Sunstone Winery Expands with New Santa Barbara Tasting Room

Sunstone Winery, located in Santa Ynez, is set to open a new tasting room in Santa Barbara next month. The winery will take over the former Folded Hills tasting room at 1294 Coast Village Road. Although the storefront is already undergoing renovations, the tasting room is expected to officially open in March 2024, as confirmed by Teddy Cabugos, the president and owner of Sunstone Winery.

Local Establishments Adjust Operations

In other local news, Cajun Kitchen has postponed its reopening date. Initially slated for the week of February 16, 2024, the restaurant at 6831 Hollister Ave. will now open in March. Jorge Peralta, the director of operations, cited “renovation surprises” as the reason for the delay. The restaurant has been closed for 11 months while undergoing renovations, which include a new dining area and a breakfast counter designed for a more modern aesthetic. “We want to ensure this new chapter starts perfectly,” Peralta stated.

Meanwhile, Food Liaison will permanently close its Carpinteria café on February 16, 2024, after ten years of operation. Co-owners Jason and Nirasha Rodriguez will shift their focus to their catering business following the closure of the café at 1033 Casitas Pass Road. Rising costs of food, labor, and rent prompted this decision. “There have been so many tears and hugs and hundreds of messages,” Nirasha Rodriguez remarked, noting that since announcing the closure on social media, they have experienced a surge in customer demand. “We are doubling, tripling our sales, and we can’t make enough food,” she added.

Ownership Changes and Closures

BOND Fitness, located at 211 W. Carrillo St., is transitioning to new ownership. Friends of the original founders, Mia and Chito Elias, are stepping in to lead the fitness center. Chito Elias expressed initial apprehension about taking on the ownership role but sees it as a promising opportunity. The Elias duo plans to enhance the gym’s offerings by adding strength training equipment and fostering partnerships with local nonprofit organizations. “We want everybody to walk in the doors and feel like they have had success,” Chito Elias stated.

The Riviera Bar, which has been a fixture in downtown Santa Barbara for almost five years, served its last drinks on February 14, 2024. Co-owners Kevin and Gwynn Boss expressed gratitude to their patrons in a farewell social media post, stating, “It’s been a pleasure serving you.”

In a notable health sector development, Hayashida Physical Therapy has joined the Sutter Health network. This acquisition, which took place in October 2023, marks Sutter Health’s first acquisition since merging with Sansum Clinic approximately three years ago. To celebrate the partnership, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held recently. Patients at Sutter Health’s Physical Therapy Department now have access to a total of 27 therapists across three locations in Santa Barbara County, including 319 Anacapa St., 271 N. Fairview Ave., and 5385 Hollister Ave..

These changes in the local business landscape highlight the ongoing evolution of community establishments in Santa Barbara, reflecting adaptation and resilience amid economic pressures.