New fast food, new apartments, SMI store news and more

New fast food: Panda Express opened on Monday at Maxwell Village. The new Sonoma location offers both pick-up (inside), delivery and socially-distanced ordering inside with no need to call in advance. The chain has renovated and revamped the former Payless shoe store location. 19191 Sonoma Highway.

Sonoma Promenade: With hopes for clearer air, the City of Sonoma and the Sonoma Chamber will again host the Sonoma Promenade this week. Restaurants will spill out onto First Street East and the northern part of the street will be closed to through traffic from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings. A few more businesses are expected to participate this weekend. And in Napa, the Main Street block between Second and Third streets in downtown closed completely, full time, through the end the month for outdoor dining.

Stickers: The streets of Sonoma are now adorned with large (3-by-3 feet) bright stickers asking walkers to stay “6 bottles of Sonoma wine” apart. They were a city initiative and part of the Sonoma Valley Safe campaign, spearheaded by the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau.

Apartment update: Construction is well underway on 30 new rental apartments at 655 W. Spain St. The Oliva Apartments will start leasing in November and should be complete in early 2021. Six units will meet affordable housing criteria. There are six one-bedrooms and 24 two-bedrooms, with an average unit size of 1,057 square feet. The land was previously owned by the Norrbom family. Leases will be available at denovarents.com.

Partnerships: Harvey's Gourmet Donuts in Sonoma is looking for food businesses, food trucks or food booths in need of a space to sell and serve their food. Owner Harvey Cohen has a great outdoor space that can fit one to two additional food businesses per day. The donut operation is currently open Thursday through Saturday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Email harveysdonuts@Yahoo.com. 19030 Railroad Ave.

SMI news: The Sonoma Store (formerly known as the Spa Boutique) at Sonoma Mission Inn is reopening. The store carries resort attire, skin care products, jewelry and gifts. It is open Fridays and Saturdays, 4 to 8 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In other news from SMI, day passes are now available and the resort’s new CaliForno food truck serves “Wine Country Street Eats” Thursday through Saturday starting at 5 p.m. and Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

New board member: Dario Aguilar has joined the Teen Services Board. Aguilar worked with Verity and Social Advocates for Youth as a job development coordinator before joining the Nelson Staffing team. He recently started HYPE Print Lab (Helping Young People Excel) which is a social enterprise that specializes in printing custom apparel.

Two units for sale: A two-house parcel on .34 acre at 887 First St. W. is for sale for $1.175 million. The main home has 3 bedrooms, 1 bath and a large fenced yard. The second home is a 2 bedroom, 1 bath with a garage. The property is located behind Jack’s Filling Station property near MacArthur. The listing company is Live Lux Places.

Congratulations: Big congrats to Corner 103 which was voted the Best Tasting Room in the US by USA Today readers. Learn more at 10best.com.

And congratulations to Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance board member Brenae Royal, vineyard manager of Monte Rosso Vineyard, E. & J. Gallo Winery on being featured in Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 Tastemakers of 2020! winemag.com/40-under-40-2020.

People’s Choice: Sonoma Valley People's Choice Awards 2020 voting is going on now across three major categories: professionals and specialists, businesses, and food and drink. Voting ends at midnight on Sunday, Sept. 13 at sonomanews.com.

Contact Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.