paintings at Caldwell Snyder. 11
July 6, 2025
Inside the Huge New Vintage Store on State Street
Plus: More vintage and minimalist leather in the Funk Zone; estate sale pop-ups; Goodwill's donation center on Milpas has closed; real estate agent promoting negotiable fees; Fred Armisen to play the Lobero; new art gallery downtown; more sloppy road signage. 16
June 30, 2025
A Music Festival Is Coming to the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club
Plus: Two new boutiques selling women's apparel; Mācher‘s Linden Square shop opens this week; another development site in the Haley Street Corridor?; the state of the Tesla chargers at the Miramar resort; new local streaming radio station; awkward typography on the San Ysidro Road off-ramp sign; ZZ Top to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; pronouncing "jacaranda." 16
June 24, 2025
Two More Rite Aid Stores Are Closing
Plus: Inside the new 30-room vacation-rental hotel downtown; adjacent Highway 101 on-ramps to be closed for nine months; Queens of the Stone Age concert; Heidi Merrick sample sale; the July 4 celebration at the waterfront; John Waters's Halloween show; the answer to last weekend's "Where in Santa Barbara...?" 5
June 15, 2025
New Tenant for RH’s Former Store on State Street
Plus: Children's club opening in Summerland; Linden Square yoga and Pilates studio debuts next week; Santa Barbara Nissan is no longer; Pete Yorn in concert; another Santa Barbara Bowl show announced; big few weeks for Highway 101 construction; a second Ikat and Pearls shop in Ventura. 7
















Recent Comments
Agree 100%. Attractive in itself but not plonked down on CVR. Does not fit in at all with the local-and-cozy-but-sophisticated look of the other retail… — Dana
Where's the "it's not in Montecito" comments? For looks really good in these photos! — Don
Loving this for Montecito! Net Zero and LEED Gold (plus-plus) aside, the design is striking, well-thought-out, and a nice departure from the same-same outdated architecture… — Vince
I've provided input to the CV Road for nearly 50 years working with developers as a Designer/Broker. We do have an assortment of styles and… — Maryanne Brillhart
I am appalled to see this abomination land in our sweet little Spanish style town. Can anyone point me in the direction on how to… — Barrie Glabman
Personally I wish he would have used that money to pay the 425 workers he stiffed. I don't think he deserves to have his name… — Tracy M
Agreed - I miss the margaritas and the great chips and salsa at cava! — chelsea
Love the look. As Erik pointed out, there is a range of design along CVR so this won't "stick out" but rather add another interesting… — Curtis
In a strange way, the new building echos the old Bottle Shop configuration. I really like the solar parking - very good use of space.… — Chris
South facing with all that glass? Also, the scale is way off. Also, not a fit on CVR at all. I agree with another commenter—choose… — Anne