HOTS: Heard On The Street > Local gossip, facts, news, rumors, and red herring
The following posts are editorial comments with some links to resources, reference materials, and some unverified street-talk, and tall tales from the Heart of Marin and surrounding hospitality finds.
Summary:
- OPEN: Bubbala’s, RCU, Taco Jane’s, Kuro Nami, Marinitas
- CLOSED: Kientz Hall, Auryn Thai, Souvenir
- COMING: Pretti Platters, Cafe Reveille, Furniture
- COMMUNITY: Nish, LA Fires
OK….let’s go:
BE SEATED as two new furniture stores come to San Anselmo Avenue. Recently, two downtown locations had their rent doubled overnight by the landlord after decades of being faithful and on-time tenants. Displaced TAM REALTY is still very active and now operating remotely as they search for a new home (CLICK HERE), and Sugarfoot Books (formerly Whytes Booksmith) transplanted next to Flour Craft in the wake of these non-negotiable 100% increase in their rents. Going into each of those two former locations are apparently a furniture store, and… a furniture store. … across the street from home decorator and furniture store Curate Marin, just down the street from home decorator and furniture store Paisley Curated. The two new stores are allegedly not connected to each other. We’ll see what we see.
Posted 1/25/2025
SAN ANSELMO 2045 General Plan presentation by Town of SA and consultants was well attended last Thursday, mostly by townspeople and local merchants expecting an overview of the alleged concept to turn San Anselmo Avenue into a One Way street which highlights new two-way bicycle lanes on the one-way downtown corridor. There was a little confusion as to the actual or messaged intention of the meeting, which was to present a vision of the next 20 years in our community, starting with “where we are now,” the opportunities for the future, and get that overall “begin with the end in mind” by gaining public input, but it turned a little more adversarial by the locals. After several spirited merchant and public monologues, things calmed down and hopefully some general input was received. One take-away was that some merchants and commercial property owners were unware of the meetings, not alerted to what goes on in town, and noted they didn’t receive personal notifications; to that end, it is incumbent on business owners, landlords, and stakeholders to be self-proactive in subscribing to the Town Manager’s newsletter, Rec department updates, and other local agency newsletters, alerts, and even rambling independent blogs like the one you’re reading now or our Creekside Heart of Marin newsletter. We posted it, with links. So be it. Pay attention: life moves pretty fast sometimes. If you don’t stop and take a look around, you could miss it. Get more info on the 2045 General Plan project at https://sananselmogp2045.org > CLICK HERE and subscribe to our newsletter CLICK HERE, and follow the Town Manager’s newsletter > CLICK HERE
Posted 1/24/2025
FUNDRAISERS for LA Continue and come to a close at Creekside January 27, 28, and 29th. We hope you can come dine at Creekside, where 20% of your check goes to the relief fund > CLICK HERE .. and we have a big beer release night on January 30th at 5pm with “The Wicked” rollout. One night only.
Posted 1/20/2025
RETIRED AGAIN: Local resident, Yelper, and Marin’s People of Interest columnist Nish Najarada takes a step back from The Pacific Sun for Round 2 of fatherhood. “So Long, and Thanks For All the Nish” is his swan song column. Thanks Nish! We’ll see you at the pizza restaurant at the end of the universe. CLICK HERE
Posted 1/14/2025
LA FIRE FUNDRAISERS continue on January 21 & 22, and wrap up January 27, 28, 29 at Creekside. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who supports Phase One of our Dine & Donate program Jan 13-15 here at Creekside. Participation Information on our CALENDAR page here on this site. With so many people in need, and so many douchebags setting up fake fundraising accounts, and so many honest legit non-profit and emergency service funds, it is very difficult to decide where and how to help. We’re making it easy by donating a portion of our total sales to several identified hard working non-profit efforts that are moving the needle. More info > CLICK HERE. With our background in entertainment, music, and arts, we’re sharing our friend agency JAY SIEGAN PRESENTS website which lists some active fundraising for musicians, artists, and creative through niche need groups. Thanks Jay for sharing THIS LINK at JSP > CLICK HERE
Posted 1/13/2025
CAFE IN THE WORKS on Greenfield Avenue at the former “Java Hub” which was once a Taco Bell many many years ago.. next to Kris Kelson’s State Farm office. The “Leased” sign on the building for the past year is apparently reserved for the forthcoming “Cafe Reveille” … a group that has several locations in SF and one in Berkeley; bowls, burgers, salads, falafel, smoothies, juices, and coffee. Unknown status as to when anything will get rolling in their Greenfield Ave location, but that’s what we hear on the street. More on them: CLICK HERE
