Coffee in hand, Santa Monica? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
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In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: "How to Fix & Flip Houses" and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What is clean when it is black and dirty when it is white? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. TurboTax Plans 3-Story Flagship Store On Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade (patch.com) — Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade is set to host a major new TurboTax flagship, with two floors opening in January 2027 and a third floor plus rooftop following later that year. The three-story space at 1408 Third Street Promenade will offer year-round tax and financial guidance, host educational events, and create new local jobs as part of Intuit's nationwide expansion of in-person services.
2. Newsom Signs Zbur Bill for Santa Monica Coastal Plan (smdp.com) — Santa Monica now has a clear, state-defined path to finally securing its own certified Local Coastal Program, letting the city handle most coastal development permits instead of relying on Sacramento. A new law signed by Gov. Newsom also fast-tracks local bike, pedestrian, and transit projects that improve coastal access, with incentives if Santa Monica finishes its plan by 2027.
3. Santa Monica retail decline — Why LA's top tourist spot is struggling (koreadaily.com) — Santa Monica's downtown shopping core, especially the 3rd Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place, is struggling with rising vacancies, steep drops in retail and restaurant sales, and weaker tax revenues. A new RAND report links the slump to lost tourism, online shopping, and safety and homelessness concerns, while city leaders are pouring $3 million into events, fee relief, and increased patrols to revive the area.
4. los Angeles County Sales Tax Increase Takes Effect Oct 1; Santa Monica Rate is Now 11.25% You voted for it, and now sales Taxes in California will be the highest in the United States. (culvercityobserver.com) — Sales tax on most purchases in Santa Monica just jumped to 11.25% after voters countywide approved Measure ER, a half‑cent increase for health-related services. The higher rate took effect October 1, and local officials estimate a typical middle‑income household could now pay more than $2,000 a year in sales taxes, on top of recent hikes in city utility and parking fees.
5. Author Readings to Celebrate Release of Fall 2026 Santa Monica Review on Oct. 25 (culvercityobserver.com) — Santa Monica College is rolling out the fall 2026 Santa Monica Review with a public launch party and author readings on Sunday, Oct. 25 at The Edye on 11th Street. Local readers can hear work from emerging and established West Coast writers, buy the new issue, and support a nationally recognized literary journal rooted in Santa Monica's creative community.
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Ok Santa Monica! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What is clean when it is black and dirty when it is white?" — A chalk board (Thank you Charlie H. for sending it in!)
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