In social media posts yesterday, upscale grocer Erewhon announced that it’s “coming soon” to Santa Barbara—along with 19 other cities around the U.S. The company didn’t specify exactly where it intends to open here, and only after I asked everyone I know who might know did Erewhon walk back the post. As Parade explains:
They originally captioned the post, “A taste of Erewhon in your city. Coming soon,” which fans immediately took to mean that stores would be opening up in all of those cities for the first time. […] Unfortunately, that’s not quite the case, as the store quickly changed the caption to clarify: “A Taste of Erewhon Shipping to Your City. Coming soon.” The addition of “shipping” means customers across the country will likely be able to order select items to their homes if they live in metropolitan areas.
Oops. But assuming the company does still intend to grace our city someday, as it has long stated, let’s break down the rumored locations….
The Funk Zone has long been at the top of Erewhon’s list, and the first spot I recall hearing about was for the block bordered by Yanonali, Santa Barbara, Mason and Gray. There’s certainly space along Gray Avenue—although it requires construction of a new building—along with plenty of public parking, both on the south side of the block and in the city lot at Garden and Cabrillo. (How will people feel about paying to park to go to a grocery store?) Getting delivery trucks in and out of the Funk Zone might not be the easiest task, however.
At the nearby corner of Garden and Yanonali, a large commercial development once called Platform, as in a sister to the complex in Culver City, is inching its way through the city’s permitting process. When I last looked at the plans in January, none of the retail spaces appeared large enough for a grocery store. A few could always be combined, of course, or Erewhon might have plans for a smaller store. (More on that in a minute.)
The only new-build grocery store actually in the pipeline is a 17,000-square-footer within Paseo Nuevo 2.0, which is just entering the city’s bureaucratic labyrinth, and where Erewhon (and Eataly) have been mentioned as dream tenants, along with a big gym, which would appeal to Erewhon. The truck problem exists there, too, however, as well as the question of whether affluent folks in Montecito, Hope Ranch, etc., are willing to come downtown on a frequent basis.
The most intriguing idea I heard was the CVS store on Coast Village Road, which is apparently in play. It has the main benefits of a super-prime location in Montecito—a client base that Erewhon has to be counting on—and both more square footage and more parking than you might expect.
Lastly, there’s the possibility that Erewhon will show up in some form at the Rosewood Miramar Beach or the Four Seasons Biltmore. The hotels have already demonstrated a lust for high-end brands—and could probably use more locals passing through, in the hope they might stop and shop a while. Erewhon, for its part, has just announced a smaller-style outpost inside a private club in New York City. “Less grocery store, more velvet-rope tonic bar” (in Time Out‘s words), it could serve as a model for something at luxury hotels like these.
P.S. Years ago, a representative for Tri-County Produce insisted that Erewhon was “not under consideration.” That was well before the new ownership was announced, but I see no reason to believe it has changed.
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CVS is a nightmare parking lot in Montecito. The Funk zone would be a ridiculous hip location as well. Actually, all the locations are absolutely horrible for logistics. but Erewhon is the epitome of white privilege an over priced groceries, perfect for the Santa Barbara crowd who hates their privilege, but are the first to Flexit. It’s also perfect while majority of people are struggling with the sheer cost of food, that such a ridiculous market moves into town. Maybe Meghan Markle the princess will be there to cut the ribbon. That would be perfect.
I am now envisioning cute stories on Instagram of people with their four packs of smoothies running into meetings from Erewhon OMG I can’t wait after all. I’m going to get a $25 smoothie and go down to the beach off of the Miramar and make a super cute little story again I’m envisioning a plastic cup with a coffee flavored substance with cream and sort of carob chips for the viral tick-tock.
Ah, here we go again — someone who’s never set foot in an Erewhon, suddenly an expert on what Santa Barbara “needs.” The irony is rich: railing against “white privilege” while ignoring the fact that people here are starving (literally and figuratively) for better food options.
Let’s be real: Santa Barbara is one of the worst food cities in California for a major destination. We’ve got mediocrity at luxury prices, grocery stores stuck in the past, and restaurants that coast on views instead of quality. Erewhon doesn’t make that worse — it fixes it. They have (hands down) the best hot bar of any grocery store in the state. Bristol Farms should honestly just shutter its doors the second Erewhon arrives, because that’s how wide the gulf is in quality.
