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🍽️ New Restaurant Opening in Burlingame
Plus learn more on the local Starbucks locations closing
Greg Kemper
October 08, 2026
Good morning neighbors!
Welcome to this week’s San Mateo Scoop! find out if your local Starbucks is closing and learn more about the new restaurant in the Old Post Office in Burlingame! Plus, we’ve got a great weekend lineup: drink beer for a good cause, plus we have the Fall Festival, Halloween Paint Party, and Kids Night Out!
Let’s dive in!
In this week’s edition:
City Updates: Local emergency declared after Spinnaker Cove Fire
Business Updates: New Restaurant in Burlingame, plus Starbucks is closing multiple Bay Area locations
Events: Beer for a cause, Fall Festival, Halloween Paint Party, and Kids Night Out
San Carlos' $3 Million Restroom Draws Attention as Measure G Nears
San Carlos is spending nearly $3 million on a new restroom and canopy at Harrington Park, on the 700 block of Laurel Street. That breaks down to about $1.67 million for the restroom itself and $1.25 million for a decorative wooden canopy, according to the council-approved bid. It's part of a $6 to $7 million park renovation that began in April, with construction expected to continue into next spring. Azul Works was the only bidder, and the city's initial estimate for the whole project was $4 to $5 million. The price tag lands just as voters decide Measure G in November, a half-cent sales tax that would raise about $6 million a year for projects including downtown revitalization, so expect lively debate about city spending. Read more here.
Foster City Declares Local Emergency After Spinnaker Cove Fire
Foster City leaders ratified a local state of emergency after the six-alarm fire on Aug. 2 at the Spinnaker Cove condominium complex, 815 Sea Spray Lane, off Hillsdale Boulevard just west of City Hall. The fire destroyed 50 units and displaced about 150 people, and the city also petitioned the governor for a state declaration. The decision came after displaced residents spent weeks pushing for one, while the city had initially pointed to low-interest disaster loans as a better fit.
The city cautions that a local or state declaration alone doesn't make residents eligible for FEMA individual assistance, and its SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center at City Hall was scheduled to run weekdays through Oct. 1. Affected residents should check the city's Sea Spray Lane fire response page for current resources. Read more here.
Burlingame Recovery Center Approved for Mahler Road
A 69-bed recovery center for people with substance use disorder will be built in Burlingame and operated by Horizon Treatment Services. It will sit at 826 Mahler Road, bringing sobering, withdrawal management and residential treatment together in one location. The county-owned site is about a mile from Highway 101 and was long home to the First Chance sobering center. The project is backed by a $25.5 million state grant and a $2.5 million county match, and it's currently in design with an opening targeted for early 2029. Burlingame officials earlier raised concerns about the site, including sea level rise and liquefaction, and Horizon says it plans to engage residents as the project moves forward, so watch for community meetings. Read more here.
Starbucks to Close Stores in Millbrae and San Carlos
Starbucks announced it would close 250 underperforming locations nationwide, and at least 13 Bay Area stores appear to be among them. Three locations that will impact locals: two in San Carlos at 1135 Industrial Road (near Best Buy) and 1187 San Carlos Ave, and 119 N Rollins Road in Millbrae. Starbucks says closing stores will post signage, and employees will be moved to other stores when possible or offered severance. Read more here.
The Old Post Office in Burlingame Grand Opening
222 Park Rd, Burlingame
The Old Post Office is a new restaurant that opened October 1st from Bacchus Management Group, the team behind Bay Area restaurants including The Village Pub, Spruce and Selby’s, opening inside Burlingame’s restored 1940s Art Deco post office. Executive chef Jonathan Granada describes the food as contemporary American with influences from Asia, Spain and France, drawing inspiration from classic 1940s restaurant dishes and French cooking techniques.
The menu includes options such as grilled Maine lobster tail, white polenta tortellini with Iberico ham consommé, crispy pig’s tail with parsley-root aligot and a signature dry-aged duck prepared tableside. The adjacent Postmaster’s Bar offers a more casual à la carte menu with dishes such as duck confit, roast chicken, salads and a burger, while the dining room features original terrazzo floors, brass teller windows and post boxes. The Old Post Office opened Oct. 1 at 222 Park Road, with dinner service followed by weekday lunch and weekend brunch later in October.
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We do our best to verify dates/locations of events, but please independently verify before attending as details are subject to change
📚 Outdoor Storytime with Lauren | San Carlos | The Reading Bug | 10/9 | more
Enjoy 30 minutes of stories and music right in front of the bookstore, weather permitting.
🪴 Fall Plant Exchange | Burlingame | Library | 10/10 | more
Swap cuttings, seedlings, and green-thumb tips with fellow plant lovers and take home something new for your garden.
🎨 San Carlos Art & Wine Faire | San Carlos | San Carlos Avenue at Laurel Street | 10/10 - 10/11 | more
Stroll the streets of downtown for a weekend of local art, wine, and community fun.
☕ Mom Needs a Minute | Burlingame | Growing Ivy | 10/10 | more
Take a well-deserved breather and connect with other parents in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
👻 Spooky Book Faire | San Mateo | San Mateo Library Oak Room | 10/10 | more
Hear live scary readings, play games, win door prizes, and snack on refreshments at this adults-only Halloween book fair.
🎶 Music Trivia Night | Burlingame | Burlingame Town Square | 10/10 | more
Put your music knowledge to the test with a trivia showdown in the heart of downtown.
🧘 Prana Grand Opening | Burlingame | Prana | 10/10 | more
Celebrate the opening of Burlingame's newest Prana store with the community.
🍯 Winnie the Pooh 100th Celebration | San Carlos | The Reading Bug | 10/11 | more
Join a hunny of a party with storytime, themed treats, a dress-up contest, and games like pin the tail on the donkey.
🌌 "Nightmares in the Starry Sky" Paint & Sip | San Mateo | Pinstripes | 10/13 | more
Follow along with an instructor to paint a spooky twist on a famous masterpiece, no experience needed.
📖 Grown Up Book Club | San Carlos | The Reading Bug | 10/14 | more
Join the monthly discussion in person at the bookstore or virtually over Zoom.
🧺 Grown-up Event: De-Clutter and Organize with Author Carrie Powell! | San Carlos | The Reading Bug | 10/15 | more
Get practical decluttering tips from the author of The Midlife Edit and make space for what's next.
🥂 30th Anniversary Celebration and Mixer | Burlingame | Marlinda's Mod Skincare | 10/15 | more
Toast three decades of Marlinda's Mod Skincare with a festive evening of mingling and celebration.