Sama Dog would be even better
VERY sad to hear about Plaza Deli. I was born here in 1973 and it's been a staple and reliable spot.
The not-so-subtle prod to vigilantism is irresponsible and frightening.
I mean, they have dim sama in Los Alamos, so why not Sama Lama?!
I think they’re missing a golden opportunity to name this place Sama Lama. We already have Topa Topa - Sama Sama in Ojai (a winning combo if you haven’t made the trip). I’m sure this will be even better. #samasamalamalama
indeed .. inquiring minds want to know
lol i agree everything is looking the same in shops.. home decor..real estate staged homes . is this the bland and boring 21rst century? what’s happened to peoples imaginations ? it is calming .. but yawning ..
is restoration hardware considered a big box store? asking for a friend….
Who are said people with a history of doing interesting things?
Please don’t tell us “people with a history of doing interesting things” means the same folks painting everything white and black and selling only the blandest of home decor in off white and greige. I will die of boredom.
La Arcada Plaza
Pretty sure farming within the Los Padres is illegal, the only permitted use is Christmas trees - but if it makes you look trendy, why not?
Lol. The description of that restaurant reads like every high end farm to table place opened in the last 20 years. Good luck!
I’ve been surfing out in front for the coral casino lately and from the water you get a better view of the current construction situation. Sadly, I’d be surprised if it reopens this year
Oh no! Restoration Hardware invading our upper village is a violation to this community.
Viva Wendy ?
I can't say I have ever agreed with Wendy McCaw on anything ever. And I don't agree with her hysteria and contempt in this case. However, downtown does need to be sorted out around parklets and promenade traffic and making sure the retailers and restauranteurs have a good infrastructure, guidelines, and planning. I grew up here and I remember going to other beach towns and marveling that Santa Barbara had a remarkably upscale downtown compared to many beach towns (in my youth that vibe stopped at "lower State.") So it does seem like there's a pull towards becoming more like a standard beach town--it's an easy norm to slip into and not recover from. I think if State Street continues to be left just to find its own way without planning or standards, our unique vibe will be lost. If the retail and restaurant community is supported with clarity and the shared street space is planned, then downtown will thrive. Rather than freaking out about the downsides, it's better to figure out how to support the many many people who are bringing so much creativity to our downtown. We must also support the relatively few people who need better alternatives for housing and health care. But scapegoating them and catastrophizing downtown doesn't fix anything. I think it's better to find positive collaboration and leadership to turn the creativity of Covid response into the next chapter of downtown. I've watched Santa Barbara reinvent--and mostly triumph--many times for 60 years. I also know how much work it has taken for our once-tiny town to meet challenges and pressures and still keep our spirit. I have never seen complaining or bad-mouthing lead to anything good. But I have seen local individuals, politicians, citizens, artists, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, musicians, engineers, educators, farmers, journalists, etc. step up with great ingenuity. Thanks Siteline for your reporting on the downtown conundrum and please keep it up.
Main-Begg has regularly scheduled tours that are FREE. It’s the complete opposite of the elitist land grab of Bellosguardo.
Those are private lots. If RH wanted to do a restaurant in the Old Firehouse, it would have to come to an agreement with the owners of those lots.
There's tons of parking. 2 massive lots, and 1 smaller lot surrounding it. you just may have to walk more than 50 feet.
A chain store in the upper village feels not great — even if it is an expensive studio format, like RH does nowadays to cater to the neighborhood. What's next? Erewhon in the Montecito Grocery space... Mr. Chow in the Pane E Vino space... and a Soho House in the Presbyterian Church space? Okay... sorry... I might be over-reacting but a Resto in the Upper Village is kooky to my brain.
I'm thrilled to hear this as I was saddened by the idea that they were leaving the area as so many major stores have. Now all we need is a Crate & Barrel and/or a West Elm to move into the old Macy's on State Street. And if only we could woo Nordstrom's back.
Not likely if only because there's so little parking.
That’s significant. I wonder if it will include a restaurant.
I don't know the particulars, but my guess is that the landlord hasn't decided whether to renew and is letting the restaurant stay till it does.
