By Kyla Skinner

It has circled into a full year that I’ve been writing these articles. It is an honor to write them and an honor to be in business in downtown Atascadero. July marked three years for my little optical shop on Traffic Way, and I’m so beyond grateful my dream was successful. Thank you for your support!

Familiar events we all know and love are happening this month! Starting off with Movies in the Park — at Colony Park off Traffic Way. August 10’s show will be “Wonka” and August 24 will be “Kung Fu Panda.” Bring your low-backed chairs and snacks and enjoy a movie under the stars. Movies start around 8:30 p.m. These movies always seem to benostalgic as summer’s last hurrah, staying up late before the school routine starts anew.

Live music at Atascadero Lake Park will be happening August 3, 10, and 31 at the bandstand. Bring a low-back chair or blanket and a picnic dinner — or food is usually available for purchase there as well. Bands play from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

And Cruise Weekend, a town favorite, is scheduled for August 16 and 17, an entire weekend of fun. Cruise Night will be held August 16 starting at 6:30 p.m. on the downtown streets and El Camino. A car show is held at the Lake Park on Saturday, August 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Atascadero Lake Park, followed by the 8th Annual Dancing in the Streets in the Downtown from 5 to 10 p.m.

With the construction taking place on El Camino, I wanted to encourage you all to still get out and support local business, even if it requires patience and creativity to find parking. I am very excited about the changes coming to the downtown; it will be safer and more beautiful to walk around, but I know it is hard for small businesses to hang on during construction. 

I’m always getting asked by clients about good restaurants. I did an Instagram poll recently and asked you to share your favorite food items as well as the restaurant. I wanted to share some of the items here as I was literally drooling with all the responses. People complain we don’t have many restaurant options here but this made me realize how many we do have!

Going to squeeze in here as many as I can:

  • Johnny Boys, the new Jewish deli — for their bagel lox. 5935 Entrada Ave.
  • Juice Boss for their Boss Wrap and any of their smoothies. 5940 Entrada Ave. 
  • Bramble Pie for their Shaker Lemon Pie and empanadas. 5945 Entrada Ave.
  • Barley and Boar — “Anything!” and their Bread and Butter. 5925 Entrada Ave
  • Streetside faves are Street Fries and cauliflower tacos. 6155 El Camino Real
  • Nogi Sushi for any of their weekly specials. 5810 Traffic Way
  • Mimosas and waffles at The Nest. 9700 El Camino Real
  • Chicken Shawarma Plate from Byblos Mediterranean, 5945 Traffic Way
  • Bahn Mei Carrot Dog from Wild Fields, 6907 El Camino Real

Hooray for downtown progress! I love watching things shift slowly as our town becomes more loved and accessible. See you downtown!

ATASCADERO NEWS MAGAZINE 

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