Linden Square: Change on the Corner

By Harper Halbardier '26 and Fallon Erickson '26

The start of the fall trimester on the Mesa has been nothing short of magical. From seniors bleeding blue on move-in day to peaceful moments captured in the backcountry, there’s nothing quite like the first few weeks of September at Cate. As the Cate community has made their way back home to Carpinteria, there’s been quite the buzz about the newest addition to Carpinteria - the infamous “Linden Square.” 

Linden Square has become the hotspot for Cate students, families, and faculty. Home to fan favorites such as Corazon, Tina’s, and Third Window, it’s easy to understand why everyone’s wallets have been looking particularly bare.

Beyond its foodie appeal, Linden Square has had quite the impact on this little town. We love supporting smaller businesses like the beloved Siam Elephant, Tacos Don Rogue, Lucky Llama, and more. Still, when there are multiple chain restaurants in one nice shopping center (Linden Square), it’s tempting to continue to go back again and again. 

After asking Cate students what they think of how Linden Square is changing the landscape of Carpinteria, Aidan Free ‘26 gave us his insight, saying that he believes Linden Square is “gentrifying Carpinteria.” He adds that “the block is becoming much more upscale and chic, which has a place, but I don’t want it to move out the other local, staple businesses that we love.” Finally, Aidan told us that he does “like the good restaurants in Linden Square and the nice environment of it.” 

Like pretty much everything else in life, we are all trying to strike a perfect balance between enjoying this new space in town while also fostering those ‘staples’ that are near and dear to everyone’s hearts. Similarly, Fiona Pan ‘27 told us that, “Linden Square is changing the Carp landscape in good ways and in bad. It’s a lot of new space for people to build community, but I can see how it may also be disrupting ‘original Carpinteria.’ But the restaurants are amazing, and it works well in that area. Personally, I really like it, and I think it’s a really neat place for Cate students to hang out.” It’s evident that Linden Square is causing quite the uproar, both positively and negatively. 

Girl’s Varsity Volleyball Head Coach, Jordan Dyer, says his favorite restaurant in Linden Square is “Third Window, obviously. Best smash burgers in the county.” Dyer adds, “as someone who’s only been in downtown Carpinteria a few times, it doesn’t really fit in. It’s setting a new tone for Carp. It’s the future for Carp. It is Carp. The real question is: is Carp ready for Linden Square?” Coach Dyer’s point is a fascinating one. Sure, Linden Square has won the Carp community over with its awesome dining, but long-term, what does adding places like Linden Square to Carp really mean? 

As the leaves begin to turn and the routine of the fall trimester begins to set in, there is most definitely a change in the air - both on the Mesa and in Carp. Linden Square has quickly woven itself into daily lives, offering us new spaces to eat and connect. With this new excitement comes important controversies and conversations, really, moments to grow our connections and community. Whether you’re grabbing a square slice of pizza at Tina’s or an acai bowl at Lucky Llama, it’s up to us to make thoughtful choices, supporting both the new and the old. After all, the heart of Carp lies in the community of people and businesses that make it up, our Ram Fam being one of the largest contributors; it’s our shared responsibility to keep that heart beating strong.