Commissioners OK plans for a new Starbucks in Davis
Plus, what’s on top of my wish list for a new restaurant, remembering a former Davis business owner, a new location for El Burrito, and several other updates
The Davis Planning Commission on Wednesday night approved a conditional-use permit for a new Starbucks Coffee with a drive-thru. The new store will be at 4525 Fermi Place, across from Target, filling the site last occupied by Chase Bank, which closed about two years ago.
The site was chosen because of its proximity to the Starbucks at 403 Mace Blvd., which, according to the applicant, is the company’s highest-performing store in the Sacramento region, and has frequent congestion in its drive-thru. Since traffic around the Mace Boulevard/Interstate 80 overpass is already problematic at times, commissioners instructed city staffers to do traffic-light timing studies at the intersections near each Starbucks to ensure adequate vehicle flow during peak travel.
Plans call for indoor and outdoor seating, and bicycle parking. The applicant doesn’t think it will compete with the Starbucks that’s inside Target. (It’s run by Target and just carries the Starbucks branding.) It’s convenient for Target shoppers but not a destination itself.
→ Renewal time: Many of you who signed up for annual subscriptions when I launched my Substack in May 2024 are starting to get renewal notices for my Substack. Some may get a notice that “Your payment for Comings & Goings was unsuccessful.” That’s typically an expired card or the bank thinks something is wonky. If you have any trouble, send me an email. Thanks so much for your support!
→ Make it so: I’m back from Washington, D.C., but still craving the yummy lunch options. Every time I go there. I visit two chains: Chopt Creative Salad Co. and Sweetgreen. I sure wish we could have a restaurant like this in Davis.
They both are huge salad bars, with menus of suggested salads, warm grain-and-greens bowls or build-your-own creations. They come in deep compostable bowls with a free side of bread. You can add a protein. It’s quick, tasty, filling and healthy.
Chopt’s locations are mostly on the East Coast, with a few in the South. Sweetgreen has more, including many in our Bay Area. The closest thing Davis has had in recent years is Pluto’s and Musette, and they are gone. Mendocino Farms and Urban Plates will be nice additions when they come to The Davis Collection, but still not the build-a-bowl concept that I seek.
I’m just putting this out there, hoping someone can help make it happen. It’s a model that could easily be copied. In fact, it’d be even better if it wasn’t a chain.
→ Another loss: Jenny Decker, who owned and operated the store Outdoor Davis from 2006 to 2016, died May 25 from pancreatic cancer. She was 66.
The store at 623 Second St. closed in August 2016 after new landlords significantly increased the rent. Starbucks Coffee is in its former location.
I got to know Jenny through this column. In recent years, I enjoyed socializing with her at Davis Odd Fellows events (even two camping trips) I attended with my husband, who is a member. She had an infectious grin that vibrated so much joy, even as she went through painful treatments and surgeries. She will be missed.
Pancreatic cancer is a brutal disease that’s very hard to fight, because symptoms show so late in the progression. I lost my mother to it when she was 61.
→ Expanding Burrito: The Davis-based El Burrito Taqueria just opened its sixth location – in Sacramento’s Downtown Commons. It replaces a Jimboy’s Tacos. It’s near the Golden 1 Center on the second floor.
Its Davis location is at 223 F St. It also has restaurants in Natomas, Del Paso Heights, Roseville and Auburn. It has great traditional Mexican food like burritos and tacos.
→ Orangetheory update: Last week, I told you that Davis’ Orangetheory Fitness was behind schedule, waiting to begin work. It forwarded me its Instagram post on Wednesday, announcing that construction has begun.
It’s going into the rear portion of the former Seasons Kitchen & Bar space at 102 F St. The front space is where the Japanese restaurant Show Izakaya opened on March 1.
“Phase 1 is underway as we start enclosing the patio and upgrading the exterior of our future studio,” the post said. “We’re one step closer to bringing the Orangetheory experience to this amazing community.”
Last week, co-owner Ray Bautista told me, “After that, we are looking at two to three months to build out the internal studio. We are now looking at a late August, early September date.”
→ Fresh carpet: In Woodland, Mojo’s Lounge & Bar was closed Monday and Tuesday for some repairs and new carpet. It reopened on Wednesday, and looks pretty spiffy! It’s at 428 First St. in Woodland.
→ Open for sips: As planned, Dog Gone Wine Bar opened to the public on Friday. It’s at 422 First St. in Woodland.
The bar features boutique wineries within 100 miles of Woodland that you can’t find at big-box liquor or warehouse stores. Hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
→ A decade of beer: Blue Note Brewing will celebrate its 10-year anniversary on Saturday, June 14. The free event, from noon to 10 p.m., includes live music and food, along with beer. It’s at 750 Dead Cat Alley in Woodland.
→ More to come: I’ll have another column on Friday, with news on a preschool closure and the impact of tariffs on local businesses. Stay tuned.
→ Business Tracker: The Davis Business Tracker lists the status of hundreds of Davis businesses. The design is easy to read and sort. It’s a great resource when you want to check on Davis merchants that I’ve written about since the pandemic.
– Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you know of a business coming or going in the area – or if you see a typo above – email wendy@comingsandgoings.news. Give a Comings & Going gift subscription here. If you’re on Facebook and Instagram, please like and follow.
So sorry to hear about both your friend and your mom. Cancer sucks! But I do like the idea of a salad bowl place here. Hope it happens!
Another salad place that I believe would be a great addition to Davis: MIXT. You can actually make your own salad!