In this week’s edition:

🏗️ Redwood City Senior Housing: The 25-story proposed tower

📚 Books, Inc. Acquired by Barnes and Noble: What that means for the customers

💃🏾 Family-friendly fun: Dancing, food and whiskey festivals, and more! 

Harvest & Holiday: Your Local Pumpkin Concierge

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🎃 Custom packages: Curated pumpkin packages of 30 to 130+ pumpkins!
🎃 White-glove service: Setup & design now, post-Thanksgiving pickup later
🎃 Local & convenient: Serving the Bay Area, delivered by our local team!

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Books Inc Acquired by Barnes & Noble 

Subject to court approval, Books, Inc. will be acquired by Barnes & Noble to successfully exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy. They will still operate as “Books, Inc.” and be locally run. Gifts cards will be honored and reward points can be transferred to their new system. Operations and events will run similarly as before, with book clubs, author events, and community gatherings still being held. Read more here. 

The Little Store Returns in Woodside

A beloved Woodside landmark, The Little Store, established in 1902 and formerly used as a general store, gas station, and restaurant, has been revived after years of vacancy and even serving as a bread company’s test kitchen. Under new ownership, the space has been beautifully transformed into a café and flower shop that speaks to the heart of the community.

The talented Chef Sierra Hazel, with roots in acclaimed kitchens such as Birdsong and Charter Oak, is at the helm of the menu. Expect creative and seasonal dishes like avocado-feta toast, house-made yogurt parfaits, breakfast burritos with tater tots and salsa macha, and pastries from Manresa Bread alongside Hazel’s own homemade cakes. The café radiates rustic charm blended with modern comfort, painted pastel blues, cozy mismatched pillows, equestrian-themed accents, and outdoor seating under a wisteria-draped trellis, perfect for lingering over seasonal drinks like lavender matcha lattes. Currently open for breakfast and lunch (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.), The Little Store also has plans for evening pop-ups and aperitivo hours, bringing even more warmth and vibrancy to Woodside. Read more here.

State Street Market

State Street Market is a dynamic food hall houses an array of food stalls and restaurants featuring diverse offerings: from wood-fired flatbreads and seafood to tropical bao, fresh salads, ice cream treats, and handcrafted cocktails. Notable vendors include Bao Bèi, Ostro, Grains & Greens, Banks & Braes, Tin Pot Creamery, Murdoch’s bar, and others. Designed with both indoor and outdoor seating, the Market fosters a warm, family-friendly atmosphere. 

The 33,000-square-foot food hall transformed a former mid-century grocery store into a sunlit community space. Reimagined by architecture firm Gensler, the design beautifully blends Spanish Colonial design with modern touches and reclaimed materials, offering both charm and sustainability. It’s purpose-built for community: people bring their dogs, kids roam freely, and high schoolers are welcomed with mocktail specials, reinforcing its intentional inclusivity. Read more here. 

Sushi Roku

Sushi Roku pioneered the "sushi lounge" concept in 1997, blending laid-back elegance with top-tier Japanese cuisine. At its core, Sushi Roku celebrates traditional Edomae-style sushi while introducing vibrant influences from Latin America and Europe, like olive oil, jalapeños, or white truffle pesto. Expect inspired creations like albacore dressed with garlic aioli, arare, and wasabi-soy truffle, as well as playful rolls featuring ingredients such as yuzu olive oil and popcorn shrimp tempura. 

Sushi Roku is all about atmosphere. Its signature aesthetic includes stone accents and sleek design elements, creating an elevated but accessible ambiance. Tucked into the Stanford Shopping Center and open daily for dinner since 2024, the Palo Alto outpost brings Sushi Roku’s signature fusion style to Silicon Valley. The Palo Alto location reflects this with inviting outdoor seating, atmospheric lighting, and a lively sushi bar, making it ideal for both casual evenings and celebrations. Learn more here.