And maybe — just maybe — with Erewhon here, we’ll finally get something resembling decent pizza instead of living under the shame of Rusty’s, which is in the running for worst pizza in the USA (cardboard has more flavor).
Logistics? Please. Trader Joe’s has the worst parking lot in North America and people wedge their Subarus in there daily for frozen cauliflower gnocchi. Santa Barbara thrives on luxury tourism, aspirational branding, and curated lifestyle. Erewhon fits the scene perfectly.
Nobody’s forcing you to buy a $25 smoothie, but don’t pretend Erewhon’s presence somehow hurts struggling families — Vons isn’t dropping its prices out of charity. Erewhon raises the bar, diversifies the market, and finally injects some energy into a food culture that’s been asleep for decades.
So here’s the deal: if you don’t like it, don’t shop there. But don’t confuse cynicism with insight. The rest of us will gladly trade Rusty’s cardboard pizza and Bristol Farms’ sad buffet for Erewhon’s hot bar, fresh options, and yes, the occasional green juice on the beach.
I agree!!! Take a trip and exoerience Erewhon. Then you will realize how much better of an option it is than the garbage we have here in SB. I stopped going to restaurants and grocery stores here in SB a long time ago. It’s either the farmers market or Erewhon in Calabasas. SB has the worst restaurants and grocery stores. SB is so overrated. I often think about how disappointed tourists must be when they visit lol. Yay, there’s an ocean.. but that’s about it.
Yes! My family and I visit the Erewhon in Calabasas approx. once a month. We return their mason jars, previously filled with excellent soup or nuts, for credit and pick up fresh cheeses, relishes, salads and gluten free treats. We appreciate the quality, fresh ingredients and customer service. I would definitely continue my membership at a store here in Santa Barbara!
I can tell you don’t get out much if you think our only pizza offering is Rusty’s and people here are “starving for better food options”… uh… Saint Bibiana, Revolver, Bettina… All excellent. The hyperbole in this thread is truly hilarious.
I second this!
you honestly think Santa Barbara holds any weight in the pizza conversation, you’re out of your depth. This town is a pizza wasteland. Rusty’s? Cardboard with cheese. Bettina? Passable at best, more Napa Valley pretension than soul. That’s the “best” Santa Barbara can trot out, and even then it’s running on smoke and Yelp reviews.
Now stack that against Los Angeles — a city where indie pizza is a blood sport. Pizzana in Brentwood is pulling pies that could make Naples blush. Pizzeria Bianco downtown — run by Chris Bianco himself, a man who literally wrote the book on pizza — is a shrine to the craft. DeSano brings wood-fired Neapolitan straight to East Hollywood, and Apollonia’s in Mid-City drops the kind of Sicilian squares people will knife each other in line for. That’s the difference between a scene and a desert.
So no, you’re not a foodie. You’re a seat-warmer chewing mediocrity and mistaking it for tradition. If you want to talk pizza with any credibility, you’ll need to drive two hours south — where the grown-ups are cooking.
Jesus. We’re a 100,000 person town. What do you expect. Log off and get some priorities beyond pizza. Go touch grass.
If Erewhon wants to rock up to town and can find an appropriate location for the sort of consumers apt to shop there, that’s fine. But we already have a surfeit of luxury markets—in my neighborhood, there is not much beyond Gelson’s, Bristol Farms, Lazy Acres and Whole Foods from which to choose. Those options are prohibitively expensive for ordinary Santa Barbarans (yes, we exist). We need a few decent ‘middle class’ supermarkets to return to our neighborhoods so that we can shop for staple items without spending thousands of dollars per month on ordinary comestibles.
P.S. I’d take Rusty’s any day over Domino’s. It’s a decent hometown chain and I support it wholeheartedly…what’s more, the beloved Milpas street location is soon to be torn down by a mega gentrification project: the usual luxury condos with a small number of below market rate units tossed in to satisfy the laughable ‘builders’ remedy.’ Approved by the city over the howls of the locals, of course.
Had reason to visit Rusty’s Goleta after a unplanned visit to Goleta Cottage ER- and the small pepperoni/small salad bar order was perfect! The place was PACKED, the pizza was delicious and the salad bar hard boiled egg/pea/spinach with blue cheese was to die for. The best part? The kids having FUN, the parents enjoying the beer and the constant yelling of numbers/pizza is ready!
