Santa Barbara’s Turnpike Mall is home to another new business — this time La Cantina.

This is the latest business endeavor for Chris Chiarappa, who opened the restaurant with his friend Jim Weber.

“Jim and I have been friends for 25 years and decided to open a restaurant together,” Chiarappa said.

He said the menu blends traditional Mexican dishes from various regions of Mexico with a variety of unique dishes not regularly found in Santa Barbara and is “served with a smile by a warm, friendly staff.”

The restaurant offers freshly made ingredients, cocktails, draft beers and wines.

The centerpiece of the restaurant is a large, 20-seat square bar with eight large-screen televisions, as well as outside seating, including two large patios.

“We love doing sports here,” he said.

The menu includes tacos, burritos and salads. They even have a special “high school” menu with lower priced but delicious options.

“Welcome to La Cantina, where New Mexican cuisine meets art and every dish celebrates rich, vibrant flavors,” the website states. “Located in the heart of our community, La Cantina is a haven for food lovers and culinary explorers alike.”

Chiarappa is the owner and CEO of the company. Santa Barbara Restaurant Collectiveincludes Mesa Burger, Lighthouse Brown and other restaurants in the city.

Radius Inks Paseo Nuevo Leasing

Radius Commercial Real Estate takes over retail lease for Paseo Nuevo.

Although City of Santa Barbara While it is in talks to build housing on Paseo Nuevo, retail operations are expected to continue unaffected for the next few years.

“Paseo Nuevo management is committed to preserving retail as a central feature in the mall’s future,” according to Radius. “Retailers now have a unique opportunity to secure short-term rentals, giving them the flexibility to explore this privileged location without long-term commitments.”

Commercial real estate brokers Miles Waters, Michael Chung, Austin Herlihy and Chris Parker are handling the leasing.

“By offering short-term leases, Radius lowers the barriers for local businesses to establish a presence and gives them an accessible way to test space before longer commitments,” said Herlihy, Radius executive vice president.

Retailers interested in leasing on Paseo Nuevo are encouraged to contact Chung for more information on leasing opportunities.

Pascucci Presents Local Appreciation Month

Laura Knight, longtime owner of Italian restaurant Pascucci“Tourists come and go, but locals stay forever,” he said.

That’s why it’s offering Local Appreciation Month through November 26th. The deal includes a 15% discount on lunch and dinner only. Pascucci is at 509 State St. in Santa Barbara.

The agreement is valid from Sunday to Friday. They may ask for local ID, Knight said.

“Come in and enjoy some really good Italian food in the heart of the downtown food district,” Knight said. “We can host large parties, we have indoor and outdoor seating options, and our patio is pet-friendly. In addition to our amazing Italian-inspired menu, we offer a full bar and amazing homemade desserts.

Loss of Downtown Retail

CVS pharmacy 1109 State St. in downtown Santa Barbara. address will close on November 19th. 222 W. Carrillo St. There is another one at .