Posted 1/10/2025
NEW IRISH PUB in San Rafael at 925 4th Street (next to Joe’s) is now open. THE BURREN HOUSE does not disappoint. Named for the rock coast of Burren, Ireland, the space is a beautiful traditional Irish public house, with bar and all woodwork curated and shipped for this new venture. Good stuff. BH on IG: CLICK HERE
Posted 1/5/2025
NEW > BUBBALA’S JEWISH DELI: Now in full swing after a November soft opening, Bubbala’s Deli is serving up tradition Jewish deli classics every day. Located at Red Hill Shopping Center in the former Vine’s and “Jillie’s Wine Bar” near Pete’s Coffee, pastries, sandwiches (corned beef, brisket, pastrami, turkey, chicken) et al, are crowd pleasers. These guys had a long haul getting open, so give them a try. Visit their website CLICK HERE and follow them on Instagram CLICK HERE
Posted 12/22/2024
WELCOME REDWOOD CREDIT UNION: New at Red Hill in the former Chase Bank, former Union Bank location, is now Redwood CU, offering full service banking and eliminating the nightmare of parking and lines at their Montecito location. Full service banking, loans, auto, etc. RCU is known for their community programs and member services > CLICK HERE
Posted 12/20/2024
KIENTZ HALL CLOSES: They say Tragedies come in threes, so hopefully this is the end of bad news here in town as KIENTZ HALL announces their closure here in San Anselmo. Our only Rooftop restaurant, Kientz Hall opened and won Best New Restaurant in Marin, plus several other awards in their time here on the avenue. A fairly massive space no doubt comes with a massive rent and extensive staffing to cover the building. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the operators of Kientz Hall, Marc and Linda, who put their lives and money on the line, and to the staff of KH and their families… we wish you all the best. Thank you for your service and vision to our community. Godspeed.
Small family-owned businesses are the heart of small towns, driving economy and are the backbone of the local charm. Thank you for shopping and dining in your community.
Posted 12/19/2024
UPDATE: Word on the street is that there may be a buyer already lined up, but KH is now officially closed and a note in their window thanks the community and staff, and has an email address for any interested future partners. As of this post, KH website and Instagram pages have not been updated to indicate closure. Posted 12/23/2024
NEW FULL BAR PROGRAM: Taco Jane’s has recently upped their game in the local beverage scene. Now in their 27th year here in San Anselmo and a passion for exquisite tequilas and premium mezcal, TJ owner Matteo has loaded the back-bar with a full range of spirits and is rumored to be making new recipes for Mai Tais, Caipirinhas, Mojitos, plus classic vodka, rum, and gin cocktails. Look for the expansion of Taco Jane’s full bar menu now and in the weeks to come. They also have buckets of Margaritas to go. Visit Taco Jane’s on Tamalpais across from Creekside. To visit Taco Jane’s CLICK HERE
Posted 12/17/2024
BUS PAD UPGRADES: Town of San Anselmo Public Works will be …working.. on the The Hub transit bus pad, removing the failing retaining wall, removing over-growth and tripping hazards behind Creekside, Flour Craft, and Kuro Nami. It will be years before the Center Boulevard transit zone is rebooted for improved traffic flow; that’s a big project with external transportation funds, et al. The bus pad work will run into the first week of January.
Posted 12/13/2024
RETURN OF THE BATTLE OF THE BANDS: After it’s debut year in Creek Park, the Town of San Anselmo Rec department will be announcing the 2025 Marin County Teen Battle of the Bands for Saturday, April 26th. This was, by far, one of the greatest events in our town, with 10 teen bands from multiple schools, performing three songs of their choice, to be performed in 12 minutes, with a 4 minute set change between bands. Local celebrity judges included members of Huey Lewis and the News, Heart, and legendary rock columnist Paul Liberator. Registration/submission for local teen bands will be announced and handled by SA Rec in February 2025. Rock on.
Posted 12/11/2024
MARINITAS: Bounces Back UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP (1/15/2025 update). After they announced their closure in early December, people heard they were closing and returned in mass for dining to say goodbye and give support (that would have been helpful all year), Apparently the landlord had already helped find a buyer of the business months prior. So, after fleecing some staff and a lot of gossip confusion, Marinitas is open again under the same name with the New Operators of the two-location Ayawaka restaurants (Petaluma & Novato Peruvian focused locations). HOTS says they will continue the status quo menu and bar, and then begin to offer more of their other successful Peruvian fair, which make sense and will set them apart with a proven model.
