Holiday Closings

The Town Crier spoke with Jennifer Fey about her new take-out restaurant in the Fort, Bamboo Bear. When we first visited in late January, they had only been open one week. Fey told us that during their first three days they completely sold out of food. “I didn’t know how many people were going to…...
A historic Idyllwild inn transformed into a stylish and inviting mountain retreat The Pine Tree Hotel is the new identity for the property formerly known as the Fern Valley Inn. It is the latest project of childhood friends Isaac Silverman and Tim Ensmann, whose company, Second Home Stays, offers a curated collection of short-term rentals…
The Crier sat down with Chris Perreault to hear about the new VisitorsCenter in the center of town, next to the public restrooms and cappingthe Mile High Plaza shops. Shane Stewart built the space after therestrooms were installed by the county, demonstrating just how quicklyand inexpensively things can be done when locals do it themselves.Stewart…
Ariel Hackney celebrated the grand opening of Merkaba’s Green Thingnursery Thursday, May 2. The name is a nod to Hackney’s first localbusiness, Merkaba, which she bought in December 2022. “It was among thereasons I moved up here. I’ve always loved Idyllwild, and always wanteda reason to be here. I loved Merkaba before I bought it….
The Crier sat down with Julia Graham at her new teaching studio, HilltopMusic Lab, in the Collective. Graham moved into the space just a fewweeks ago, but tells us that already, 45 students are taking lessons andlearning about music at Hilltop. Graham spent about a year giving lessons out of her home in Idyllwild,and taught…
Paula Castro opened up Waffleton Street Waffles November, in the VillageCenter Shops, where Atomic Cow had been. She offers Belgian and Mochi(Japanese sweet rice) waffles with sweet or savory toppings. Sweetsinclude fruit, chocolate, marshmallows and cookie crumbs; savory combosinclude Brie and prosciutto, manchego cheese and sun-dried tomatoes,smoked salmon and cream cheese. She also offers hot…