One of Santa Barbara’s most iconic and prominent restaurants has new owners.

Attorney John Thyne III, his wife, Olesya Thyne, Gene Sanchez and his wife, Carolina Jimenez, have purchased The Harbor Restaurant and Longboard’s, and they have plans to elevate the restaurant to new levels.

“Approximately 6 million people walk past the front doors of this restaurant every year,” John Thyne said. “We saw an opportunity to bring the restaurant into the next generation.”

The team is renovating the downstairs Harbor restaurant in phases to give the space a “fresher look,” with new paint and carpet. Ultimately, they plan to allow multiple concepts under the same roof, including a restaurant, a coffee bar, an ice cream bar and a lounge. Eventually, the crew would like to add Sunday brunches.

Upstairs, they will keep Longboard’s, and they plan to build rooftop decks at the restaurant.

They also have hired a new chef, Katie Teal, whom the Thynes met more than a decade ago while looking for a wedding cake.

“She is amazing,” Olesya Thyne said.

She said people love the food, and the food is much more flavorful.

Sanchez said he plans to bring a South American feel to the restaurant, with Peruvian and Chilean food.

“We want to make this the best venue in Santa Barbara,” Sanchez said. “We want to bring weddings and parties.”

The seating capacity of the restaurant is 446.

Sanchez and Jimenez own a seafood distribution company.

“We want to do high-end seafood at an affordable price,” Sanchez said.

They also sell steaks and prime rib.

Part of the restaurant is currently open, and early next year, the full restaurant will open to the public.

“At some point we will be saying, ‘Come on down to the Harbor,'” Thyne said. “It will be an experience like you have not had for many years.”

Finney’s Is Coming to the Goodland

According to Instagram, the popular Finney’s restaurant is coming to the Camino Real Marketplace.

“Excited to announce Finney’s is coming to … Goleta !!! Opening end of 2024. We can’t wait to join this amazing community,” the post states.

The new restaurant is expected to take over the former Hollister Brewing Co., which went out of business earlier this year.

Yona Redz Cashes In

Santa Barbara restaurant Yona Redz was awarded $50,000 from DoorDash.

“Our mission to empower local economies is unwavering — no matter how big or how small of a community we’re serving,” said Ryan Mosher, regional sales manager at DoorDash. “We’re thrilled to award Yona, a first-time restaurant owner who opened Yona Redz during the pandemic, with $50,000 to continue growing his beloved local business in Santa Barbara.”

Jonathan “Yona” Estrada founded the restaurant in 2020, rising from backyard barbecues and a pop-up. It’s located at 532 State St.

“The strong sense of community is the main reason I come to my restaurant every day and look forward to serving the best birria on State Street and all over Santa Barbara with DoorDash making it possible to get our food fast and easy,” Estrada said in a news release. “I was so surprised when DoorDash called to let me know I was getting a $50,000 check to grow my business. It’s not everyday you see a local business like mine celebrated in this way. … This check will go a long way.”