I will really miss Tri County Produce when it goes away. I wonder if it could operate as a worker owned co-op if enough people were willing to fund such a venture, especially with the expansion of the space when the housing development is completed. I'm thinking of Rainbow Grocery in SF but on a smaller scale.
My wife and I had our first date there as well - about to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Enjoyed some tea & lemon bread at the arches. Magical spot indeed!
Yetz's bagels are the real deal. Boiled and baked just like New York. The owner, Daniel, is not only a good chef (can't wait to try the new deli items) but a real asset to the Santa Barbara community. For years he has donated food for homeless people once a month and, boy, do they appreciate his cooking and generosity!
Tri-County Produce's closing will be such a great loss to this community. It is unique in its offerings as an independent market, its amazing service to customers, its presentation of local goods. Yes, it was the very best place to shop during COVID, and still is. I pray someone takes over the reins from John DIxon to allow TCP to continue to be the best loacl market in SB!
Tri-County Produce closing announcement is a sad loss of a community gem. Some of the best produce and local baked goods, and love their fresh squeezed orange juice!
I live a couple blocks away. I think it would be an excellent location for a coffee/bakery!
Ah the good ole' days. If only it was the 70's again in SB. I sometimes daydream of those carefree times long past.
Yes, l live near the property and spoke to the owner/artist about them once. She was very proud of the fact that she created the pieces and it’s been nice to see them still standing after all the sad events that hit the house. First it burned down and then a very eccentric guy bought it and tore out all the beautiful succulents and agaves and put in crazy stuff like rose bushes. He was actually sued by the city for cutting down public trees on Paterna road. When he passed away the sale price was re adjusted and it sold pretty quickly. I was hoping that they would use the Neutra plans and rebuild the wonderful house that had been there but sounds like that’s not happening. Bummer.
For someone who is so judgmental it’s pretty clear you’ve never been to F&Bar. Some of the best Omakase experiences around the world are in bars. Have you ever even been to Japan?
I feel so sorry for the people who gave up the Victor the Florist space. The permitting process in the county/city feels predatory at this point. It’s nearly impossible to open a business without an extremely wealthy investor that you are beholden to that will pay your rent while you wait on permitting. I adore Santa Barbara, but my husband and I have moved away because we knew our dreams of owning our own business would ruin us financially.
And a Bob's Big Boy restaurant nearby
So sad to see Tri County go! Been going with my dad when I was a young girl and now I think of the amazing
Produce. Sweet carrots! Was the best pandemic store! Ocean view shopping. Loved the small batch farm meats. This is a gem. I really hate all the grocery stores with stale produce and meat.
The pony ride location at Garden and Cabrillo was named Don & Shirley’s Pony Rides.
There used to be a Golf N’ Fun at the corner of Hope and Calle Real before the car dealership was there. It had mini golf, skateboarding bowls, an arcade and I think batting cages. I felt bitter as a child passing by the overly bright car dealerships that took away our weekend fun.;)
The shed used to contain gardening/maintenance equipment like ladders and wheelbarrows, but has recently been emptied. The flat greenish structure is simply a canopy covering a reservoir.
I really liked reading about the Shady Acres park from before I lived here. For decades I've thought this town needed a miniature golf course, everyone can have fun playing putt-putt golf. And I've always been looking for a suitable site. That gravel lot in the FZ caught my attention but my first choice is just a block away. The site is next to the closed carousel house. (currently used mostly by unhoused individuals) It's perfect, plenty of parking across Garden street & Cabrillo blvd., the carousel building could be repurposed and leased to a local "family style" food business. At the East end there already exists a playground and the large grass area that hosts the Summer Concert series, among other events. Finally, it would produce revenue directly to the city, the parking lots, the fees to play, to the food and drinks after! Everybody can play! Eight year olds to eighty year olds. And I would love to work there being the greens keeper.
“Our hands are tied”
Meanwhile street vendors operate illegally all over the city.
Sad that the tenants at the Victor the florist space were unable to open. Would appreciate if the city would be more of a partner with the small business community, and actually try to help these businesses open! Having said that, that space would be great for an Italian specialty wine shop & cafe with a ‘La Marzocco’ espresso machine and a few bistro tables, they could sell some flowers too.
The city should be put on blast for Lotus Cabinetry. They lost $140k in rent. This is the third time the city continues to prevent businesses from wanting to open in town.
I think Shady Acres also had pony rides on occasion, too.
Shady Acres was located at 321 W Mason St and there was miniature golf, arcade games, ping pong and other games..
So glad that the owner of Yetz's actually looked at what was missing in IV and made decisions about the menu based on those observations. More of that in Santa Barbara please!
Just to be clear, the former Via Vai space will be a new restaurant from Luca Crestanelli of S.Y. Kitchen. So while it won't be officially related to S.Y. Kitchen, it will definitely share some DNA.
Interesting that Dudley thinks he can do it better than the restaurants that are offering it now. I’m going to wait a while and see if it’s something I would even consider. High end sushi at a bar.!?
