If Your Feeling the Impact of the Blithedale
Project Amidst the Critically Important Holiday Shopping Season, Please Read Below:

We've been in communication with you all in recent weeks around the East Blithedale project and its impacts on downtown during the holiday shopping season, which has generally been off-limits for major roadwork. According to DPW, while there have been some curb work around the former Vasco space and the installation of holiday lights on Throckmorton, the impacts have largely been centered on East Blithedale from around Pharmaca and into town. DPW says that PG&E "showed up and closed portions of the road last week without any approval or coordination, which is why there were multiple closures," and the contractor on the Blithedale Project has fallen behind schedule.
Per the Chamber's request, DPW will be deploying their electronic message boards on the eastern side of town, communicating 3 messages “PLAN AHEAD” “USE MILLER” “SHOP LOCAL” scrolling and alternating for the next 2 weeks or so. We are in touch with DPW. Please reach out with any concerns here. MORE INFO.

Housing, Housing, Housing: Council, Planning Commission Hold Joint Study Session on 1 Hamilton – Nov. 30

In a nearly 7-hour, marathon Planning Commission hearing on the Richardson Terrace project last Thursday, staff recommended commissioners to find that the 25-unit project is exempt under CEQA as demonstrated in the Initial Study/CEQA Analysis prepared by Lamphier-Gregory. Staff determined that no further environmental review is required and that the commission should approve the conditional use permit, design review, tree removal permit, and tentative map applications. Commissioners decided to punt that decision until a Jan. 10th hearing after seeking to explore alternative configurations of the project. FULL STORY.
With that backdrop, on Nov. 1, the City Council and Planning Commission are set to hold a joint study session on the 1 Hamilton Drive proposed development to: 1) discuss community feedback received at the October 13 Open House; 2) consider feasibility assessment from the EAH Team and 3) provide input on the preliminary conceptual designs and consider advancing a preferred concept to allow staff to assemble a planning application to fully evaluate building approximately 40-50 apartment units affordable to lower income households, including design review, environmental review and entitlement materials (ground lease, parcel map and rezoning of the site). MORE INFO.

Join the the 'Small Business Bash' – Thursday, Dec. 1, 5-8pm
Neighboring businesses along Blithedale, Sunnyside, Miller, and Throckmorton: Surf + Sand and Poet and/the Bench are kicking off a holiday event on Dec. 1st to celebrate our community. All businesses are invited to participate in the festivities. All the organizers ask is that you stay open later on Thursday, Dec. 1 until 8pm to allow for nighttime holiday shopping, eating, drinking and fun!

If you would like to help spread more holiday joy, feel free to offer special promotions, items, offerings, and/or services during the later hours for the community to enjoy. Send it out in email, on your IG… let’s magnify the spirit of creativity and community in Mill Valley! We would love to get an idea of who is planning to participate, so please send an email with a YES or NO to: [email protected]
Thank you! We look forward to making this a super busy event for everyone! Fun for the whole family. Date: Dec. 1st, 5-8pm. QUESTIONS? EMAIL THEM HERE.

Marin Theatre Co. Artistic Director Jasson Minadakis To Depart After 17 Years
The decision marks the end of a lengthy period of artistic continuity for an organization that has drawn plaudits throughout the Bay Area for rivaling in quality much larger production companies in the region. FULL STORY.

MV Lumber Yard Host Multi-Day Holiday Faire – Dec. 8-11
With the holiday shopping season fully upon us, the folks at the Mill Valley Lumber Yard are launching their first annual Holiday Faire. The event, which will feature live music, warm drinks, an array of holiday shopping opportunities, visits with Santa and his elf, various themed workshops hosted by MVLY retail and food tenants. FULL STORY.

Book Passage Delivers Holiday Books Ideas at OAC – 12/1, 1pm
On the hunt for that perfect gift for a book lover? ?You won’t do much better than a Dec. 1st Outdoor Art Club event, where Book Passage's Elaine Petrocelli suggest books for holiday gift giving. And if you’re looking to make those purchases without leaving the 94941, the neighbor-owned Depot Bookstore has you covered. FULL STORY.

If You're Able, Use Your Dollars to Support The Depot Bookstore, a Literary Treasure!
The Depot Bookstore is the hidden gem, offering up an incredible selection of tomes. It serves as the quintessential example of a business that flourishes when all residents of this incredibly literate town we live in supports having a bookstore within the 94941. FULL STORY.

Coho, a Sustainable, Seasonal Seafood-Focused Eatery from Piazza D’Angelo Owners, Eyes Debut in The Near Future
Mill Valley is laden with some of the best restaurants in Marin, if not the entire Bay Area. It’s about to get another gem in the near future. With Coho, a sustainable, seasonal, seafood-focused concept from Piazza D’Angelo owners Felicia Ferguson and Luigi Petrone, they're putting their imprint on something that seeks to add to the array of options in town. FULL STORY.

WINTERFEST IS COMING SOON – LET'S CELEBRATE THESE AMAZING SPONSORS!

Our 28th annual Winterfest, held on Sunday, December 4th in the Depot Plaza. It's a day of fun-filled activities and games, a visit from Santa, live music and entertainment, and tree and menorah lighting ceremonies. Winterfest is a homegrown yet sophisticated family-oriented community event, attracting 4,000+ attendees. It's a feel-good, not to be missed way to kick off the holiday season and promote your brand. We're incredibly grateful to our sponsors, including Malugani’s, Redwood Credit Union, Sweetwater Music Hall, City of Mill Valley, Dana Williams, Marin Conservatory of Dance, Mathnasium, RoCo Dance, Good Earth, Piazza D'Angelo, MCE, Gila Dorostkar DDS, Mill Valley Refuse, HighChi Energy Jewelry, Alexander's Artisan Rugs, Masters European and FastSigns in supporting this cherished event!! FULL STORY & INFO.

Joe’s Taco Lounge, a Mill Valley Institution, Turns 30 in Nov.!
For thirty years this month, Joe’s Taco Lounge has been churning out fantastic Mexican fare at 382 Miller Avenue in Mill Valley. One of the 94941’s most celebrated gastronomic institutions, Joe’s is built on the foundation established by co-owner Gabriel Leis’ inimitable late father Joe Leis, who founded Joe’s in 1992. FULL STORY.

Panel Eyes Richardson Terrace Determination Jan. 10
“I’ve been working on this project for 18 years,” local developer Phil Richardson said in a brief project introduction. "I'm 87 years old, and I don't want my wife to have to build this thing," Richardson said when asked by councilmembers if he'd be willing to consider alternative versions to the project he was proposing. FULL STORY.

Click here for More Information About Mill Valley Chamber Of Commerce Newsletter - November 23, 2022