Ones to Watch in Carpinteria and Summerland
Must-dos in our favorite seaside towns
In our digital age, Lacey Petersen is focused on engaging two growing, decidedly analog subcultures. THE LILLIE debuted late this spring in Summerland as a haven for her fellow needlepoint enthusiasts and avid mahjong players. Beginning with the inventory of Ann Winn’s shuttered Village Needlepoint of Montecito, Petersen expanded her vision in the former Juniper boutique building on Lillie Avenue to create a niche arts-and-gaming clubhouse. The back area holds two mahjong tables, and an outdoor patio is also ready for play; the upstairs Airbnb unit hosts special events for gamers, crafters, and visiting needlepoint artists. Original mahjong furniture of Petersen’s own design (handmade in Texas) is present both for use and for sale, along with upholstered pieces by interior designer Sierra Muller. Petersen is excited to support local artists by commissioning original, regionally inspired needlepoint canvas designs. “Needlepont and mahjong are two very different things,” she says. “But they share the same goal of being calming—and offering community and peaceful fun.” 2474 Lillie Ave., Summerland, thelillie.com. J.R.
Sommerhus, at Atelier Sunhouse in Carpinteria, is open for the summer.
ATELIER SUNHOUSE, a creative studio and consultancy based in Carpinteria, also has a a seasonal shop that serves as a showroom for the firm’s services. The current showcase, Sommerhus, “is inspired by the Danish culture and tradition of retreating to summer cottages on the seaside and in the forest, where time moves slow and homes are furnished with simple, beautiful things, meant to last for generations,” says cofounder Julie Pointer Adams. “Sommerhus features heirloom goods for easy summer living, moving at the speed of nature.” ateliersunhouse.com. S.R.
Earth-toned symbols frame the doorway of COYOTE’S MARKET, an unassuming new grocery from husband-and-wife team (and Santa Barbara natives) Peter and Caroline Hernandez. The images, designed by Eloi Studio, signal a return to an older way of thinking: The market’s ethos is based on what can be caught, raised, and farmed in and around the Central Coast. The shop prioritizes locally raised meat, including from the Hernandez family ranch; wild-caught, sustainable seafood; and chic pantry items from neighboring artisans. Motley Crew sausages from Buellton stock the freezer, and filet mignon from cattle on the Kiani Preserve in Santa Ynez is frequently on hand. Strawberries from Frecker Farms in Carpinteria glow at the bottom of a refrigerated unit, while pottery from Wilder Ceramics in Ojai and Keymer Studio in Santa Barbara grace the wooden shelves. Need a bottle of wine for a balmy evening? You’ll find Camins 2 Dreams Grüner Veltliner, from one of the region’s acclaimed female winemakers, chilling next to a bulk tank of Luretik’s Meyer lemon field-blend olive oil. Pick up a loaf of bread, and your evening is complete. 4549-A Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria, coyotesmarket.com. C.W.
Helmed by Patrick Braid since 2016, MONTECITO GOURMET by Village Cheese and Wine has been a local favorite for decades. Following the historic Thomas Fire and debris flow, the café kept hungry fire and rescue crews fueled free of charge during recovery efforts and became a hub for residents. (The logo now features the lantern from the Old Historic Montecito Firehouse.) The newly refreshed space has an expanded evening menu in addition to wine, cheese, and deli sandwiches. Whether you’re grabbing a breakfast sandwich and coffee to go or tucking in for oysters and an affogato, the spirit of the place remains unchanged. montecitogourmet.com. C.B.M
Signature drinks meld herbal influences with high-end spirits at Arnie’s Rooftop Bar.
Restaurateur Arnie Sturham has joined the crowd at Linden Square. His sky-high spot, ARNIE’S ROOFTOP BAR, is the perfect perch. As the name suggests, the outdoor space serves only libations. But guests are welcome to bring up any nosh from the Square’s excellent vendors, including a slice from the Bettina spin-off Tina’s Pizza, smash burgers and Belgian fries from Third Window, and tacos and burritos from Corazon Cocina Sur. The eclectic cocktail menu, led by Trina Vysniauskas-Armitage, features old-school classics with new-school twists, like a lemon drop lightened with lavender bitters, a ginger mule spiked with pineapple, and a paloma dosed with rosemary-infused syrup. Most mixed drinks can sub in Lyre’s offerings for an nonalcoholic option, while seasonally draft beers plus local wines by the bottle or the glass round out the focused menu. Plenty of succulents and greenery bring texture and brightness to the space, which also boasts a fireplace for happy hours that linger past sundown. 778 Linden Ave., Carpinteria,arniesrooftopbar.com. C.W.
Photography by Sara Prince, Natalie Thomson, Julie Pointer Adams
