Municipal Winemakers has announced that it will be closing its Funk Zone tasting room on Jan. 25 after 15 years to focus on its other locations.
Muni Wine announced the upcoming closure of the spot at 22 Anacapa St. in Santa Barbara in an email on Dec. 29. Owner Dave Potter said closing the spot is not a sign of death for the winery, but closer to the business outgrowing a starter apartment.
“We got to be part of making the Funk Zone grow,” Potter said. “We evolved wine culture in Santa Barbara, making so many different styles and varieties of wines to help you discover what you love and then bring your friends back to share them. That’s been the whole point from the beginning: making real, honest wine that punches above its weight, and putting it in a place where wine is just the excuse to hang.”
Despite leaving the Funk Zone, Potter said the winery is not disappearing.
Residents can still grab a glass of wine through its pop-up at Potek Winery, at 406 E. Haley St., Suite 1 in Santa Barbara. The pop-up will begin in February, where guests can enjoy a smashburger and Muni wine.
Muni’s new home base officially will be its Ventura location at 339 N. Ventura Ave. That tasting room will celebrate its one-year anniversary in February.
Anchor Rose Restaurant Departs From Harbor
A harbor favorite has pulled up anchor and is leaving the pier.
Anchor Rose has closed as of early January, and the City of Santa Barbara is now looking for a new operator for the restaurant location.
Owner Dennis Longaberger announced that the restaurant, at 113 Harbor Way, Suite 180, would close in late December in a Facebook post from Nov. 6. The post cited the cost of the space as the reason.
The restaurant was known for its food and live music.
The city began accepting new lease applications from a “successful restaurant operator” for the space and closed the submission period on Wednesday. Leases are available for the lower patio near the Waterfront Center Building and the upstairs restaurant space.
Santa Barbara Dojo Opens Goleta Storefront
Santa Barbara Dojo officially opened its new Goleta location on Monday.
It’s the third location operated by Santa Barbara Dojo, with one in downtown Santa Barbara and the other in Granada Hills. The new dojo is located at 177 S. Turnpike Road.
As part of its opening, the Goleta location will host an open house on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. for those interested in joining. Residents can meet the staff, learn about the classes, see the facilities, and discuss special rates as part of the dojo’s opening.
Oprah Sells Portion of Montecito Estate
Oprah Winfrey has sold part of her Promised Land Estate to Maroon 5’s Adam Levine for a reported $17.3 million, six years after purchasing it.
The Spanish-style dwelling was sold by Winfrey to Levine and his wife, Behati Prinsloo, in early December, according to a Realtor.com story.
The portion of the estate is part of multiple properties that Winfrey owns in Montecito. She originally purchased the estate from actor Jeff Bridges.
Winfrey purchased her main Montecito property in 2001 for $50 million, and she expanded the estate by buying other properties in the area.
She has sold off portions of the estate, according to news reports. Levine and his wife purchased the home after selling their own Montecito home for $60 million in October.
Hotel Santa Barbara Reveals Renovations
Hotel Santa Barbara plans to celebrate its renovations with a ribbon-cutting event on Wednesday.
The hotel first opened in 1926 after the 1925 earthquake destroyed the original hotel.
The renovations transformed guest rooms, updated the conference room and introduced a new lobby bar, 1926.
The event is being hosted by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce and will be held at 533 State St. from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 14.
American Riviera Bank Opens Ventura Location
American Riviera Bank has opened a lending location in Ventura that will focus on fulfilling the needs for local business leaders and real estate owners.
The new location at 1280 S. Victoria Ave. opened on Jan. 2.
The branch will predominantly deal in commercial real estate lending, business loans, mortgage lending, and construction financing, providing customized financial solutions.