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🏘️ Town Planning, New Businesses, and Renowned Restaurants

🏘️ Town Planning, New Businesses, and Renowned Restaurants

Woodside city planning, new businesses, foodie events, and your weekend plans

Greg Kemper
September 04, 2025

Good morning neighbors!

Welcome to this week’s Palo Alto Scoop!

In this week’s newsletter, learn more about Woodside city planning, discover new businesses in the area, and see a variety of local events to fill your week!

Let’s dive in! 👇

In this week’s edition:

🏘️ Woodside Town Planning: The city’s plans to revitalize downtown

🐈 Mini Cat Town: the new place you can go hangout with cats

🎸 Family-friendly fun: outdoor movies, foodie events, summer concerts, floral design classes, and more

🏘️ Woodside Initiates Town Center Plan Update

Woodside has commenced the first committee meeting to update its town center plan, aiming to revitalize the area while preserving its unique character. The committee will gather community input to ensure the updated plan reflects the needs and desires of residents.

Discussions will focus on enhancing public spaces, improving infrastructure, and supporting local businesses. The town is committed to a collaborative approach in shaping its future. Read more here.

🧪 Chemical Spill Disrupts Traffic on I-280 in Los Altos Hills

A chemical spill on Interstate 280 in Los Altos Hills caused significant traffic delays as emergency crews worked to contain the situation. The spill, which occurred during peak hours, led to lane closures and detours. Authorities have since cleared the area, and normal traffic flow was restored. The incident highlights the importance of swift response to environmental hazards to ensure public safety. Read more here.

🚴🏼‍♀️ New Bike Lanes on El Camino Affect Local Businesses

The installation of new bike lanes along El Camino Real in Palo Alto has led to mixed reactions from local businesses. While the initiative aims to promote cycling and reduce traffic congestion, some business owners report a decline in foot traffic and sales.

City officials are engaging with the business community to address concerns and explore potential adjustments to the plan. The goal is to balance sustainable transportation with the economic vitality of local enterprises. Read more here.

Mini Cat Town Grand Opening

Mini Cat Town, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and rehoming kittens, has opened a new adoption center at 429 California Avenue in Palo Alto. This location, which opened in August, follows a successful 10-month pop-up at the Stanford Shopping Center. Visitors can enjoy 30-minute sessions interacting with adoptable kittens, with admission priced at $15 per session, the proceeds from which contribute to helping get cats adopted. The center operates daily from 12 PM to 7 PM. Mini Cat Town also offers opportunities for fostering and volunteering, welcoming community involvement to support their mission. Learn more here.

New Barnes and Noble in Los Gatos

Barnes & Noble is set to open a new bookstore in downtown Los Gatos, occupying the former Williams-Sonoma space at 122 N. Santa Cruz Avenue. The company is actively soliciting bids for the remodel of the 6,806-square-foot commercial space, with plans to revitalize the location into a modern, community-focused bookstore.

This expansion is part of Barnes & Noble's broader strategy to open 60 new retail locations this year, surpassing their previous record of 57 openings in 2024. The new store aims to enhance the local retail landscape by offering a wide selection of books, fostering a welcoming environment for book enthusiasts, and contributing to the vibrancy of downtown Los Gatos. Read more here.

The Farm

2450 Park Blvd, Palo Alto

The Farm is a vibrant all-day café near Palo Alto’s California Avenue that recently opened in June, offering a blend of organic coffee and wholesome cuisine. Founded by restaurateur Ismail “Jan” Unlu, the café features single-origin organic coffee roasted in Oakland by ALTimpact Coffee, served with housemade syrups in unique flavors like rose and lavender .

The menu includes a variety of dishes such as acai bowls, avocado toast, New York-style pizzas, and Turkish specialties like lahmacun and manti, all crafted with organic ingredients . The Farm also offers a selection of wines, beers, and mimosas, creating a relaxed atmosphere for guests to enjoy their meals. With its commitment to quality and community, The Farm provides a welcoming space for locals to savor delicious, health-conscious fare throughout the day. Learn more here.

Marugame Udon

383 University Ave, Palo Alto

Marugame Udon's Palo Alto location, situated at 383 University Avenue, offers a vibrant dining experience with its open kitchen concept, allowing guests to watch as their Sanuki-style udon noodles are freshly made to order. The menu features a variety of udon bowls, including popular choices like Nikutama and Tonkotsu, as well as rice bowls such as Chicken Katsu Curry and Premium Tendon.

Complementing the udon are a selection of tempura items, including prawn, chicken karaage, and vegetable gyoza, all freshly fried and ready to dip. The restaurant also offers a condiment station where guests can enhance their dishes with options like grated ginger, chili, and tempura batter pieces. With its commitment to quality and community, Marugame Udon provides a welcoming space for locals to savor delicious, health-conscious fare throughout the day. Learn more here.

Read more here.

🍻 Pub in the Park | at Red Morton Park | Redwood City | 9/06 | More
Enjoy craft brews, music, and food outdoors in the park.

🍐 French Floral Pop Up | at Hudson Grace | Palo Alto | 9/06 | More
Shop seasonal flowers and unique French-inspired floral arrangements.

🎶 Rock the Dock Concert Series | at Port of Redwood City | Redwood City | 9/06 | More
Free live music on the waterfront with a lively crowd.

😂 Comedy Night at Barebottle | Barebottle Brewing Company | Menlo Park | 9/6 | More
Stand-up showcase featuring Bay Area comics; show at 8 PM in the Springline taproom.

🧘 Chair Yoga with Patricia Becker | Rinconada Library | Palo Alto | 9/6 | More
Gentle chair-based stretches to loosen joints and boost balance & cognition; free, 11 AM–12 PM.

🐉 Magical Music & Motion – Fun with Fernside Dragons | Magical Bridge Playground | Redwood City | 9/7 | More
Dance along with inflatable and costumed “dragons” in a playful 11 AM–noon set for families.

🌱 Gardeners’ Hour at Gamble Garden | at Gamble Garden | Palo Alto | 9/08 | More
Learn gardening tips and techniques in a hands-on garden session.

📚 Lemur Story Time | at Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo | Palo Alto | 9/09 | More
Storytime fun featuring lemurs and animal-themed tales for kids.

🎶 Latine Heritage Show | at The Hub | Redwood City | 9/10 | More
Celebrate Latinx culture with live music, dance, and performance art.

🌄 Filoli Sunset Hike | at Filoli Gardens | Woodside | 9/11 | More
Take in Filoli’s stunning sunset views on a guided hike.