Recent Comments

Precisely this. This feels like La Cumbre from 10 years ago and will likely end up the same way... empty of most flagship shops and underutilized by the community (ultimately leading to questions as to why this wasn't just developed into housing instead).

I personally like this project but you pose an important question that often goes unaddressed. When industrial is reimagined as retail or housing, where does the industrial go? Industrial lots house essential businesses such as those you mention and they're integral to the functioning of the community.

Why is it that Italian restaurants in town give the Italian name of the selections followed by the description in English. I thought the official language of the United States is English. But at La Unica, they seem to be saying to us: Learn Spanish. And then no prices??? Are you kidding me? Guilting me into paying a tip for no table service ....are you doubly kidding me? I'll pass on this arrogant, self serving non English speaking place.

The population of Santa Barbara is not SB Magazine. This looks like another out of the area developer spreading their desire to urbanize and rape SB of its soul. The Funk Zone, which will need to be renamed and “rebranded” still serves a purpose for SB. The remaining industrial land will soon disappear…Where will the warehouses, stone yards, carpentry shops, welding shops, yards for the tree trimming equipment, and artist studios go? The community still needs spaces for these services, but where? Sad.

I like the idea of the Stone Yard Building space — especially to cater to the growing tourist zone (formerly the funk zone). Sincerely! Like others, I do wish it was affordable housing, but it won't. Yep, I know how this plays out... And it will launch, much like Las Aves with a lot of cute, expensive shops and some high-end buzzy venture capital retail brands — and then it won't. Unlike Culver City (now) or previously Venice or wherever else in LA, I am just not sure the demographic of someone with a lot of new money with a lot of discretionary income is actually what's going on in Santa Barbara economically. Frankly, I think these projects are a bit too early — and will be too reliant on up-for-the-weekend-Angelenos and tourists staying at the Miramar or Californian. (How are those hotels doing with occupancy?) I think the "Platform SB" idea may do alright, but after the initial tenants leave, I guarantee it will look like the Mill for awhile and then actually fill with local businesses. On the other hand, I absolutely feel like the Las Aves is such a dumb idea for the developers. There's no parking. It's not a convenient spot. I know they're trying to fix the red algae bloom, but the bird refuge stinks — and the road backs up and sucks. And I see the dollar signs in their eyes for that wealthy Montecito crowd, but they're not gonna show up once Caruso swallows the Upper Village and does the same thing. I feel like we go through these waves in Santa Barbara. Big ideas that dream of a retail frenzy (looking at you La Cumbre Mall with your power move to lure in Tiffanys and Louis Vuitton to the extraordinary sound of crickets). And we end up with a lot of empty retail space. Am I wrong? Maybe one day, if we improve the amount of discretionary income residents have, we can make this work? Until then, it just feels like someone isn't doing their research on the real economics of Santa Barbara county.

I find it strange and a little annoying that the prices aren’t on the board menu at the restaurant. I get that a lot of establishments aren’t publishing them online, because of the ever changing food costs. But when you come into a restaurant, especially one that is considered “affordable” street food, you expect to be able to see the prices and add the cost Up quickly in your head (especially if you are on a tight budget). I hope this doesn’t become the new norm, along with screens being shoved in your face by the staff, guilting you into tipping at least 20% when the there is not even full table service! Eating out has become a joke!

Anyone who has been to the platform will love this place, especially if you love clothing boutiques where T-shirts cost $120 and candles cost $80. The only thing I can afford at the Platform is the Blue Bottle coffee, everything else is just window shopping.

Here’s a disturbing trend: landlords kicking out a long-term tenant to replace with a competitor. - South Coast Deli with Three Pickles - TJ Paws with Dirty Dog Wash - Stella Mare, most likely with another restaurant. This is a dog eat dog world.

Is Taco Roma going into old Little Alex spot? I wonder who will run new restaurant in Coral Casino? I assume everyone who worked there before has moved onto new jobs.

"Personally, I’m delighted it’s not more Spanish Colonial architecture, although the elegant simplicity will undoubtedly be affected by signage for the various businesses." A thousand times yes to this!!!! The way in which Spanish Colonial has become this default look for new construction in Santa Barbara drives me nuts. It feels like ANYTHING with white stucco and a red tile roof can get approved in this town, and frankly it can. It feels cheap and theme park-ey to me at this point.

I’m so excited to hear that Amy is taking over Sacred Space. Plum Good was one of my favorite shops on State and I’ve missed it so much!