Posts Tagged ‘shopping’
Marin IJ: Marin County Executive Derek Johnson is Proposing the County Create a New Strategic Plan, Its First Since 2001
When asked an open-ended question regarding the most serious issue facing Marin residents that county government could address, 31% cited housing, 17% homelessness, 11% traffic/congestion, 10% infrastructure/roads/street maintenance, 9% cost of living/inflation and 8% growth/development/overpopulation. “A notable share of respondents raised concerns about growth and overdevelopment, and I think this highlights an ongoing tension in Marin, strong concern about housing affordability, alongside a concern about how growth is managed,” said Linn Walsh, a deputy county executive. County supervisors’ current top six priorities are addressing affordable housing/homelessness, disaster preparedness, county infrastructure, advancing race equity, climate resiliency and community/economic vitality.
Read MoreOn the Heels of Multiple Planning Commission Study Sessions, City Council Will Dictate the Road Ahead for Loosening the Rules on Land Use
In prior hearings, food and beverage service remained focused on the possibility of Food Trucks. The updated code provides specific regulations that would apply to all food and beverage service businesses, even those without a use permit. These regulations codify the “good neighbor policy” that is often required as a CUP condition of approval for restaurants. By codifying these regulations, the intention is to reduce the need for CUPs and also provide clear guidance to businesses and staff. City Staff recommended 5,000 square-foot threshold for larger spaces like the former Rite Aid space, but not setting it too high. The Planning Commission felt that the size threshold should be 3,000 in downtown downtown commercial districts. Mill Valley Chamber: “There remains interest in and discussion of food trucks, though none more than Zorba’s at Goodman’s. Mill Valley currently has two very large, very empty historic restaurants, and maybe there is a business that might be interested in giving a food truck a shot and potentially eyeing it for a future brick & mortar business. Maybe that’s backwards thinking…but we should be thoughtful and not restrictive and keep our options open.”
Read MoreA Full Circle Mill Valley Moment: Despite Some Recent Delays, Tartine Looks to Return to the 94941, This Time at Edens/Strawberry Village!!
Famed baker Chad Roberston and pastry chef Elisabeth Prueitt started here in 1999 with the aforementioned Bay Village Bakery, closing it in early 2002, later going on to massive acclaim with their Tartine bakery. But now it’s official: the Tartine sourdough will soon be rising at the Strawberry Village shopping center in Mill Valley, as the famed bakery chain is expanding with a new Marin County spot that will apparently offer some exclusive items not available at other locations.
Read MoreEconomic Outlook for 2026 Indicates North Bay at a Crossroads: Economist Robert Eyler Warns of Stagnation, Structural Shifts, Uneven Paths Forward
The North Bay economy is undergoing a profound transition marked by stalled job growth, shifting demographics, housing market stagnation and a wine industry facing long-term restructuring. While the challenges are significant, a noted local economist said opportunities remain — if regional leaders understand the depth of the changes underway and respond with coordinated, realistic strategies. Robert Eyler, an economics professor at Sonoma State University and president of Economic Forensics and Analytics, presented his analysis. Using county-level data, statewide and national trends, he described an economy that is no longer behaving as Californians have historically expected, particularly in regions once seen as beneficiaries of pandemic-era migration. Unprecedented jobs plateau. One of the most striking indicators Eyler presented was California’s prolonged lack of job growth. “We’ve seen about a 24-month period in which we had zero jobs growth in California, which is unprecedented in the recorded history of California’s economy outside of recession,” he said. cross the North Bay, that stagnation shows up in different ways. Sonoma and Marin counties remain below their pre-pandemic labor force levels. Napa County has posted modest gains, while Mendocino County has remained largely flat. “The Bay Area and California economies showed encouraging signs of labor market stabilization in November,” Anderson told the news outlet.
