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Can Montecito get even more posh? Its only major grocery store surely can.
Vons, 1040 Coast Village Road, soon will be rebranded and renovated. Sometime in October, Vons will re-emerge as Pavilions. The name is one of the brands under Albertsons, which owns Vons in Southern California.
Pavilions is intended to be a more upscale outing and shopping experience than the current Vons. The store recently put out a sign stating that it would transition into a Pavilions.
According to Vons, Pavilions will focus on organic food and specialty wines and other food items. Much of the new grocery items are already stocked, according to a store employee.
The project is working its way through the permitting process with the City of Santa Barbara, but construction is likely to start in late September or October.
Vons doesn’t plan to close the store, but instead will work overnight and possibly open an hour later than usual during the inside renovations. Much of the changes are branding focused, with new aesthetics and a redesign of the aisles. The walkways in the back of the store will get wider and the displays at the end of the aisles more elaborate.
The nearest Pavilions store is in Sherman Oaks.
A store employee told Noozhawk that efforts have been made in recent months to improve the store and make it a more pleasant shopping experience. The Pavilions name will be the final example of those efforts. According to Vons, prices will go up for some specialty items, but most other products will remain the same.
New Law Firm with Familiar Name
Longtime attorney John Thyne has formed the new law firm of Thyne Taylor Fox Howard.
The Santa Barbara firm recently moved into its new offices to 205 E. Carrillo St., Suite 100.
Thyne co-founded real estate brokerage firm Goodwin & Thyne Properties, and taught at the Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law for more than 20 years. He also served as president of the Santa Barbara County Bar Foundation and on the board of the Santa Barbara County Bar Association for years.
Partner Lacy Taylor graduated as valedictorian of her law school class at the Santa Barbara College of Law and has been an associate in the firm’s predecessor for six years, according to a news release. Taylor won a more than $1 million verdict in an elder abuse case in Santa Barbara. Taylor specializes in civil litigation, landlord/tenant disputes and corporate law.
Partner Justin Fox has practiced alongside members of the firm for the past eight years, focusing on estate planning, real estate portfolio management, corporate law, intellectual property, technology and entertainment, according to a news release. Fox toured with rock band Dishwalla as a signed recording artist, a music publisher for television and movies, and as an engineer-producer in the studio with other artists, a news release stated.
Partner Jerry Howard is a seasoned litigator who has successfully defended Fortune 500 corporate clients in contract disputes, business, premises liability, labor/employment law and insurance matters across the country in state and federal courts. Howard has served on the board of the Santa Barbara Boys & Girls Club and was a board member for the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center, now known as Standing Together to End Sexual Assault.
Joining the partners in the new firm is Angela Greenspan, a new associate attorney who will focus on business law. Her experience as a business owner and consultant provides insight into her clients’ challenges and provides solutions to create a strong business foundation. She is a member of the Robert L. Gordon Inns of Court, Santa Barbara Women Lawyers and the National Charity League of Santa Barbara.
Montecito Bank & Trust Hires VP
Montecito Bank & Trust has hired Dana Mancini as vice president and senior trust officer.
Mancini is a certified trust and fiduciary adviser and holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Italian from Bryn Mawr College. She attended the University of Pennsylvania Italian Studies Institute for a summer program in Florence, Italy, which contributed to her proficiency in Italian.
“Dana brings years of experience in trust administration and has a reputation for her hard work and client dedication,” said Jeff Pitman, executive vice president and director of wealth management. “I have no doubt that our clients will be thrilled to work with her to navigate any level of complex trusts. She will fit well with the entire dedicated and effective Wealth Department team.”
Mancini’s client relationship philosophy of listening and ensuring clients have the opportunity to explain their expectations and priorities is directly aligned with MB&T’s client experience culture, according to a news release.
Solvang’s Alisal Names New Spa Manager
The Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort has hired Katherine Brocke as spa manager.
The Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort has 73 private guest cottages and suites, two 18-hole golf courses, a 6,500-square-foot spa and fitness center, and six tennis courts, among other features.
According to a press release, Brocke brings extensive wellness and esthetician experience.
“The Spa at The Alisal provides a tranquil respite where guests are encouraged to kick off their boots and indulge in a variety of wellness services — ranging from massages and facials to expert-led experiences — curated to complement the plentiful activities offered throughout the resort,” a news release stated.
“With The Alisal’s expansive offerings of outdoor and athletic activities for guests to enjoy during their stay, I’m excited to introduce treatments that are tailored to those unique muscle groups and aimed at relaxation after physical stress, whether it be a post-horseback riding massage or a relaxation session after a round of tennis,” Brocke said. “On the other hand, guests seeking a more luxurious stay at the ranch can select from an array of treatments that are intended for ultimate relaxation, including stress-relieving massages techniques with pressure point stimulation.”
The spa offers several new spa treatments, with names such as “Sip & Stretch,” “Giddy-Up” and “Game, Set, Match.”
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
