June 30, 2026
Tag: Montecito Country Mart
104 Units of Affordable Senior Housing Proposed Near the Presidio Neighborhood
Plus: More thoughts on the Padaro Lane railroad expansion; the Montecito Community Mart’s lemonade stand; Old Town Goleta golf simulator; explaining the levels on those "fire danger" signs; interested in the gift-basket business? 4
April 26, 2026
Katy Perry’s Foundation Wants to Build a Summer Camp in Goleta
Plus: What's next for the former bank building at the Montecito Country Mart; the Uptown Artists Open Studio Tour is coming up; new subdivision proposed for Los Alamos; Cowboy Junkies return to the Lobero Theatre; update on SBPD's current headquarters; easy fix for a parking lot popular on farmers' market days. 4
April 7, 2026
The Montecito Country Mart’s Post Office Has Been Spared
Plus: Funk Zone boutique said to be closing; new women's apparel shop on Coast Village Road; a Santa Barbara Bowl show worth noting; martial arts studio coming to Santa Claus Lane; volunteers sought for Parma Park trail work; Highway 101 ramp closures; "Where in Santa Barbara...?" answer. 6
March 23, 2026
Opening Date for the Bar/Shop Called Beau
More food news: In-N-Out is trying again in the Santa Ynez Valley; Bistro Amasa brunch; produce stand closed; Carpinteria chocolate shop under new ownership; fast-casual chain coming to Hollister Avenue; El Paseo tasting room closed; Good Samaritan sandwich truck; South Coast Deli confirmed for the Funk Zone; big L.A. chef opening a restaurant in San Luis Obispo. 5
March 19, 2026
March 10, 2026
The U.S. Postal Service Wants to Leave the Montecito Country Mart
Plus: Malia Mills has moved to The Post; 24-hour veterinary office is closing; two more Santa Barbara Bowl shows; the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show is coming up; more on the forthcoming Union Pacific railroad bridge; exhibit of photos taken with a pinhole camera. 3
February 25, 2026
La Ligne Is Opening at the Montecito Country Mart
Plus: The return of Habitat for Humanity's ReStore; four more Santa Barbara Bowl shows; Best Western Plus Pepper Tree Inn appears to be getting reflagged; answers to the "Where in Santa Barbara…?" roundup of restaurant restrooms; two new exhibits at Sullivan Goss; opening date for Highway 217/Hollister Avenue roundabouts. 4
September 23, 2025
September 17, 2025
A New Family-Friendly Pool Hall Is Opening Downtown
Plus: Changes at the Montecito Country Mart; another long Highway 101 off-ramp closure; Anna Janelle Jewelry is moving to State Street; Pacific Premier Bank got bought; work is underway on the downtown charging station; new jiu-jitsu and self-defense studio; Paul McCartney to play the Santa Barbara Bowl. 7
April 7, 2025
The Former Nordstrom Building Will Be Partially Converted to Residential
Plus: More turnover on Coast Village Road; four new pickleball courts in Montecito; local production of "Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812"; jewelry store coming to the Montecito Country Mart; Gogol Bordello to play the Arlington Theatre; Arrediamo Home Decor is opening on State Street; an evening with Albert Brooks. 14
Burning Questions
- How Come the Gaviota Rest Areas Are Closed So Often?
- Why Is the Cliff Drive Overlook Closed?
- Who Installed This Security Camera in Montecito?
- Why Are the Railroad Tracks Being Expanded Along Padaro Lane?
- Will You Explain the Plan to Adapt the Waterfront for Climate Change?
- Why Did the Rosewood Miramar Beach Install Gates?
- How Long Will This Big Pipe Be at East Beach?
Recent Comments
Thank goodness its not here, Ricks taking the hideous architecture on tour, it should fit in nicely in TO, they'll just have to paint it… — Alan
I’ve long thought the golf course is ripe for redevelopment. Though I do agree with the slippery slope concerns. That said, I am shocked to… — BW
Thanks for digging in. Seems the issues are all water related. I’m wondering if a preferred design context given the obvious constraints would be composting… — Daniel Meisel
True. But remote, if you want to be in a more urban part of SF. Remind me to tell you about the Kabuki in Japantown,… — Thomas Reynolds
I see you've been slumming it in our old town. The Huntington must have created more rooms; previously it was mostly suites, having formerly been… — Thomas Reynolds
The Presidio hotels in the Presidio are hands down my favs Erik! Big rooms (former army barracks), quiet - fantastic art installations in the hiking… — Leslie Westbrook
Who designed the rediculous improved street/parking configuration on Santa claus lane...there isn't enough room in the north bound lane to drive a car through...parked cars… — BeckyGallup
Their needs to be a better answer then just closing the rest stop. I do the drive almost daily and the amount of people I… — Derek
If you're asking about the Huntington Hotel, the Big Four is indeed the only restaurant and it looked the same to me (but has probably… — Erik Torkells
It's next on the list. — Erik Torkells