••• The owners of The Grand on State, bringing “an elevated culinary experience paired with the soulful sounds of jazz” at 1218 State Street (Anapamu/Victoria), sent over an update: “We are still waiting for some licenses and hoping to open by the end of January. Until then we open our doors for first Thursdays, to connect with the community. And we are currently offering the space for rent for private events.”
••• The Isla Vista Food Coop Downtown Market at 1533 State Street will close on December 26 and “transition back to Cantwell’s Market & Deli.”
••• R. sent in a report on the Ghirardelli store at 509 State Street (Haley/Cota): “It looks beautiful, and totally ready to open the doors. I spoke with a woman who I assume was the manager and she said they now have a firm opening date of December 20. Besides the retail aspect of the store, they have a menu of 20 sundaes and shakes.”
••• Travis Collins, franchisee of the Chick-fil-A location on upper State, says he doesn’t know anything about the status of the outpost proposed for 4765 Calle Real (at Turnpike) in Noleta—the corporation apparently handles all real estate deals, permitting and processes. Chick-fil-A’s PR company blew off my query with a fatuous response, but the county’s Planning & Development division, meanwhile, confirmed that the application has been deemed complete, but a hearing date has yet to be set…