Grand Opening of La Plaza

Atascadero Celebrates the Grand

Opening of La Plaza

By Christianna Marks

On September 1, the City of Atascadero braved the heat to celebrate the official grand opening of La Plaza on El Camino Real. The building has been in the works for five years, with the Zappas family and the city teaming up to bring La Plaza to life downtown.

The name La Plaza was inspired by the first set of buildings the town's founder, E.G., Lewis, erected in the early 1900s that served as one of California's first enclosed shopping malls. In 1917, when the original La Plaza building was finished, it not only serviced the people of Atascadero by providing a vibrant hub of retail but also included residential living on the upper floors, which Z Villages recreated. "I'm hoping that the people of Atascadero can understand our history and cherish it, and I'm hoping this building will help bring that as well as the City Hall did," said Mike Zappas, owner of Z Villages, who built the building, in his speech at the grand opening. "It was a real big struggle to build this in the spot here. There was a lot of things that popped up and kicked us in the butt, but we just kept going."

Z Villages acquired all the lots needed to build La Plaza from February 2017 through June 2017. Five years later, the building stands tall, with La Plaza paying homage to the Atascadero of old while pushing the city forward into the future.

The bottom floor of both buildings is dedicated to retail and restaurants and creating an environment that will drive business, while the top floor offers a unique downtown living experience. "In 1917, there was La Plaza, the original La Plaza, over on Traffic Way, over by Fire Station 1," Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno shared in her speech. "It was a place for outdoor shopping with merchants, and this is sort of meant to mirror that with the architecture, the pillars, the high ceilings, and of course, it compliments all the architecture in our downtown."

The grand opening paid homage to the original La Plaza's 1917 opening by including the Atascadero Community Band, which started playing as soon as the ribbon cutting and speeches concluded. In addition, music was provided by DJs from Traffic Records and a live set from local band IMUA on the main stage. "In the past couple of years, the most common questions I get from people in town are, when is that building opening, what is going to be in there, what's the restaurant, when can we make reservations? On and on and on. That has been what's so exciting," added Moreno. "The growth that we've seen in our downtown, a lot of that has been because of the commitment and the investment that the Zappas family has made to the downtown. And people have seen that, and they have hopped on board and been a part of it too."

Moreno went on to say that having La Plaza in Atascadero is going to create economic opportunity for the entirety of the downtown.

The event also included over 20 local vendors set up along El Camino Real, selling food, drinks, and other experiences to everyone in attendance. Vendors included Hungry Mother Truck, Taqueria Don Jose, Mary's Cuisine, Colony Culture, Paradise Shaved Ice, Atascadero LIGHTHOUSE Coffee, CIELO, LOL Yogurt Shop, and Lou Lou Cheese Girl selling food. Wine from, Carbon 6, La Perdingus, Desparada, Herman Story, Ultima Tulie, and Lone Madrone. Beer from Ancient Owl Bottle Shop, Santa Maria Brew, Wild Fields, and Central Coast Brewery. Cider from, The Poisoned Apple and Bristol's Cider. SLO Axe Co., LC Clothing, Ametza, Earnest Grace, Peaceful Plants, and Off the Wall Custom Creations also participated.

Z Villages partnered with the El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO) for the Grand Opening. Proceeds from food and drink sales went directly to ECHO's efforts to help the local unhoused community and raised approximately $5,000 for the organization. "I can't help but smile every time I drive past this building and the finished product and how it just finishes off downtown Atascadero in such a beautiful way. You can tell it's a labor of love by a family that belongs to this community," San Luis Obispo County District 5 Supervisor Debbie Arnold shared of La Plaza.

Local officials in attendance included Atascadero City Council members Mark Dariz, Charles Bourbeau, and Susan Funk, Mayor Heather Moreno, Mayor Pro Tem Heather Newsom, San Luis Obispo County Supervisors Debbie Arnold, and Bruce Gibson, along with city staff.

For those interested in La Plaza or looking for more information, visit atascaderolaplaza.com. 

By Blake Ashley Frino-Gerl It’s Pumpkin Time! Where To Find Pumpkin Patches In North County

We are entering the fall season now, where the word “pumpkin” is popping up everywhere, especially in food and drinks. But we can’t forget where the true pumpkin lies — in a patch on a farm! In San Luis Obispo County, we are fortunate that there are many pumpkin patches for us to purchase that special pumpkin(s). Whether you want to go to North County or South County or want a pumpkin patch with additional activities surrounding the picking-out fun, there is a patch for you.

River K in Paso Robles is a family-owned and operated business by the Kunze family, and they have been growing pumpkins for 25 years. They also have a fun 3-acre corn maze to meander through and weekend hay rides for an added fee, according to Zak Kunze.

Customers are also given clippers to pick and cut their pumpkins. The patch is open October 1 through 31, and during the week, the hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on the weekends from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Jack Creek Farms in Templeton is a fifth-generation-run farm. It is open year-round, selling produce and honey, and offers what they deem a pumpkin palooza centering around pumpkin crafts and activities for families to enjoy.

Kids can enjoy playing with their wooden train and haystack. Their farm also features Happy Acres (paid entrance fee required). Families and children will enjoy their fort polliwog maze, tractor tire garden, farm animals, farmer’s market, corn bin, sand trough, storybook trail, laundry adventure, little buckaroo cafe, and more.

Jack Creek visitors can even get a Pumpkin Palooza “to go” kit, which is available September 16 and while supplies last. The kit includes one small pumpkin, one apron, one table cover, six acrylic paint cups, one paint brush, one paint tray, one cup for in-between paintbrush rinsing, one glue stick, and one bag of decorations. The Jack Creek Farms is open most days, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Chesebrough Farms in Templeton, founded by Bob and Donna, has been running a seasonal pumpkin patch for over 20 years. The patch is open October 1 through 31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and specializes in growing fresh pumpkins, squash, and corn, but also offers other fresh vegetables in season. There are plenty of photo opportunities on the farm, including at their old-fashioned roadside stand, complete with their “Pumpkin and Winter Squash Cookbook.” Also, for an additional cost, you can make an early request to artist Donna to scar a pumpkin for you next year — something she is known for around town! 

North County Pumpkin Farm Locations

• River K | 5670 N. River Road, Paso

Robles

• Jack Creek Farms | 5000 Highway 46

West, Templeton

• Chesebrough Farms | 790 Moss Lane,

Templeton