••• “I think the only neon sign on State Street is the Sportsman one that reads, ‘Cocktails,” emailed S. “It looks cheesy and I thought there was an ordinance against it. You may recall when Institution Ale fought to keep its neon lights (which were inside the bar). It appears the Sportsman is not under the same scrutiny.” I wondered whether parklets might be exempt, but the city’s Planning and Zoning Department said that the sign would indeed need to be approved by the city’s Sign Committee; moreover, the sign ordinance also prohibits the use of neon signs in the El Pueblo Viejo Landmark District. I’m not sure my email inquiring about the sign will be registered as a citizen complaint—and to be honest, I don’t mind the sign—so if you feel strongly about it, you should contact the department yourself at [email protected]. P.S. I’ve noticed that other parklets on State have added TVs. I’d be curious to know what the difference is between an illuminated sign and a TV.
••• On the evening of February 12, Alessia Patisserie & Cafe will host a “four-course dessert adventure paired with Champagne and wine.” It’s $90 (or $125 with wine) and there are only 16 seats. Pictured: an exotic fruit cake.
••• L. commented that the restaurant coming to the Mackenzie Market space in San Roque will be called either Uptown Teddy’s or Teddy’s Uptown—which certainly leads one to believe it’ll be akin to Teddy’s by the Sea in Carpinteria (which has the same owner).
••• Juice N Things, at the corner of Linden Avenue and Carpinteria Avenue, appears poised to close. —Restaurant Guy
••• There’s activity “at the empty space at 505 State Street, the former home of Crazy Jim’s Tacos y Mas.” —Restaurant Guy
••• Ray’s Liquor on the Westside has closed after 34 years. —John Palminteri. UPDATE: “Ray’s is still open, I believe,” LMG pointed out in the comments. “News said closing date of February 15th. Also, everything left in the store is 50% off now.” And that’s why I shouldn’t blog before coffee.
••• According to an Edhat commenter, the 7-Eleven on Milpas has been closed for a while because “the franchisee/operator abandoned the business and walked away. A family member of mine works at the corporate level and gave me the scoop.”
••• Restaurant Guy noticed that the liquor licenses for the Harbor Restaurant and Longboard’s Grill on Stearns Wharf—which were for sale—have been “transferred to a new owner, Eugenio Hernan Sanchez.” Because the business name is listed as Santa Barbara Harbor Restaurant, RG deduces that the restaurants will remain the same.
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Ray’s is still open, I believe. News said closing date of February 15th. Also, everything left in the store is 50% off now.
I agree that the TVs on State are a worrisome trend. Much worse in my opinion than neon signs.
I live on Calle Rosales behind the Mackenzie Market and this place has been such an eye sore. I have been to teddy’s by the sea in carpinteria several times and my family and I have always enjoyed it and we are thrilled for the possibility of a second Teddy’s opening in our neighborhood. They serve the best fish tacos that I have ever tried.
I do miss Yanni though. It was always such a weird experience but I loved the gyros.
I walked in to the Mackenzie Market when it was open and I walked right back out. It was not a place I felt comfortable eating.
Re: Sportsman. So very passive aggressive. “I don’t mind the sign…,”but if you want to get them busted here’s all the city contact info smh. Also there’s SB Travel neon, and The Wildcat has neon.