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Shop Talk

by Palo Alto Weekly staff

A MIDTOWN 'DO' ... Monica Foster Salon at 2699 Middlefield Road launched its new name in the Midtown Shopping Center in Palo Alto in February, livening up the former DS Newman Salon by adding new furniture and a paint job of a warmer tone of beige with a gray accent. Co-owner and stylist Monica Foster said of salon clients, "We treat them like friends and want them to be comfortable." The salon features eight stylists and colorists with various fortes (cut, color, extension), using products by Sojourn, Rene Furterer Paris and Prive. They also provide the keratin treatment that focuses on smoothing out frizzy hair to make it more manageable. Foster said she plans to add three more stylists from Menlo Park to the current hair team. Makeup and facial waxing are also available.

BLOCKBUSTER CLOSED ... Blockbuster Video on 3990 El Camino Real in Palo Alto, which had been open in that location since 1999, closed its doors on April 10 due to the company declaring bankruptcy, said property manager Joe Jisser of TYJ Investments. The video- and game-rental store had a close-out sale prior to this date.

JAPAN FUNDRAISER ... Tim and Masumi Reynders, the owners of the Palo Alto Brazilian steakhouse Pampas, were living in Tokyo with their two children when the recent earthquake hit Japan. While they were able to escape, they "felt they needed to do something to help," restaurant manager Moritz Drost said in an email. On Tuesday, May 3, from 6 to 10 p.m., Pampas is hosting a Japan Disaster Relief Benefit; diners pay $50 per person and get hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Proceeds from ticket sales and donations will go to Ashinga, a Japanese nonprofit assisting orphans, through the Silicon Valley-based Keizai Society and its partner, Give2Asia, according to a press release. Pampas is at 529 Alma St. in downtown Palo Alto; call 650-327-1323.

NEW BOUTIQUE ... Crimson Mim, a clothing and accessories boutique in Los Altos, is opening a second location in Palo Alto at 855 El Camino Real, Suite 35. "I always envisioned Crimson Mim as a multi-store business," said owner Christine Campell. The store will feature apparel from designers such as Rachel Comey, ALC and Caron Callahan. It will also carry in-demand designers and brands that are not widely available, according to a press release. "Palo Alto presented an interesting opportunity to expand our customer base, while at the same time offering our existing clients a new closet in which to play," said Campbell. Crimson Mim is opening on May 1. For more information, go to facebook.com/crimsonmim.

Heard a rumor about your favorite store or business moving out, or in, down the block or across town? Shop Talk will check it out. Email shoptalk@paweekly.com.