Read MoreTransit Agencies Across the Bay Area to Begin Accepting Credit & Debit Cards – The Move Follows a Similar Switch by BART
Paying for bus, train and ferry rides across the Bay Area just became a little easier. Beginning Wednesday, riders on nearly every transit agency in the region will be able to use their credit or debit cards — rather than just pre-paid Clipper cards — to pay for all of their trips. The switch to the Tap and Ride system includes every transit system that had used Clipper cards in the past, including Caltrain, the Valley Transportation Authority, AC Transit, SamTrans, Muni, Petaluma Transit, the San Francisco Bay Ferry, SMART train and Golden Gate Transit.
Read MoreMarin IJ Editorial Board: The Future is Bright for Marin Ferries: Golden Gate Ferries, a Bay Area Public Transit Success, is Charting an even Brighter Future.
The Golden Gate Bridge board, which runs the ferries, is planning to spend more than $118 million to build two new boats that are faster and run cleaner than the older boats they will replace. The contract to start construction on the first of the two – a high-speed, 500-passenger vessel – has already been approved.
Read MoreMarin Magazine & the Hello! Marin App Are Celebrating the Hometown Magic Across Marin & Give Local Businesses Extra Cheer Along the Way – It’s the Perfect Moment to Help Our Communities Show Their Holiday Spirit!
We’d love your chamber’s support in sharing our countywide Holiday Photo Contest with your members. It’s a fun, easy way for businesses and residents to join in and a great opportunity for storefronts to upload photos of their holiday décor and encourage customers to do the same. Holiday Photo Contest: How It Works: • Download the Hello! Marin app, Create a profile and set it to public, • Open the Holiday Photo Contest tile, Upload a holiday photo from your town; tree lightings, lights, decorated storefronts, harbor nights, holiday treats, window displays, anything festive! There’s no limit to the number of photos a user can submit. All entries go into a drawing for one Grand Prize: a $250 gift card. The winning photo will also be featured in an upcoming issue of Marin Magazine.
Read MoreHoliday Craft Fair Featuring Dozens of Artists Returns to Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto – Dec. 6th, 10am-4pm
Join us for this festive event and enjoy some unique holiday shopping. The fair features many new and returning artists selling their fine handmade arts and crafts. There will be a wide variety of items to choose from that may include: woodwork, jewelry, glass work, ceramics, decorations, knitwear, fiber arts, plants and much more. Our beautiful venue and great southern Marin location, as well as ample parking, will contribute to making this a great fair!
Read MoreWe Turned 10!! Let’s Party – Celebrate A Decade With Us! Thursday, Nov 13, 4-7pm
We Turned 10!! Let’s Party – Celebrate A Decade With Us! Thursday, Nov 13, 4-7pm. A celebration of craft, connection, and ten uncommon years. When we support artists, our world is infinitely more beautiful! We can’t wait to toast to 10 years with you! Snacks by Playa/Corner Bar Chef Michael. Libations, including a No 10 cocktail by artist Nico Van Dongen. Sweets by Kate’s Toffee, New Product Launches + Prizes! Music Playlist Curated by Queen B. New Product Launch! Prizes! You help make our mission of supporting emerging and indy artists and designers possible! See you sooooon to celebrate!
Read MoreCalling all Mill Valley Peetniks! Don’t Be Sad – We’re Here for You! Starting November 4th at 7am, Sweetwater Music Hall’s Café Will Be Open & Proudly Pouring Peet’s. Café’s Open 7 days a week, 7am-7pm!
As coffee lovers can attest, there’s been lots of Sturm & Drang in recent months about the future of Peet’s Coffee at 88 Throckmorton in downtown Mill Valley. The Peet’s Coffee store in Mill Valley has been part of the company success that began in 1966. Peet’s opened its first Bay Area store in Berkeley in 1966 and the Mill Valley location was opened in 1987. Peet’s determined in recent months that the size of the 88 Throckmorton space no longer matched the customer experience of the other successful Peet’s shops elsewhere in Marin County. Rather than simply move on, the ever-creative folks, legendary Sweetwater Music Hall saw an opportunity to keep Peet’s in downtown Mill Valley.
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