Our best wishes to Pat Coll and his family and team on their continued adventures in hospitality outside of San Anselmo as they hand off the operations to the Ayawaka crew, or so we hear.
For Marinitas Instagram: CLICK HERE (nothing new)
For Ayawaka’s background CLICK HERE
SOUVINER: After 3 years, hipster space SOUVENIR BOTTLE SHOP (featuring organic wines, premium craft beers, and cool vinyl) is moving their operation under the VOYAGE name and location, their wine bar location at 500 San Anselmo Avenue (in prime corner location in the Cheda Building). The consolidation makes sense, and word on the street is that there are several suitors interested in taking over the Souvenir spot for other wine bar or retail operations in 2025. Now is a great time to get deals on wine and craft beers for the holidays as Souvenir liquidates their liquid inventory. Rumors of a similar “retail wine/beer” concept may take location lease in 2025. To see their message on Instagram: CLICK HERE
Posted 12/5/2024
DOWNTOWN VACANCIES: Dramatic rent increases by a single real estate investor has forced the uprooting and/or closure of Sugarfoot Books from their 50 year plus home (formerly known as Whyte’s Booksmith), Marinitas restaurant, as well as longtime established and locally owned TAM REALTY. Kira Swaim and her team remain dedicated to the community, clients, and excellence in Real Estate sales. Connect with Kira and TAM Realty online at TAMRealty.com
Posted 12/4/2024
FOODIE ALERT: In 2025, Leanne Battelle, food critic and columnist for the Marin IJ, will be launching a Marin-based Food and Restaurant website named after her popular foodie Instagram site, THE REAL DEAL MARIN (on Instagram @TheRealDealMarin). Website subscribers/members will be updated on new restaurants, menu items, and receive offers for select discounts and insider events. Follow on Instagram (CLICK HERE) and become an early subscriber for the pre-launch of The Real Deal Marin restaurant guide website: CLICK HERE
Posted 12/3/2024
AURYN THAI RESTAURANT CLOSES: Out of business without much notices, Red Hill area long-time Thai restaurant is permanently closed. New tenants will offer Breakfast and Lunch as “Pretti Platters.” Given the uphill battle of restaurant rehab and health department compliance, it will probably be late spring 2025 before Pretti Platters gets their go-ahead to operate.
Posted 12/1/2024
WOODS BEER COMPANY: All is quiet. Hopes of 2022, 2023, or 2024 opening have come and gone, as we look to 2025. Woods has several SF locations where they have focused their energies, while planning and construction of the San Anselmo location have proven to be… not happening yet. Plumbing has been installed, interior walls are rough-framed, but building a restaurant is a daunting, costly, and time-suck venture. Woods recently opened their FIFTH San Francisco location. Follow Woods Beer: CLICK HERE
Posted 11/30/2024
FAIRFAX BREWING COMPANY: Off and running to a good start with a solid grip on the local community, a humble approach, and open doors, Fairfax Brew Co is cranking out the brews in the former location of the Ross Valley Brewing Company turned Iron Springs Brewing, stumbling as HenHouse Brewing West County Pub… and now back to basic with local branding and …the Original brewmaster from back in the Ross Valley days, Larry Berlin. Most know Larry as brewmaster at The State Room in San Rafael, which is owned Alex Strickner and partners… also owners of the Flatiron in San Rafael. Good vibe, good food, on-premise craft beers. Soon to be on tap at Creekside, visit Fairfax Brewing Company: CLICK HERE
11/20/2024
SUPERVISOR COLBERT: A very long and surely nerve-racking two week post-election ballot count for the single open position of Marin County Supervisor ended in a narrow margin with Heather McPhail Sridharan conceding to San Anselmo councilman, Brian Colbert. Both passionate candidates, Brian has been a leader in the “Reimagining” of downtown Creek Park and and advocate for legacy, long-term future generations civic projects. Brian, along with councilwoman Alexis Fineman, have retire from the San Anselmo Council this December. Thanks for your service!
Posted 11/19/2024
KAMPAI! Check out San Anselmo’s newest restaurant (and surely to be award winning) KURO NAMI Japanese Kitchen in the former Sushi 69 space. Freshest fish, gyoza, rolls, soup, and sake at this beautiful space created by The Baan Thai’s Jackie Wave. Master sushi chefs Nina Simma and Yenni Soberanis are the twin driving forces behind excellent presentation, flavors, and classic Japanese fair in an upscale setting. To visit Kuro Nami CLICK HERE
Posted 11/5/2024
