After nearly four decades, Casitas Cleaners in Carpinteria will be closing for good at the end of October.

The longtime mainstay at 5402 Carpinteria Ave. announced earlier this year that its last day of operation would be Aug. 31, but it will remain open until Oct. 30 to allow customers to pick up their clothes.

Sunny and Jun Han have operated the business since 1989, when Sunny Han purchased it.

Jun Han, originally from South Korea, first came to Santa Barbara in 1986 because his sister was living in the area. He stayed for about a year before moving back to Los Angeles.

He eventually moved back to Carpinteria after purchasing the business.

Shortly after his wife and son joined him in Carpinteria from South Korea, Han said he wanted to move to a larger city. However, his wife quickly shut down the idea.

Their daughter was later born at Cottage Hospital.

Han said they chose to close the business because of a combination of the cost of rent and the dry-cleaning equipment, which needed to be entirely replaced because of its age.

He said replacing the equipment would require raising the shop’s prices, which they already increased after their rent went up.

Although the shop no longer cleans clothes, it remains open to give customers a chance to pick up any forgotten items, some of which have been there for years.

Han said they use a computer to keep track of orders, and they can look up anyone even if the clothes were dropped off years ago. Any clothes that are not picked up will be donated after the shop’s last day later this month.

Han said he and his wife have no plans after they retire except to relax.

New Cafe Opening on State Street

A new cafe known as Esther’s will be opening on Santa Barbara’s State Street in the coming months.

Esther’s is a joint venture of operators Starr Hall, Bruce Rolla and Barbara McDaniel. Rolla and McDaniel opened another business, Beau’s, in March.

Beau’s, which is described as a storytelling bar, is located at 1129A State St.  

The new shop is located across the street from the Granada Theatre at 1213 State St.

The Esther’s opening date has not been announced.

The two locations are named after characters in a book written by Hall, featuring Beau as the main character and Esther as his love interest. The series, “The Beau Chronicles,” will be released in May of next year.

Esther’s is described as a breakfast house and will serve a mixture of breakfast, coffee, tea, tonics and elixirs, pies, soup and salad.

Zaca Coffee Leaves the Funk Zone

Zaca Coffee has announced that its trailer in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone will be relocating as of Saturday.

The coffee company announced on its Instagram that it will celebrate its last day at its current location with special offers.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the amazing community that has supported us here,” the post said. “While we’ll miss this spot, we’re excited to share that a new location, not too far away, will be announced soon!”

The post also encouraged the public to visit its Buellton location or its website.

Ravenscroft Estate For Sale in Montecito

The historic Ravenscroft Estate in Montecito is officially on the market for nearly $30 million.

The property was designed by renowned architect George Washington Smith, also known as the “Father of Santa Barbara Architecture.” Smith designed the home in 1922 for Peggy Ravenscroft.

The estate is in the Spanish Revival architectural style and spans more than 1.59 acres. The home includes eight bedrooms, 9.5 bathrooms and 10,619 square feet of space, according to the listing.

The property is located at 779 Ayala Lane and is listed on Redfin for $29,950,000.

State Street Trading Post Opens

The State Street Trading Post is officially open for business and is planning its grand opening for Nov. 7.

The space at 1105 State St. in Santa Barbara is a collection of more than 30 vendors selling furniture, clothes, artwork and other home accessories.

It is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The store’s weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Get Your Pies Ready

Montecito Country Mart will host its first-ever pie baking contest on Saturday with a chance of cash prizes for the top choices.

The contest is a collaboration with Santa Barbara Culinary Experience and will be held at the market at 1016 Coast Village Road in Montecito.

The first-place winner will receive $100, and second- and third-place will receive gift cards. There will also be a special kids’ category for participants younger than ag e14.

The drop-off time for pies is 11 a.m., and winners will be announced at 12:30 p.m.

Loquita Restaurant Celebrates 10 Years

Spanish restaurant Loquita will be celebrating its 10th anniversary with a menu featuring all its most popular dishes through the end of October.

The restaurant, located in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone at 202 State St., has won various accolades and is included in the Michelin Guide.

“An anniversary is a chance to look back, but it’s also a reason to bring everyone together,” founder Sherry Villanueva said. “We wanted to celebrate with the dishes and drinks our guests have loved over the years. Whether you’ve been joining us since the beginning or are discovering Loquita for the first time, we’re excited to welcome you to the table and raise a glass to the next chapter.”