Del Pueblo Cafe is one of Santa Barbara’s hidden gems. From the food to the authentic Mexican art on the wall, the place exudes warmness and culture.

Plus, thanks to the generosity of the public, it will live to serve another day.

The restaurant, at 5134 Hollister Ave., recently raised more than $25,000 to pay off past bills to stay in business.

Owner Giselle Cuevas Camargo spoke with Noozhawk on Thursday about the business, her gratefulness to the community, and what the future holds.

“For this to not happen again it 100% needs to be the way it has been for the past week for us to be able to survive,” Cuevas Camargo said.

It’s a family business. Her grandparents Alejandro and Esperanza Arreola opened it 1997. She was born a year later. Eventually, her two uncles took the business over after her grandfather experienced a heart attack. In 2019, one of those uncles died, and Cuevas Camargo and her husband took it over in 2023.

“He left MarBorg to come here,” she said. “He learned every recipe and enhanced every recipe, and now he runs the full kitchen. Now, we are here. A little stressed, but that’s OK.”

They pay about $9,000 a month in rent, and the money they collected from the GoFundMe will help pay their past due bills.

The grandparents still live on in the form of portraits.

The vibe of the restaurant was created by her uncle Enrique. He collects art from local artists, from students and family members. A lot of the art is from Michoacán and Guanajuato, Oaxaca in Mexico.

On the wall of the dining room are portraits of her grandfather, painted by her younger sister. She won a first-place award from the Santa Barbara Art Institute for a painting of her grandmother.

The rest of the place is beaming with art, with images of Mexican icons such as actor Cantinflas and wrestler El Santo. There’s Dia de los Muertos imagery, along with the Mayan calendar.

She hopes people will continue to frequent the restaurant regularly and show support year-round. She plans to start a morning coffee bar to enhance business.

“I have always wanted to do coffee,” she said. “I am going to try opening at 6:30 in the morning to sell coffee and pastries to see if that helps with business.”

Cookie Plug Changing Name

When Cookie Plug opens soon in Isla Vista, expect it to be a little different.

The shop at 6529 Trigo Road, Suite B is expanding and changing its name to Sweet Hustle, breaking away from the Cookie Plug franchise.

“We will still have delicious big cookies, but also offer a huge array of items like cheesecake slices, brownies, lemon bars, slushy,” owner Annette Rodriguez told Noozhawk, adding that she will also offer ice cream.

The tentative grand opening is set for Oct. 25.

Rodriguez is a local resident, and her mother is Jo Ann Caines, a well-known educator and longtime principal of La Cumbre Junior High School.

Rodriguez, a nurse, went to Santa Barbara High School and Santa Barbara City College, and later earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Her brother is Doug Caines, a football coach and teacher.

Renaissance Antiques Preserved

Renaissance Antiques founders Ron and Julie Palladino announced in January that they would be retiring and closing the Solvang store. The universe had other plans.

“Many of you have expressed regret at the closure of the business, and while we sincerely share your sentiments, after 50 wonderful years we are looking forward to slowing down,” they said in a message to their clients. “The overwhelming response to our retirement sale and your well wishes for our future have been both humbling and gratifying.”

So, after some conversations, the Palladinos decided to pass on the business to Cindy Ramos and other employees. The new leadership will consist of Ramos and Michael McConnell, sales inventory control, and Andrea King Clarke, head researcher and copywriter.

“This new chapter will be carried forward by Cindy Ramos and the dedicated team you’ve come to know and trust over the years,” the Palladinos said. “Many of you have built close connections with our incredible staff, and we share your admiration for their unwavering commitment to serving our clients. We remain continually inspired by the genuine relationships they’ve fostered through their expertise, care and dedication.”

The Palladinos will stay on as consultants.

“Behind the sales team will be our extraordinary team of restorers, assuring that every item will be offered in restored condition with a full warranty,” they said. “Clock, watch and music box restoration services will continue to remain available to our clients.”

Ramos added: “My passion lies in preserving treasures of the past, and creating an experience that feels rare, personal and magical, for anyone visiting us in person or connecting with us from afar.

“I hope our renewed direction will not only help introduce new generations to the wonder of fine antiques, but will also safeguard and share the remarkable legacy and rare knowledge that Ron and Julie have cultivated over the last half-century.”