••• A stop-work order has been posted at the Four Seasons Biltmore: “Building permits have been issued for the Bella Vista restaurant and the Central Plant re-roof,” it says. “Construction work is authorized in these areas only. All other construction and grading shall stop immediately.” That would seem to mean everything happening in the front yard, plus who knows what else…. The Biltmore is just the latest Ty Warner property to flout county rules; the Montecito Club and San Ysidro Ranch both did it in 2021.
••• Town & Country Event Rentals has opened a showroom in the former Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf space at State Street and S. La Cumbre Road. [UPDATE 12/14: Apparently I misremembered that.]
••• Two more Santa Barbara Bowl shows were announced: Social Distortion and Bad Religion (April 10) and Indigo Girls with Amos Lee (September 21).
••• A few items regarding the Montecito Country Mart: 1) C. heard that James Perse is staying put at the Country Mart and that Angel’s former location on Coast Village Road will be dedicated to Perse’s Yosemite line. I wasn’t able to confirm it; the company did not respond to an email. 2) The Montecito Cleaners side door between Alma Fonda Fina and Rori’s Creamery is papered over. I assumed that the Country Mart is turning it into another mini storefront, but a rep made it sound like the space is being allotted to adjacent businesses. 3) Mate Gallery‘s forthcoming shop next to Panino has a cute peephole cut into the paper in the windows. So I went for it. Looks nice! They’re waiting on approvals from the city.
••• T. asked whether the colored lights on the facade of the Hilton Santa Barbara‘s rotunda are permanent, and whether the colors have a meaning. They’re not permanent, said a rep: “The Plaza is a popular location for events and occasionally lights are added to enhance the event experience for special occasions, such as weddings. We have also occasionally put lights outside to commemorate special events or causes. The blue lights that are up at the moment are celebrating that, for the first time ever, Hilton has been named the No.1 World’s Best Workplace by Fortune magazine and Great Places to Work.”
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Always nice to see the rules apply to billionaires on occasion…
When was the space at State Street and N. La Cumbre Road a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf?
Apparently I misremembered that….
For years it was on the corner and then moved about 10 years ago.
It’s very unfortunate that the city makes it so difficult for local business to open.
They are their own worst enemy. “We are business friendly” – proceed to increase regulations on local business and require permits/approvals for everything. “We need to bring down the cost of housing” – proceeds to enact ordinances that make the cost of construction increase.
Yep, you hit the nail on the head
Permit and fee cost out of control