Old Orcutt’s Lark + Sparrow serving unique drinks in space crafted for comfort, conversation | Business

A significant portion of the growth, however, is based around new entertainment options including restaurants, breweries and bars.

One of the more recent additions to that growing list of establishments is Lark + Sparrow, located in a three-story mixed-use commercial building at 155 East Clark Ave., which opened in December of 2022.

Johnna Luney, and wife Michaela Buchanan, opened the unique bar — featuring curated wines and specialty beers — to bring something bespoke and different to the valley’s entertainment options.

That unique “vibe” has been built around dark walls, furniture picked from estate sales, Hollywood warehouses and even auctions.

“We just wanted things that were a little, I don’t know, a little different, maybe unusual, strange, just something that would inspire a conversation or a comment,” Luney said.

“We did a lot of traveling when we were younger and always found a lot of excitement and adventure in experiencing things outside of our hometown,” Luney said. “We’ve been in the wine industry for a really long time, and we decided that we wanted to bring a little something different here.”

Different doesn’t stop at the menu and the decor, as Lark + Sparrow also features a thoughtfully curated boutique market filled with vintage treasures and gourmet provisions, according to their website.

While Lark + Sparrow strives to be different, they have made sure to build their business around the customer experience. Whether that is the wine list, or creating community events and special promotion nights; ownership focuses on fostering a place where people can come, sit, relax, and just feel comfortable.

“When you walk in the door, you should expect to meet a new friend,” Luney said. “We have had so many amazing relationships start here. Just people sitting at the bar, enjoying a glass of wine or beer, and they strike up a conversation and the next thing we know they’re making phone calls to each other to come and meet here for another glass.”

To encourage people to find the growing gathering spot, Lark + Sparrow has added many new drink offerings including crafting two to three specialty cocktails a month made from fresh squeezed juices and house-made simple syrups.

Those creative menu additions pair well with the large, and smaller-scale special events that the business offers including the now annual Halloween and New Year’s celebrations that are held in partnership with Orcutt neighbors Naughty Oak and Old Town Wine and Brew.

While businesses can sometimes be protective of their space, and balk at the possibility of partnering with potential competitors, Luney said the relationship has been a big part of building a community of clientele between the businesses.

“They were here and were established, and they just kind of welcomed us with open arms,” Luney explained. “We share a lot of customers, and so it’s just about enhancing the community, building the community and realizing that you know, as business owners, we’re all in the same boat, and we can all do this together if we just team up.”

This weekend Lark + Sparrow is taking part in the Santa Maria Valley Craft Cocktail Contest with their special lemon cream pie martini. Stop by and taste the concoction, and maybe make a friend or two ahead of L+S’s “Battle of the 80’s” look-alike and lip sync contest coming up in April.

Learn more about Lark + Sparrow on their website, www.larkandsparrow.co, or by stopping by their location at 155 East Clark Ave., Suite 110.

See updates on their weekly offerings featuring karaoke on Thursday and live music on Fridays, on their Facebook and Instagram pages.