Brian Colgate is a man of the sea, and it can feel as if you are looking into the ocean when staring into his deep blue eyes.

With a long, scruffy beard and a calming cadence to his speech, Colgate exudes a combination of serenity and enthusiasm about life and his latest business venture — the Santa Barbara Fish Market in Goleta.

“It’s a full opportunity to enjoy community, to enjoy being with the ocean elements, just being integrated into the incredible abundance we have here, provided by the harbor and the fishing community that we have here,” Colgate said Thursday, in a interview at the Market. “They work so hard and devote their lives to forging the weather, getting out and providing us with this incredible, healthy food to nourish our mind, body and spirits.”

The new restaurant is at 7127 Hollister Ave., Suite 18.

The Goleta market/restaurant has scheduled a soft opening for Saturday, with an official Grand Opening in November.

Beginning Saturday, the market and restaurant will offer Santa Barbara sea urchins, rock crab claws, halibut, white sea bass, Hope Ranch mussels, fresh poke, Mexican white shrimp, salmon, rockfish and chips, calamari and many other seafood products. Much of the seafood is brought in fresh from the local fishing community.

In addition, there’s a grab-and-go area and a restaurant area.

At the helm is chef Paul Osborne, a former executive chef at the Miramar Rosewood in Montecito and former executive sous chef at the Hotel Californian, and who has a degree in culinary arts from Santa Barbara City College.

“To be able to offer fresh, local Santa Barbara fish to this community is very near and dear to my heart,” Osborne told Noozhawk.

His favorite item to make is the crispy petrale sole sandwich.

“Any fish preparation I love, but I am most proud of the petrale sole sandwich because petrale sole is one of the healthiest ground fish on the West Coast, highest in omega 3s, very high in protein, very lean,” Osborne said. “It’s one of those fish you don’t often see featured on menus around here.”

The Goleta market/restaurant is the latest business to revitalize the Plaza Shopping Center, which has seen an infusion of energy with Planet Fitness and IHOP.

The Santa Barbara Fish Market at 117 Harbor Way, Suite A opened more than 20 years ago, and is a popular place for people to buy locally caught fish. The Goleta market will offer the same fish as the market, but also a restaurant and an outdoor sitting area.

The Goleta restaurant has a smoker in the kitchen.

“We’re going to be doing daily smoking of products, like our local black cod,” Colgate said.

Laszlo Nemeth, Colgate’s business partner, is excited about the experience.

“This is basically the harbor store, but with an elevated experience because of the kitchen,” Nemeth said. “We have a full kitchen designed and run by a fantastic chef. He is bringing culinary experience, two decades of high-end experience into this small scale but high-end concept.”

Colgate attended Dos Pueblos High School and grew up in Goleta. He’s a surfer, who loves the ocean.

“It is fantastic to be able to soak back into that and really connect back into my Goleta roots and to have a space to enjoy the fruits of the sea with the Goleta community,” Colgate said. “It’s a big part of who I am and what has allowed the progression and creation of Santa Barbara Fish Market to be what it is.”

Bank Merger

Community West Bank has merged with Central Valley Community Bank in a major shakeup to the local banking world.

Community West Bank’s seven full-service bank offices in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties will combine with Central Valley Community Bank’s 20 full-service banking centers in eight counties, according to a news release.

Central Valley Community Bank will assume the name Community West Bank.

“Central Valley Community Bank has steadily and profitably grown for over 43 years, building a highly attractive franchise in California’s San Joaquin Valley and Greater Sacramento region,” James Kim, president and CEO of Central Valley Community Bancorp and Central Valley Community Bank, said in a statement.

The statement said the complementary culture, client service model and Central Coast presence of Community West Bank furthered the opportunity for company growth in “well-recognized Central California communities.”

“Uniting our two great organizations under the single name of Community West Bank brings our unique brand of relationship banking and experienced bankers to more communities in an expanded service area, with the strength of one of Central California’s largest community banks,” Kim said in the statement.

State Street Arts District Event

The ARTS District Santa Barbara is holding its “Fall for the ARTS” event on Friday, Oct. 20 to support the businesses on and around the 1100 to 1300 blocks of State Street.

The district is home to art galleries and museums, retail boutiques, and some of the best bars and restaurants in Santa Barbara.

“The community is invited to come together to celebrate and support the businesses in the ARTS District in one unforgettable evening that showcases the fusion of art, music, creatives, food, libations, curated retail experiences and so much more,” according to a news release.

Guests can expect a vibrant array of offerings from participating businesses, from seasonal menu specials, signature cocktails, artist meet-and-greets, new exhibits, pop-ups, trunk shows, live music and more, according to a news release.

The businesses participating include Ca’Dario, Bouchon, Diani, Catherine Gee, Jane, Opal, Paradise Found and many more.

The district invites all businesses to participate in the event to spotlight something new or special about their business, according to the news release.

Visit artsdistrictsb.org/events for the full list of events, and follow the district on Instagram @artsdistrictsb for updates on “Fall for the ARTS” and other happenings.