Sunspel Has Opened at the Montecito Country Mart

••• British sportswear brand Sunspel has opened in James Perse’s former space at the Montecito Country Mart. It carries apparel for men and women.

••• Dormant since 2019, the Homespun makers’ market is back in a big way this Saturday, December 7, at the Community Arts Workshop (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Founder Beth Kuttner has organized an impressive lineup of more than 50 vendors.

••• The Louise Lowry Davis Center (De La Vina/Victoria) officially reopens this Thursday following renovations. In late 2021, I wrote that it was supposed to be closed for four months in early 2022—did I get that wrong, or did it really nearly take three years? Anyway, “The Louise Lowry Davis Center was built in 1923 as part of Santa Barbara’s first public high school and has served as a community recreation center since 1933. The renovation included reconfiguring a more open and flexible floor plan, installing new doors, double-pane windows, and heating and air conditioning systems, enhancing the enclosed courtyard, and accessibility improvements. With the renovation complete, the Parks and Recreation Department aims to have the facility serve as a destination for senior programming and services in Santa Barbara. […] When not in use for community programming and services, the facility can be reserved for public or private events of up to 114 people.”

••• I was sorry to learn from P. that Venture Apparel Co. has closed after eight months. It was a bright spot on a block of State Street (Gutierrez/Haley) dominated by nightlife and Dollar Tree. The company’s Tahoe store is still open.

••• Candle Bar 111—”an upscale candle-pouring bar and shop”—opens December 7 inside Golden Arrow Goods (111 Santa Barbara Street) in the Funk Zone.

••• There’s a new guidebook in town: handsome Jaunt Journals, created by photographer Rachel McCarthy, whose photos are accompanied by illustrations by Pedro De La Cruz and recommendations from a variety of notable locals, such as Monica Epstein of Ysidro, Tara Penke of Gala, and Meredith Markworth-Pollack of Palma. While the books are obviously most useful for people new to the area or visiting, even those of us who keep pretty close tabs on the city will learn something. (In my case, for instance, there was Nap Club, recommended by artist/surfer Demi Boelsterli.) The book is available at shops all over—the full list is on the website—and the Santa Barbara edition will be followed by ones on the Santa Ynez Valley and Ojai.

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