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🧁 Sprinkles Updates, School Updates, and Teacher Housing

🧁 Sprinkles Updates, School Updates, and Teacher Housing

The beloved cupcake shop closing its doors, plus updates to the Palo Alto School district.

Greg Kemper
January 02, 2026

Good morning neighbors!

Welcome to this week’s Palo Alto Scoop!

In this week’s newsletter, learn more about the new teacher housing project in Palo Alto, updates to Palo Alto schools campuses, and restaurant to try in Palo Alto. Plus, a beloved cupcake shop closes its doors.

Let’s dive in! 👇

In this week’s edition:

🧁 Beloved Cupcake Shop Closes: Details on Sprinkles’ closing

🍎 Palo Alto School District Updates: Construction and leadership updatesUpdates on the Palo Alto School District

🍴 Restaurants to Try: Greek and Italian food to try

📚 Palo Alto’s Teacher Housing Project Now Accepting Applications

Palo Alto’s long-planned teacher housing project is now accepting applications, giving educators and school staff a chance to live near where they work in a community with deep housing costs. The project aims to support teachers with more affordable, dedicated housing options just steps from local schools. This initiative reflects ongoing efforts to help retain and attract quality educators in the area by easing the challenge of living on the Peninsula. Local families and educators alike are encouraged to check eligibility and apply as units are expected to fill quickly. Read more here.

🍎 PAUSD Board Picks New School Board President and Mental Health Support Gets a Boost

The Palo Alto Unified School District board has chosen a new board president as part of ongoing leadership developments within the district’s governance. Meanwhile, Santa Clara County leaders have expressed strong support for continued funding for allcove, a youth-focused mental health and wellness center in Palo Alto that provides free therapy and peer counseling for students. County supervisors are discussing dedicated funding to keep the center operating despite broader budget cuts, recognizing its role in supporting local youth wellbeing. These combined efforts point to a community focus on both strong school leadership and expanded mental health resources for families. Read more here.

Sprinkles Cupcakes Closes All Locations

Sprinkles Cupcakes, the beloved bakery known for gourmet cupcakes and its iconic 24/7 Cupcake ATMs, has announced that all of its retail locations are closing as of December 31, 2025. The brand, founded in Beverly Hills in 2005 and once a staple in malls and city centers, became famous for turning cupcakes into a trendy everyday treat. Co-founder Candace Nelson shared her surprise and gratitude in an emotional social media post, expressing how much the bakery meant to fans over the years. The abrupt shutdown has left many longtime customers and employees reflecting on memories tied to the sweet spots that helped shape dessert culture. Read more here.

Blox Ventures Acquires Downtown Redwood City Block

Blox Ventures, a San Francisco commercial real estate firm, has acquired an entire city block in downtown Redwood City that includes restaurants, a movie theater, neighborhood retail, and office space. The 200,000 square foot property was purchased for around $46 million and represents a significant investment in the heart of the bustling downtown area. This acquisition highlights continued interest in revitalizing mixed-use urban spaces that combine dining, entertainment, and work hubs. Locals can look forward to more dynamic community experiences as the property evolves under new ownership. Read more here.

Palo Alto High School to Remove Portables Over Summer

Palo Alto High School plans to remove the portable classrooms near its quad over the upcoming summer, part of a broader campus update to improve space and aesthetics. The district says the portables will be taken out once the 2025–26 school year wraps up, with landscaping work to follow. While the greenery project may take additional time beyond summer, students and staff are excited about the change toward a cleaner, more open campus feel. This effort reflects community input on enhancing school grounds and creating a more inviting environment for everyone on campus. Read more here.

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Trellis Restaurant in Menlo Park

Trellis Restaurant offers Italian-inspired fare in a warm, comfortable space just off El Camino Real, with lunch, dinner, and an upstairs patio for al fresco dining. The menu includes a mix of pastas, seafood, salads, and seasonal entrées, along with daily breads and desserts that round out the experience. There’s also a full bar and wine list to pair with the meals, and the space accommodates groups and private events. Its relaxed atmosphere and traditional menu make it one of those steady neighborhood options where you can pop in for a casual meal with friends or family.

Evvia Estiatorio in Palo Alto

Evvia Estiatorio focuses on Greek and Mediterranean cuisine with influences from California ingredients, serving appetizers, grilled meats, fresh seafood, and seasonal salads in a setting inspired by Hellenic hospitality. The menu might include classics like spanakotiropita, grilled octopus, lamb chops, and whole grilled fish, complemented by an extensive wine list and traditional desserts like baklava or galaktoboureko. The interior has a cozy, rustic feel with wood beams and a lively dining room, while a patio offers outdoor seating. Whether you’re stopping by for lunch or dinner, it’s a place that leans into its Mediterranean roots without being too formal.

See more here!

🚂 Gilded, Thistlewyck, and Holiday Lights | Woodside | Filoli | through 1/12 | more
Kick off the season at Filoli with tiny trains, twinkling lights, and festive wonder.

🏛️ Free First Fridays | San Mateo County History Museum | Redwood City | 1/2 | More
Free admission 10 AM–4 PM with preschool “Playing in the Past” at 11 AM and a docent tour at 2 PM.

🎨 First Fridays: Art on Main | Downtown Half Moon Bay | Half Moon Bay | 1/2 | More
Galleries and shops stay open late with artist talks and demos—stroll Main Street and meet local creators.

🌊 January 2026 King Tides – Ravenswood Unit | Don Edwards SF Bay NWR (Ravenswood) | Menlo Park | 1/3 | More
Join refuge naturalists to witness extreme high tides and learn about sea-level rise along the Flyway Trail.