Newsletter: January 16

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Frequency Wine Company Has Upgraded to a Great New Space

More food news: Has Embermill closed?; Lilac Patisserie is expanding in a big way; soul food is coming to Lower State; Your Choice's off-menu pop-up is today; Costa Kitchen & Bar has closed for a month; the city is making two dozen State Street restaurants shrink their parklets to allow emergency vehicles to pass; the rebranded Jimboz Lounge reopened; Taqueria Santa Barbara is now serving breakfast. 3

Where in Santa Barbara…?

Know where this was shot? Prove it in the comments. 4

The Cool Midcentury-Style House Overlooking Hendry’s Beach

Noteworthy new listings also include the childhood home of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid; a Campanil "diamond in the rough"; a Hidden Valley Lane compound; a Hedgerow house for someone who can hold it; 1970s insouciance in Alta Mesa; an 1887 Upper East house in need of everything; the last vacant lot in Birnam Wood; and more.

Should This Block of State Street Be Closed to Cars?

Other recent news: Carpinterians will get to vote about the proposed Surfliner Inn; new candidates for the state assembly; UCSB will let professors decide whether to teach in person, while SBCC is going remote; vigilante trail closure; trapeze school likely to remain in Vera Cruz Park; Santa Barbara County moves forward on buying a Goleta motel for the homeless; UFOs appear to be drawn to the Channel Islands.

A New Tenant for the Sears Building at La Cumbre Plaza

Plus: A peek inside the roller rink opening on State Street; the Magic Castle Cabaret space is said to be getting a new chapter; Hueneme Supply Co. is moving into the old Tent Merchant compound; updates on Highway 101's Sheffield ramps; recycling centers have reopened; major price cut on Ortega Ridge; good housepeeking at a historic $95,000-per-month rental. 1

A “Retro-Swanky” Steakhouse Is Opening in the Funk Zone

Inspired by Vegas steakhouses of yore, the San Diego–based Rare Society restaurants feature tufted-leather booths, seafood towers, and steaks grilled over an open flame.

Newsletter: January 12

The Siteline newsletter is the best way to follow the website. To subscribe, click the link at the bottom of this post. And you can unsubscribe at any time.

Montecito’s 1918 Hacienda de Piedras Sells for $17.5 Million

Last week's sales also include a Toro Canyon aerie offloaded by a former Disney executive; 1935 Monterey Colonial; French-country three-bedroom in Birnam Wood; 1970s Hope Ranch; 39-acre farm near Glen Annie Golf Club; sweet-as-pie Hedgerow house; Harbor Hills two-bedroom for well over ask; Brinkerhoff Avenue house from 1885; and more.

Local Developers Aim High at La Cumbre Plaza

The father-and-son team of Jim and Matt Taylor is leading the charge to rethink La Cumbre Plaza: their goal is a major city-center-style complex, possibly with a park and even a pedestrian bridge. 12