You know people can get hot takes direct from ChatGPT now, you don’t need to copy and paste them on random community blogs.
Why so salty? Obviously you wouldn’t go there, but maybe others would.
But you’re right, we rather have another 99 cent store somewhere…
I spoke to erewhon president years ago and suggested the vons in the country mart but between the parking and apparently that the vons has a large and profitable liquor sales from that location, that wasnt happening. After decades little Alex’s wasnt deemed country mart worthy, the Vons has never been!
I’m very impressed that you know the president. Wow
Funny thing everyone forgets: Erewhon isn’t some corporate Whole Foods knock-off. It’s 100% family-owned, and a lot of those hot bar recipes you mock were created by the owner’s wife, Sera Melrose. So yeah — it’s closer to homemade than half the “local” spots charging $30 for reheated salmon.
SB unfortunately is a food waste land and has not even one option for decent healthy and organic food. Erewhon’s hot bar/juice bar would be a game changer and is so needed here. As an SB mother of 3 who lives in San roque, I am appalled that we don’t have any healthy spots here. Bristol farms and Whole Foods? Jokes- canola oil fest, disgusting. Lazy acres? Nothing is fresh!! Hot bar is terrible.
Erewhon is such a fun spot to meet up with friends for lunch or smoothies etc, so great and community-driven . Best vibes. I love shopping there because I always discover new small brands, they’re constantly featuring/carrying new small businesses that sell wonderful, interesting healthy foods and products. I always find something brand new when I go.
Everything is so fresh and high quality. It would completely transform any sb neighborhood it goes into a popping, exciting area.. we need it so badly. And it is so true that anyone who says otherwise hasn’t been to an erewhon they don’t know what they’re missing..
Ten years ago I got food to go from the hot bar at Lazy Acres. After a while I noticed an odor from the food in the ‘fridge. It never varied, always the same and I can’t describe it. . . These days on the occasional visit I walk by the hot bar and still get it.
Thank you, Marley!
Marley maybe you should move to Beverly Hills it sounds like your to good for our community. Please stop putting everyone down. If you don’t like it here just move it sounds like you can definitely afford it.
R.
The old ice company building on Milpas would be perfect for an Erewhon location. Close to Montecito and enough parking and space for a decent size storefront
Just $.02
I live in Pasadena but frequently visit Santa Barbara on the weekends. I spend a lot of money and leave.
These comments mystify me. I don’t know why somebody has to inject “white privilege“ into a discussion about a grocery store. The moment I read that it discredits the whole commentary.
I think it is fair to say that the food scene in Santa Barbara has really taken a dive post Covid. While Erewhon it’s not a restaurant, per se, many people use it as such.
The quality of the food there is excellent, but obviously you pay a premium for it. Whether or not it will survive, ultimately depends on the market forces in Santa Barbara. People vote with their feet.
If you don’t want to pay $10 for a smoothie, then don’t go there. No one is forcing you to do that. But business is charge with the market will bear.
You all spend too much time eating out and buying “prepared” meals at grocery stores. SB has the most incredible food in the US grown by local farmers. If you aren’t growing your own food then buy it from the Farmers Market on Saturday or Tuesday. Sunday in Goleta. Then go home and prepare your own delicious, healthy meals! Save a ton of money, too.
Some of the comments made me laugh because there were elements of truth sprinkled throughout. My husband and I are on the road often with a retirement job and I want to say that while we have incredible local ingredients available most of our restaurant food is truly average and unimaginative no matter how much is costs. We have had better food in both SLO and Paso. We get most of our food from the farmer’s market. That said, we had a creative meal at a new spot called Aegean, and we still appreciate the care at Apertivo. The food we make at home is so superior but I would love to eat out more but the quality and imagination are mostly lacking for the price.
Coast village Rd is actually Santa Barbara not montecito.
Pretty soon, East Beach may be ‘Montecito’.
Same zip code. Montecito borders are on either side of the street. Who cares.
Hey, hey, My, my! Siteline’s Editor really tries!
This thread kept you busy!
If I recall correctly, Jurgensen’s, a fabulous gourmet market used to be located at the CVS location on Coast Village Rd in the 80’s. I think our area could welcome an Erewhon. Is CVS’s lease up?
We had a Jurgensen’s in Solvang
The CVS location on Coast Village was once a Jurgensen’s. A very upscale market.
I remember Jurgensen’s well, Jack! :-)