Press Release

Woodlands Market owner Don Santa announced today that ground has been broken for construction and remodeling for the “new” Woodlands Cafe, located next to Woodlands Market at 735 College Avenue.

Woodlands Cafe, which will serve breakfast and lunch in the space previously occupied by Willy’s Cafe, is slated for an early fall reopening.

“While the permitting process has taken a little longer than we anticipated,” said Santa, who founded Woodlands Market in 1986, “we have been using the time to develop the kind of exciting space and interesting menu that our customers have the right to expect.

“We’re known for a high standard at the market. So we are committed to bringing that warm ambience, wide range of flavors and top-notch service to our Cafe customers,” he said.

Santa also announced that Debbie Gonnet, who most recently operated “Debbie Does Dessert” in San Anselmo, has joined the Woodlands team as executive chef and to manage the bakery.

“We’re very excited about having Debbie on our team,” he said. “She is an innovative and highly regarded baker. Now she’s involved in both the current operations at Woodlands Market as well as helping us create the menu for the Cafe.”

Plans for Woodlands Cafe call for a spacious interior seating and an outdoor plaza area featuring more tables and chairs.  The menu will include an ice creams “bar” as well as thin crust pizzas and a broad selection of breakfast and lunch items, using local and sustainable ingredients.

Santa also reiterated that plans are on track to open the previously announced second Woodlands Market location in Tiburon’s Boardwalk Shopping Center, in January 2011. 

Santa said that additional information on both projects would be available periodically on the Woodlands Market website (www.woodlandsmarket.com).