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- 🚧 Mall Renovations, Giant Pastries, & Your Weekend Plans
🚧 Mall Renovations, Giant Pastries, & Your Weekend Plans
A new wine lounge in San Carlos, a local cafe expanding, and official Hillsdale Mall plans submitted.
Greg Kemper
July 17, 2025
Good morning neighbors!
Welcome to this week’s San Mateo Scoop! Your latest local update is here, packed with news, events, and fresh spots to explore around the local community!
Whether you’re here for the latest events, new restaurants, or community updates, I’m excited to keep you connected and in the know. Let’s dive in! 👇
In this week’s edition:
🏗️ Hillsdale Mall makeover: Formal planning application submitted
🍰 Foodie buzz: 2 new or updated restaurants coming to the area
🎶 Weekend playbook: free concerts, sunset hikes, flea markets, & more
🏗️ Application Formally Submitted for Hillsdale Mall Renovations
The application for Hillsdale Mall’s major renovations was submitted. The construction, which would completely change the southern portion of the mall, entails demolition of 1.5 million sq. ft. of existing commercial buildings and garages, construction of 2.06 million sq. ft. of new commercial space and 1,670 residential units, 14% of which will be for lower-income housing.
If the application is approved, three-story townhomes will be constructed adjacent to existing single-family homes on the west, while 5- to 8-story multifamily buildings will be located centrally or at the south end. No timeline was given for approval, but we will keep you updated on any developments. Read more here.
🗑️ Trash Strike Drags On
Week two of the Republic Services - Teamsters walk-out still leaves Daly City, Colma, and Half Moon Bay without curbside pickup, pushing residents to overflow dumpsters at temporary drop-off sites. Talks resumed Tuesday, but with roughly 2,000 drivers nationwide off the job, Republic warns only “limited” collections will resume in the coming days.
County officials are demanding customer refunds while RethinkWaste scrambles to keep its Shoreway hub running. So keep bins out (or use the city dumpsters) until a deal lands if you’re in an affected area. Read more here.
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☕ Con Azucar Café expands to downtown Redwood City
Con Azúcar Café, famous for its supersized conchas and specialty Mexican coffee drinks, is expanding to downtown Redwood City. The new location will replace the former Cyclismo Café space. This marks a significant step in the brand’s growth, bringing its signature sweet breads and artisanal beverages to a new audience in the heart of the city. The drinks menu includes standard hot and cold coffee drinks, as well as specialty lattes in flavors such as Duvalin, horchata, mazapan and dulce de leche. They also serve refreshers in flavors such as jamaica-raspberry, tamarindo, and cucumber-lime. Read more here. |  Photo Credit: Con Azúcar Café |
🍱 Osaka Marketplace Coming to Foster City’s Edgewater Place Shopping Center
Specialty grocer Osaka Marketplace will transform the former Lucky’s in Foster City’s Edgewater Place into a one-stop Japanese market, stocking sashimi-grade seafood, fresh produce, ready-to-eat bento and hard-to-find imports after a renovation slated to finish ahead of a November 2025 opening.
City leaders say the newcomer will inject fresh energy into the center and give residents a high-quality, authentically Japanese shopping option close to home. Click here to read more.
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🍽️ Rouge Lounge just opened in San Carlos. Inspired by Parisian bistros, this warm atmosphere, European flair, and community-driven vibe with live music offers the perfect spot to linger, connect, and treat yourself to a relaxed late‑afternoon or evening unwind. Unwind on their cozy patio, sip curated wines (with 36 by-the-glass options) with seasonal small plates. |
Foreigner Cafe in San Mateo
Foreigner Cafe in San Mateo serves up all day breakfast and brunch with something for everyone! With a variety of decadent toasts, dishes like Mushroom & Gruyère and Avocado & Egg, hearty house specials including omelets, scrambles, eggs Benedict, and French toast. The menu also features creative croffles and crêpes, yogurt & oats cups, soups, chilled grab-and-go drinks, and an extensive selection of specialty lattes, teas, and mimosas. Find their menu here.
Peninsula Humane Society Pet of the Week!
 | My name is Greg! I am an 11-month-old, Pit Bill/Husky mix. I'm a growing boy and will likely reach 55-65 lbs. I'm a sweet young fellow who starts off shy. I might be the perfect dog for you - adopt me here! |
Want your pet to be featured as our subscriber pet of the week next week? Respond to this email with your favorite picture of one your pets and we’ll pick one at random each week to include!
🎤 Central Park Music Series | Central Park | San Mateo | 7/17 | More
High-energy dance-party from Pop Fiction covers Fitzgerald Field. Find food trucks, beer/wine garden & kid activities on site.
🌙 Parent's Night Out | Filoli Gardens | Woodside | 07/17 | More
Unwind with music, nature, and adult time while Filoli takes care of the rest.
🎵 Music In the Park Concert Series | Burton Park | San Carlos | 7/18 | More
Kick back with good tunes, good company, and good eats.
🎤 Foster City Summer Concert Series | Leo Ryan Park Amphitheater | Foster City | 7/18 | More
Get grooving to Motown classics Patton Leatha in a scenic outdoor venue.
🌇 Filoli Sunset Hike | Filoli Gardens | Woodside | 7/18 & 7/24 | More
Enjoy a beautiful evening hike through Filoli’s picturesque estate.
🦜 Happy Birds – Live Bird Show | at Hiller Aviation Museum | San Carlos | 7/19 & 23 More
Colorful parrots and macaws show off in an interactive 30-min performance. Perfect for all bird lovers!
🎠 Mobile Recreation: National Play Day | Lakeshore Park | San Mateo | 7/19 | More
Celebrate play with games, activities, and mobile recreation fun.
💪 Bay Area Fit Fest | Central Park | San Mateo | 7/19 | More
Sweat, connect, and recover with top trainers and wellness brands in the local area.
🛍️ CCF Neighborhood Flea Market | Redeemer Lutheran Church | Redwood City | 7/19 | More
Shop for treasures, vintage goods, and community bargains at this local neighborhood flea market.
💃 Latin Night Dance Party | Motion Arts Center | San Mateo | 7/18 | More
All-level Salsa & Bachata classes roll straight into a DJ-led social dance party till midnight.
🛍️ Head West Marketplace | South B Street | San Mateo | 7/20 | More
Discover local makers, artists, and sustainable small businesses.
📚 Paws for Tales | Pacifica (Sanchez) | Pacifica | 7/22 | More
Kids can build reading skills by sharing stories with trained therapy dogs.
🤠 Mobile Recreation: Wild, Wild West | Casanova Park | San Mateo | 7/23 | More
Western-themed fun for kids with mobile play and outdoor games.
🎶 Central Park Music Series | Fitzgerald Field, Central Park | San Mateo | 7/24 | More
More summer tunes in the heart of San Mateo’s biggest park.
How'd you like today's issue of San Mateo Scoop? |