The rebranding of Montecito’s grocery store is complete.
Exit Vons, walk inside Pavilions.
The market, at 1040 Coast Village Road, held a grand reopening this week to show off its new, upscale products.
Pavilions is one of the brands under Albertsons, which owns Vons in Southern California.
Pavilions will focus on organic food and specialty wines and other food items.
The newly remodeled and rebranded store includes a pharmacy, a fresh deli and bakery, and a pickup service for bakery items. The store also offers grocery delivery and Drive-Up & Go features.
The floral department includes the exclusive Debi Lilly design products, according to the website.
The first Pavilions opened in Garden Grove in 1985, in response to a growing awareness of fitness trends and fresh foods.
“Pavilions was not just a reinvention of shopping; it was a reinvention of how supermarkets operate,” the website states. “It was an idea whose time had come, and shoppers welcomed it enthusiastically.”
Pavilions stores exist in 35 states and the District of Columbia.
Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. Wins Medal
Figueroa Mountain Brewing earned a silver medal for its Hibiscus Lime Shandy, a lager-based beer at the 2023 Great American Beer Festival competition in Denver.
The competition included 99 beer categories and 175 beer styles.
It was the company’s 32nd medal at the competition in the past 12 years.
“Winning this year was extra special,” founder Jaime Dietenhofer said. “This was one of the most competitive GABF awards ever. To have your beers judged in a blind tasting without the marketing hype or outside influence, it means a lot. We are so grateful to have our beers recognized at this level and are excited about bringing recognition to beer and breweries on the Central Coast.”
Bed Tax Revenue Down in Santa Barbara
Transient occupancy taxes were 12.7% lower than expected for August in Santa Barbara. The city took in $3.45 million in transient occupancy taxes.
The decline, according to the city, “reflects a decline both in demand, especially in mid-week business, and average daily rates, likely exacerbated by the Tropical Storm Hilary warning.”
The city’s annual TOT budget for all funds is $33 million, of which $27.5 million is budgeted in the General Fund.
More Sunshine in Goleta
The Santa Barbara Sunshine Cafe has hung a banner in the Calle Real Shopping Center in Goleta stating that it is “Coming Soon.”
The restaurant has a location in Santa Barbara, at 3514 State St.
It is owned by Manuel Plascencia, who began his career in the business in 1990 as a busser at Josie’s Four Winds.
More High End Coming to Montecito Country Mart
Luxury brand Orlebar Brown is moving into the Montecito Country Mart.
The British retailer’s “holiday” fashion store is going into the former Montecito Natural Food store, 1014 Coast Village Road.
The store will be focused on luxury swimwear, shirts, shorts and other “holiday” wear.
Black bonded panel mid-length swim shorts cost $595, according to its website.
Santa Barbara Fish Market Nears Opening
Construction crews have been working frantically to open the Santa Barbara Fish Market at 7127 Hollister Ave., Suite 18, inside The Plaza.
The sign is up, the interior is near complete and crews are shooting for an early October opening.
The Goleta location will include a smoker to cook black cod, sable fish, wild salmon, yellow tail and more. The menu will include fish and chips, fish tacos, grab-‘n’-go items, and a small restaurant area with seating.