One of Santa Barbara’s most iconic restaurants is coming back — and at one of Santa Barbara’s most beautiful locations.

The Harbor Restaurant on Stearns Wharf is set to reopen Wednesday.

“Olesya and I, and our partners Gene Sanchez and his wife, Carolina Jimenez, are very excited to bring The Harbor Restaurant back to its glory days for locals and visitors with exceptional dining, an exciting bar and an incredible private event experience on the pier with the best views in town,” co-owner John Thyne said.

The four purchased The Harbor Restaurant and Longboard’s Grill upstairs in 2023.

The restaurant is having a soft opening this weekend.

“Popular food celebrity Molly Katzen once said, ‘Cooking is love made visible,’ and that is our executive chef Gonzalo Del Pino’s philosophy,” Thyne said.

The executive chef offers international coastal cuisine that features worldwide recipes and local ingredients. Thyne said it’s a delicious and creative menu.

“Our general manager, Rich Holowell, is an absolute star in hospitality, and he has created a drink program and overall experience that will appeal to all of our guests,” Thyne said.

The team has worked during the past several months to renovate the restaurant and give it a “fresher look,” with new paint and carpet.

Fiesta 5 Theater Closes

Five months after the Metropolitan Theaters Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a Santa Barbara theater has folded.

The Fiesta 5 theater on State Street shut its doors this month. It’s unclear what happens next, but the City of Santa Barbara owns the land and has been in closed-session negotiations to lease the site to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

“Metro’s lease expires Sept. 3, and it was not renewed,” Santa Barbara Assistant City Attorney John Doimas said. “Metro has begun removing their fixtures.”

He said the city is still in the process of negotiating a new lease with a new tenant.

“My hope is something will be on the council agenda in a couple of weeks with an announcement,” Doimas said.

The company also operates Paseo Nuevo Cinemas and Hitchcock Cinema & Public House in Santa Barbara, as well as the Camino Real Cinemas and Fairview Theatre in Goleta.

According to the bankruptcy court filing in March, the company paid about $2.6 million annually in rent for all of its theaters.

Sew Santa Barbara Opens

Santa Barbara has a new sewing shop.

Sew Santa Barbara at 4175 State St. is holding a grand opening on Saturday.

It offers a selection of fabric, notions, patterns and books, and will be announcing classes for all levels and interests, according to a news release.

The store also will offer designer fabric end stock, including silks, linens, lace and woolens.

“It will be an opportunity to make something truly unique and make every visit to the store a surprise,” the news release stated.

The new store is the area’s only authorized Bernina dealer between the San Fernando Valley and Santa Maria.

“Bernina has developed a very loyal following because of its exceptional quality,” store owner Chantal Murphy said in a news release.

The Sew Santa Barbara grand opening will offer chances to win prizes and get a sewing-related gift.

Santa Barbara Auto Truck Closing

Old Town Goleta has lost a business.

Santa Barbara Auto Truck 4×4 Accessories at 5737 Hollister Ave. in Goleta, next to Habit Burger & Grill, is closing its doors.

“We are retiring,” the company said on Facebook. “Closing the doors Sept. 30.”

The longtime store sells everything from seat covers and roof racks to bed mats and covers.

Chaucer’s Celebrating Birthday

Chaucer’s Books is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a series of events.

It’s hosting a five-week celebration filled with activities designed to celebrate storytelling, books and Santa Barbara, according to a news release. The free anniversary events will take place at the bookstore from Sept. 25 to Nov. 1.

The events will include workshops, storytelling time, a birthday bash and the “Tell Us Your Story” contest. People are invited to share their favorite memories and experiences related to the bookstore, and how reading and books have impacted their lives.

Participants can submit their stories, poems, photos or artwork that capture any of these elements, according to a news release.

The submission deadline is Oct. 23, and people can submit entries in the store or online at forms.gle/imCttC8E96pgr3bYA. Winners will be announced Oct. 28.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support and love the store has received from our community over the past 50 years,” said Jen Lemberger, co-owner of Chaucer’s Books. “This celebration is our way of giving back and sharing our appreciation with those who have helped make our bookstore a special place.”