Santa Barbara’s downtown natural wine bar and vegetarian restaurant Satellite is set to close its doors for good in September.

Founder Drew Cuddy confirmed Satellite’s planned Sept. 13 closure earlier this week after rumors about it “blew up super fast” online, he told Noozhawk. 

Cuddy plans to regroup Satellite for now at 616 E. Haley St., The Factory, which he said will be a place for “experimentation and growth,” which they are already “rolling in.”

He thanked the customers for their support.

“Whether you stopped by once and loved it or were a regular fixture, thank you for making Satellite so special and loving it alongside me and my team,” he wrote online.

The downtown location, attached to the Kiva Coworking site at 1117 State St., was known for its farm-to-table restaurant and natural wine shop. It offers an all-day dine-in bar, lunch and dinner, as well as catering and wine education.

“After 10 years, the decision didn’t come easily, and it didn’t come quickly. We’ve been month-to-month on our lease for the last year or so, and unfortunately, we haven’t been able to find an agreement that works for both us and our landlords at Kiva,” he wrote online.

Cuddy added that there is no “shade” to Kiv, and that with the move to Haley Street, “our wine webshop, wine club, wine tastings and music events will continue to evolve there, and they’ll become even better.”

Dozens of Satellite fans supported Cuddy by sharing messages online, from mourning the loss to wishing him well.

“My heart is full,” Cuddy told Noozhawk. “You never know how they are going to react, but there’s so much of a combination of sadness, excitement, encouragement and love.”

He added that he would like to reopen a permanent space downtown in the future.

“One day, hopefully, if we can figure out a way to make State Street sustainable for small local businesses,” Cuddy told Noozhawk. 

He said he hopes to use The Factory as a gathering place for conversations regarding how small businesses can thrive in downtown Santa Barbara.

Since Cuddy made the announcement online, he said it’s been “crazy at the restaurant with an influx of people stopping in” before it closes.

“It’s been nuts, but really great and we are so honored,” he told Noozhawk. “It feels like a gift after all this time to get confirmation that people love us and we feel the same way about Santa Barbara.” 

For people mourning the loss of Satellite’s vegetarian and vegan food offerings, Cuddy said some events at The Factory could see “a brief two to five menu item options.”

Crushcakes & Café Brings Food Service Back to Goleta

Goleta Crushcakes & Café’s breakfast and lunch are back.

The local bakery and eatery announced it would end its lunch and breakfast service and transition to bakery-only operations at its 5392 Hollister Ave. location in late July.

Shannon Gaston, owner of Crushcakes & Café, said the decision was driven by “high cost of food and staffing issues,” she told Noozhawk in an email.

However, that only lasted a few weeks.

Gaston said she received so many messages, reviews and emails urging the business to bring back breakfast and lunch.

“Honestly, I had no idea how much people would miss our food!” Gaston wrote in an email. 

Two World of Magic Halloween Stores Planned

While the weather might not feel like fall just yet, Santa Barbara and Goleta soon will feel the Halloween spirit. 

World of Magic Halloween plans to open two stores, expanding from the one it usually opens in downtown Santa Barbara. 

“We’re incredibly excited to have two locations this year,” Erin Foley, World of Magic store owner, said in an email.

A “superstore” will open in Goleta at 199 N. Fairview Ave., taking over the former Rite Aid. It will be World of Magic’s largest store with a “huge” variety of Halloween items, including costumes, accessories, decor and props, according to Foley.

Its “express location” will open in downtown Santa Barbara at 913 State St.

Foley said she hopes to have both locations open by Labor Day, which is in early September.

Jonesy’s Fried Chicken to Close in Old Town Goleta

An Old Town Goleta fried chicken spot is closing its doors Aug. 30.

Jonesy’s Fried Chicken — created by Goleta local Kyle Jones — announced the closure earlier this week, after more than two years at 282 Orange Ave.

The restaurant offers fried chicken sandwiches and plates, as well as other fried sides.

“From day one, this has been a labor of love for us. We have loved every minute of creating smiles through dishes and building relationships with each and every one of you over our food,” staff wrote in a social media announcement. 

“From the bottom of our hearts we want to say thank you all for your devoted loyalty, smiles and memories you have created with us.”

Opening of Downtown Santa Barbara Sweet Shop Delayed

The opening of Confectionarium, a new sweets shop planned for downtown Santa Barbara, is delayed.

Initially slated to open in mid-August at the corner of State and De la Guerra streets, it will now most likely open next month instead, according to Joanna Hobday, chief operating officer of Event Network. 

“(We) are working diligently to get caught up,” she said.

Hints of the shop are already visible on the exterior, including the storefront sign and white-and-yellow window awnings.

The store is designed to be a “memory-making” experience that will offer bulk candy, “nostalgic favorites,” locally inspired treats and interactive moments, according to a hiring posting.

A Decade of Helena Avenue Bakery

In honor of its 10th anniversary, Helena Avenue Bakery will throw a party on Sunday in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone. 

The event will run from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with treats, free games, music and food pop-ups at 131 Anacapa St., Suite C.