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- 🧁 Sprinkles Cupcakes Update, A Sobering Station, and Street Safety
🧁 Sprinkles Cupcakes Update, A Sobering Station, and Street Safety
Find out about the latest business and county updates around San Mateo, plus tasty restaurants to try.
Greg Kemper
January 02, 2026
Good morning neighbors!
Welcome to this week’s San Mateo Scoop! We have exciting updates for you this week, including affordable housing, a sobering station, and street safety. Plus, business updates about Sprinkles cupcakes and the Vinyl Room in Burlingame.
Let’s dive in!
In this week’s edition:
🔨 County-wide updates: Affordable housing, a sobering station, and street safety
🧁 Beloved Cupcake Shop Closing: Sprinkles cupcakes closing its doors
🛠️ Business Updates: Vinyl Room in Burlingame gets an upgrade
🏪 San Mateo explores creating a sobering station
San Mateo is considering opening a sobering station to support people experiencing alcohol or drug intoxication. The idea is to provide a safe place for individuals to recover instead of going to jail or hospital emergency rooms. Supporters say this approach could ease pressure on police and emergency services. City leaders are currently evaluating possible locations, costs, and how the station would operate; community input will help shape the proposal. No final decisions have been made yet. Read more here.
🏡 San Carlos faces growing pressure to add affordable housing
San Carlos is grappling with increasing pressure to expand affordable housing options. Regional nonprofit MidPen Housing is pushing forward with plans to help meet state housing requirements. City leaders are balancing those needs with concerns about density and neighborhood impacts. Supporters say affordable housing is critical for teachers, service workers, and families who want to stay in the community. The discussion reflects broader housing challenges across the Peninsula. More public conversations are expected as plans evolve. Read more here.
🛠️ City Leaders in San Mateo are Focusing on Street Safety, Vibrancy, and Environment
City leaders in San Mateo are rolling out plans centered on street safety, community vibrancy, and environmental sustainability as top priorities. Discussions at recent meetings emphasized making streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists, enhancing public spaces for community events, and incorporating environmental goals into planning. Residents can expect future improvements that support both quality of life and a greener urban environment. These goals reflect the city’s collaboration with neighborhoods to create a more livable and engaging downtown and residential experience. Read more here.
Vinyl Room Gets a Makeover in Burlingame
The beloved Vinyl Room in Burlingame has recently undergone a much-anticipated makeover, refreshing its space while keeping the spirit that made it a local favorite alive. Updates include stylish new décor, improved seating, and enhanced lighting to elevate the atmosphere for diners and music lovers alike. Locals are excited about the refreshed venue, which continues to offer its signature blend of great food, drinks, and entertainment. This makeover is drawing both regulars and curious newcomers eager to check out the updated setting. Read more here. |  Credit: San Mateo Daily Journal  C Walters Design |
Sprinkles Cupcakes Closes All Locations
Sprinkles Cupcakes, the beloved bakery known for gourmet cupcakes and its iconic 24/7 Cupcake ATMs, has announced that all of its retail locations are closing as of December 31, 2025. The brand, founded in Beverly Hills in 2005 and once a staple in malls and city centers, became famous for turning cupcakes into a trendy everyday treat. Co-founder Candace Nelson shared her surprise and gratitude in an emotional social media post, expressing how much the bakery meant to fans over the years. Read more here. |  |
New Early Child Care Center in San Mateo Moves Forward
 | San Mateo is one step closer to adding a new early child care center, a welcome development amid a regional shortage of childcare options. The Carey School has proposed expanding its existing facility to serve children as young as age two, aiming to provide more families with convenient access to early education. |
This project could help ease the strain on local parents who have struggled to find quality care close to home. Community members and families eager for additional childcare choices will likely be watching the progress closely as plans advance. Read more here.
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Limón in Burlingame
Limón brings a modern take on Peruvian cuisine to Burlingame Avenue with dishes that blend traditional flavors and multicultural influences. On the menu you’ll find items like rotisserie-style chicken, Lomo Saltado stir-fried beef, empanadas, and seafood rice, along with Latin-inspired cocktails and wines. The relaxed, casual setting works for weekday lunches, dinners with friends, and weekend gatherings, with outdoor seating available on the street. Its blend of savory classics and small plates encourages sharing and sampling across courses.
Town in San Carlos
Town is a regional American restaurant located in a historic building on Laurel Street, serving a variety of familiar dishes like steak, burgers, fresh seafood, and wood-roasted chicken with a casual yet polished vibe. It also offers a selection of handcrafted cocktails, local wines, and beers, making it a versatile spot for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. The interior blends classic and contemporary design elements, reflecting the space’s theater-era heritage while keeping things approachable. Town tends to draw a mix of regulars and visitors looking for reliably prepared comfort fare in a central downtown setting.
🚂 Gilded, Thistlewyck, and Holiday Lights | Filoli | Woodside | through 1/11 | More
Tiny trains, big cheer, and endless wonder await at Filoli’s holiday light display.
🏛️ Free First Fridays | San Mateo County History Museum | Redwood City | 1/2 | More
Free admission 10 AM–4 PM with preschool “Playing in the Past” at 11 AM and a docent tour at 2 PM.
🎨 First Fridays: Art on Main | Downtown Half Moon Bay | Half Moon Bay | 1/2 | More
Galleries and shops stay open late with artist talks and demos—stroll Main Street and meet local creators.
🌊 January 2026 King Tides – Ravenswood Unit | Don Edwards SF Bay NWR (Ravenswood) | Menlo Park | 1/3 | More
Join refuge naturalists to witness extreme high tides and learn about sea-level rise along the Flyway Trail.
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