A new shop has arrived in the Santa Barbara Public Market, offering a selection of deep-fried treats.
Lily’s Donuts & Pops is now open in the market at 38 W. Victoria St., serving fresh doughnuts and a variety of coffee drinks. The shop is open from 8 a.m. to closing.
Lily’s Donuts announced that it was opening its stall in October 2024 and officially opened its doors last week. Co-owners Omar Khashen, Komron Tarkeshian and Gary Coburn started the business.
Khashen said the inspiration for the shop came out of their childhood experiences in Orange County of buying doughnuts with their parents.
“We just wanted a kind of a playful, fun place for kids to go with their parents and experience getting doughnuts and coffee in the morning and kind of the fun of that,” Khashen told Noozhawk.
The shop offers a variety of doughnuts ranging from classic glazed and chocolate to blueberry, carrot cake and lemon meringue. The flavors and ideas are a collaboration of the team, but are later brought to life by the shop’s chef, Nick DuBois.
“It’s been fun to kind of watch him get creative with it and kind of elevate some of the doughnut experience,” Khashen said.
Lily’s Donuts will be opening another location in the coming months in downtown Santa Barbara at 504 State St., the former site of Cold Stone Creamery.
The second store will be an expanded concept of the Public Market shop, which Khashen said was intended to be a smaller, faster version. In addition to its normal menu, the State Street location will also sell paleta popsicles, beer and wine.
Khashen said the State Street space is in the middle of construction and that they hope to open in a few months.
Giovanni’s Pizza Grand Opening in Goleta
Giovanni’s Pizza has opened a second location in Goleta at 6831 Hollister Ave., in the Target shopping center.
The first store is located in Santa Barbara at 3020 State St.
The pizza shop will be hosting its grand opening on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. with giveaways to attendees.
Touch-the-Truck Event
In honor of National Firefighters Day, Firehouse Subs in Santa Maria will be hosting a Touch-the-Truck event. The event will take place on Saturday at the Enos Ranch Business Center at 469 Betteravia Road.
Residents are invited to see a firetruck and other equipment up close and take photos with local firefighters and first responders.
The truck will be at the store between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Free Comic Book Day and Conventions
Comic book stores across the nation will be celebrating Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, including Santa Barbara’s Metro Entertainment.
The shop at 6 W. Anapamu St. will be hosting its celebration between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. Metro has more than 5,000 comics to give away, a storewide sale, and an opportunity to take photos with the 501st Legion.
Residents in the North County can attend the Santa Maria Comic Con & Card Show. The event will take place at the Santa Maria Fairpark, 937 S. Thornburg St.
The convention will feature more than 100 vendor stalls, 20 artist alley spaces and up to 15 celebrity guests. There will also be panels, games, karaoke, and costume contests.
The event will take place on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets for the event are $20 per day.
Picklr Opens Its Doors
The Picklr, the new pickleball courts in Goleta, will have its grand opening on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and is open to the public.
The club, at 191 N. Fairview Ave., has seven courts, a pro shop, AI coaching, and full lockers and showers. The venue also plans to host tournaments and league play.
The club took over the old Bed Bath & Beyond in the Fairview Shopping Center.
Saturday’s grand opening will feature chances to play the game, tours of the facilities, a food truck and giveaways. After Saturday, the club will be open from 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week.
Etty’s Jewish Deli & Bakery Gatherings
Beginning Friday, Etty’s Jewish Deli & Bakery will be hosting Café Ivrit, a new gathering where Hebrew speakers can eat, drink and enjoy one another’s company.
The event will happen every First Friday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 524 Chapala St. in Santa Barbara.
The event is open to Hebrew speakers of all levels. Free coffee will be available to attendees, and select menu items will be marked 10% off.
City of Santa Barbara TOT Revenue
Santa Barbara announced that it has collected $3 million in transient occupancy tax revenue for March. The tax is generated by stays at hotels and short-term rentals.
So far, the city’s TOT revenues are 8.3% above budget for the fiscal year, which ends June 30.
Asher Market Arrives in Montecito
Anyone looking for a new alpaca wool cardigan can now visit Asher Market’s new Montecito location at 1470 East Valley Road, Suite J.
The new shop marks the brand’s third Santa Barbara County location, with others in Santa Barbara and Solvang. The clothing store describes itself as a California-based lifestyle brand known for its ethically made clothing.
