Restoration Hardware, or RH, as it is now known, has opened its unique concept of store and restaurant inside The Old Firehouse in the upper village of Montecito.
The recent opening just might have sparked more buzz in town than one of Elon Musk’s late-night rockets. This week, the place was packed, the parking lot was full, and plenty of vehicles paraded in and out of the lot, and in the shopping center next door.
The construction project on the street in front of the store didn’t help much with traffic circulation either.
Once inside, the pages of its elegant catalog come to life.
“We have long admired this iconic building and its rich history,” RH Chairman and CEO Gary Friedman said. “With great respect for the original architecture, we are re-establishing its relevance by harmoniously incorporating aspirational interior and exterior installations with an integrated hospitality concept unlike anything that exists in retail.”
RH Montecito, The Gallery at The Old Firehouse is “a reimagination of the Historic Fire House in the charming enclave perched above Santa Barbara,” according to a news release.
The Gallery features RH Firehouse Grill, an indoor-outdoor courtyard restaurant with fireplaces and fountains, a Wine & Barista Bar and an Interior Design Atelier.
At the entrance is the Great Room, “filled with fresh air and natural light and featuring reclaimed oak beams, a 14-foot ceiling and artistic installations of RH Collections integrated with rare art, antiques and artifacts from across the globe,” according to the news release.
The Wine & Barista Bar offers champagnes and wines from around the world, including Napa Valley.
RH Firehouse Grill, 1486 East Valley Road, features signature dishes such as the whole grilled branzino, the grilled vegetable and shrimp salad, and “what we believe might be the best fried chicken sandwich in America,” according to the news release.
“The restaurant’s Mediterranean-inspired interior features an exposed oak-beam ceiling and natural limestone tabletops, beneath the warm glow of handwoven pendants,” the news release states. “Seamlessly extending from indoors to out, the restaurant’s glass and steel French doors open to a lush garden, where guests will dine amid heritage olive trees and birds of paradise.”
On the second level, RH Interior Design offers clients an “unprecedented level” of professional design services, including a private presentation room with state-of-the-art technology.
RH Montecito, The Gallery at The Old Firehouse is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Beach Baby Kids Boutique Closing on Christmas Eve
The Beach Baby Kids Boutique in the Target Shopping Center in Goleta is closing its doors after nearly two years.
“It’s with a heavy heart we announce Beach Baby Kids Boutique will be closing its doors on Christmas Eve,” the company said in an Instagram post. “Health issues and retail challenges have taken their toll.”
The company opened at 270 Store Road about two years ago.
“Before we say goodbye, EVERYTHING MUST GO!” the company stated.
Sales are on items such as clothes, furniture, display tables, mannequins and “even the hangers.”
“Thank you, amazing community, for your love and support throughout our journey,” the post states.
Jenelle Osborne Finds New Job
The EconAlliance, based in Santa Maria, has hired Jenelle Osborne to serve as CEO.
According to its website, the EconAlliance supports “industry attraction, retention and expansion, championing northern Santa Barbara County communities and the key industry sectors that fuel these communities and inspire regional economic vitality.”
The alliance supports industries such as agriculture, energy, space, wine, tourism, development, manufacturing and tech.
Osborne was unsuccessful in her re-election bid for Lompoc mayor. Santa Barbara County Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann backed a new candidate, Lydia Perez. The two split the moderate/liberal vote, and conservative Jim Mosby was elected mayor. Osborne crossed Hartmann when she unsuccessfully challenged her for the supervisor’s seat in March.
Real Estate Continues Boom
According to Village Properties, 2024 has seen an increase in house and condo sales, as well as an increase in the value of homes.
About 1,137 homes have been sold so far in 2024 in south Santa Barbara County; 825 of those were single-family residences, and 312 were condominium sales.
Total sales were up 11% from 2023 and single-family homes up 14% from 2023. The average sale price of a single-family home was $3.6 million, and $1.3 million for a condominium.
Hotel Occupancy Increases
Hotel occupancy on the South Coast, at 67%, increased 5% year-over-year in November.
The average rate for a Santa Barbara South Coast hotel room in November was $314 a night, up 2% from the same month last year, according to Dani DeVries, public relations manager for Visit Santa Barbara.
“November proved to be a promising start to the holiday travel season with gross hotel rooms revenue increasing by 8% in November 2024 and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) projections setting new November records for both the city of Santa Barbara at $2.43 million and the city of Goleta at $1.1 million, which reported at 10% and 6% year-over-year growth, respectively,” Kathy Janega-Dykes, president/CEO of Visit Santa Barbara, said in a news release. “November’s uptick in travel, which contributed to the Santa Barbara Airport reporting its largest passenger counts to date on Dec. 1, along with Santa Barbara’s unique holiday offerings, points to an exciting conclusion to 2024 as the holiday season continues to unfold.”