New Wine Bar, Good Earth and Amazing Grace

Good Traffic for Good Earth

The new Good Earth store has been packed since it opened and there is no end in sight for the hugely successful new location. Big, clean, crisp, fantastic -- these are the words this writer is hearing about the new digs, and from what I’ve seen from the outside (and the great Patch video!) it is clearly a hit with more than a few.

I keep saying I’ll wait until the crowds disperse to hit the aisles, but that isn’t happening any time soon. Congratulations on a job really well done! Any business that moves in across the street can’t help but do well with all of the new traffic, and the soon-to-be Avatar restaurant will surely be among those. Wonder what will happen to the now vacant (but likely not for long) old video store. 

Loving Lincoln Park

I moved to town just as Chef Stephen Simmons was leaving Bubba’s Diner in downtown San Anselmo and experienced heaven on a plate. It is no surprise that George Lucas snagged him for Skywalker Ranch; I would have too. 

It is with a great deal of excitement and anticipation that Mr. Simmons will be opening Lincoln Park, where Dream Farm was on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. There are so many great things about this I don’t know where to begin. But I'll start with the concept that the kitchen will open its back door to local farmers and gardeners for their harvest in exchange for meals prepared. Now that is what I call keeping it local! 

Small plates and bites will be the general idea for this new eatery/wine bar and wines from the immediate area will be prevalent. Can’t wait for those doors to open.

A Quick Aside

Speaking of Skywalker Ranch, a friend and her young son were dining at Hilda’s last week for a special before school breakfast when Mr. Lucas walked in. This boy is a HUGE fan of Star Wars and all that goes with it, and was absolutely mortified that he was wearing a non-Lucasfilm approved “Let the Forrest Be With You” t-shirt from Brekenridge, Colorado. 

Goodbye Old Grace, Hello New Amazing

You might have noticed a new vacancy on the Miracle Mile in between United Market and Elan Fitness. The old Amazing Grace Music building has been torn down, and may it rest in peace as trees and nature are planted over its memory. The owners, John Pedersen (a Patch Person of the Year) and Judy Kaufman, moved into the beautiful new stone digs on Monday. The new doors are wide open, despite many things still in boxes to be sorted out. We wish them the very best in the new space and know that it will continue to amaze and delight music lovers for years to come.

Another High Tech Vacancy

Though it may be just over our Ross Valley border on the Miracle Mile, quite a few burrito-lovers were sad to see High Tech Burrito shut its doors. Fortunately, it's not a chain-wide closure, just that one location. The HTB in Terra Linda is still open. (Order the HTB with steak and vegetables.)

Also, Further Afield

If you’re a bargain hunter (cheap is a word often used) like me, then you’ll be happy to know that a TJMaxx has opened up where the old Borders bookstore recently vacated along Highway 101 in San Rafael. 

In this humble writer’s opinion, it is a step up from Marshall’s and a step down from Macy’s and just right for many budgets. You know I am all about keeping it local and I absolutely love all of our downtown boutiques and do everything in my power to support them, but sometimes a girl’s just got to get a great deal when it comes to shopping and here’s the place!

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