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.
Thanks for the update on Derf’s. I’m a huge fan. From your prior article, I thought it was the Landlord that might not renew Derf’s lease, but now it sounds like it’s a matter of whether Derf’s can afford to stay? Did you get clarification? Shall we start a Save Derf’s campaign?!
I was fondly remembering Arts + Letters, too. I loved the interior courtyard for lunch and enjoyed "opera under the stars" at night.
Well, it's a bit tricky because I really, really loved the bluff walk in the Algarve, and the Farmhouse of the Palms is an exceedingly well-run inn, but the rest of the Algarve trends touristy. I'm more drawn to rural areas like the Alentejo, if you can find somewhere to stay—I still kick myself for missing that wine bunker. I'd definitely return to the Douro, and in particular that hotel, but I think I'd use it as a chance to loll; I'm not really into wine/port tasting (more of a drink-with-dinner guy) and I would've welcomed a break from the driving and exploring. And I can't recommend Monsanto enough, if you're willing to do a lot of walking uphill, but you wouldn't want to spend more than a few hours there. And I thought Porto was prettier than Lisbon, but we probably spent one day too many there. I'm not sure I'm answering your question. I do recall that, afterward, we felt like the rhythm was wrong: we were either driving between destinations or driving in an area to explore it, and that grew tiresome. So maybe plan on a day here and there where you don't feel pressure to do anything.
We will be in Portugal starting in Madera then Lisbon and don’t have any destinations in Portugal after that so your article is perfect. I’m thinking about following your footsteps, so I’m wondering what you would leave off next time and where you would add on extra time we have 2 1/2 weeks to spend in Portugal. We will start at the end of April through the middle of May 2023.
Happy New Year! Love Oat Bakery's Picasso-eque bread faces - too pretty to eat? Thanks for those Erik; new Mexican restaurant AZUL on Anapamu...some of us old-timers fondly remember it as the original Arts + Letters Cafe and first Sullivan Goss Gallery birthed by Frank Goss and his wife Trisha before the new space was built and sold.
Ooh, your idea is fun, too!
Official reply is that the 2 families that started God’s Provisions - then one family left, so name change. I still wonder why the refuse to say Buellton- they prefer Santa Ynez. Owner is a blogger/online media “person”
Why the name change from God's Country Provisions to Drovers?
Do you know when Azul will open ? Thanks
Thanks Bill! Would love to know more about these structures. I don't believe I read about them in your book.
I can't remember how I came across your site, but it's now my favorite local read - fresh, crisp and connected! Keep up the great work.
I was thinking a seance however I like your take way better!
I look forward to reading each Siteline newsletter. It’s a perfect balance of what’s happening around SB and much more informative than any other local media source. I appreciate all the time and research you put into it. Thank you!
“ 1915 Garden Street ($3.199 million), between Mission and Pedregosa”
I’m sorry… a 1960’s 1600 sq ft generic tract house is going for $3.2mil and they can’t even move all their junk out or remove the used carpeting??? ?
Congratulations on your well deserved growth and Happy New Year! Siteline SB is ALWAYS a delicious, fun, witty and informative read. Leslie
Housing is greatly needed but it is somewhat of a disappointment to lose the one department store still operating in Santa Barbara.
I hope they are still in the planning stages of the buildings. They need to incorporate more setbacks in the buildings lining the public thoroughfares if they want to encourage people to use them. Otherwise they will be drowned in shadow for a good portion of the day which isn't inviting. The retail won't survive if they can't get reliable foot traffic. Similar problem at public market.
Other than that it's a good idea. A modern version of a mall which incorporates badly needed housing!
Your newsletters are a consistent in my day and I appreciate your interesting and informative content. Best wishes in 2023!
Erik: Thank you for your well-placed efforts. Siteline is an asset to our community. KGS
