Any hint of info about a $30 million+ sale in Gaviota?
A peanut butter approach to ban all chains makes no sense at all… especially since there have been and there are currently several chains already in the center. Make decisions one by one to curate the space the entire community wants… the current state isnt working. A place like RH lifts all boats and local owners will thrive.
Hubby & I were fortunate to eat there tonight with friends and think we ordered 90% of the menu. Every dish was delicious! Some more spicy than others but the variety worked for all palates. Yum! Bonus was the wonderful sense of community — lots of familiar faces showing the love.
Sure, pass a law. That solves nothing. Freeze it in time and see how that works out. The market (property owners, businesses, and consumers) is alway better than politicians in determining how things ought to be run. To compare the Upper Village to State Street is not apples to apples. State St. is not a mess because of chains. If Mr. Borgatello wants to rent to chains because they will attract more customers, that's his decision on how to run his property--not mine, not Das's. As Mark Twain said: "'Taint yours and it 'taint mine." Leave it alone.
Are they going to remove the gas station, national real estate brokers, banks, title company and the hardware store too?
I suppose we should require all Montecito residents to only wear bespoke clothing and drive custom made automobiles too? No brands for you!
Small, locally owned businesses might be preferred (I prefer how they look), but in general, they can't survive. I love the consignment shops that still exist (although I can't find anything I want to buy). Other than that, the last ones standing seem to be the chain stores: Vans, Yogurtland, Tilly's, GAP, Old Navy, Marshall's, 99 Cent Store, Athleta, etc. Remember when Target was shot down? I imagine that it would still be in business if it had been allowed. No empty store front there. I think that the Aloha Fun Center would have been popular too. I wish that the City had been able to work out a solution regarding the extra bathrooms that were required. Their failure to keep an open mind and think outside the box has definitely contributed to Downtown blight. Snobbery doesn't help either.
I’m wondering if the word chain denotes places like Marshall’s and Target not Nordstrom’s (rip) and high end stores. SB has always had “chains” when I lived here in college there was Joseph Magnin’s and I. Magnin’s on State plus I think a Robinsons and a Barnes and Nobles was on State st for years. We’ve had big stores combined with smaller stores for decades and the Pierre LaFond empire has grown and flourished since the 1970’s. Things change and cities are going through big changes now. I’m just hoping the World Market (another chain!) hangs on and doesn’t close down. Probably don’t need another brewpub downtown…
The upper village shopping center (@ Tecolote Bookstore) is a privately owned property. The mix of offerings is up to the long-time owner (a wonderful local family). The buildings are not fancy but the are well kept and clean. The product offerings are quality, locally owned, personal and unique. This is local shopping that is a pleasure at every turn.
1545 Knoll Circle Dr. (charming 1950s cottage w/view)
SOLD without listing.
$2.7
The proposed project at 932 De La Vina Street (at Carrillo) 22 units presented an updated design w/in the past 2 weeks and it is much nicer. Approved by HLC with mostly 3 stories and smaller 4th story section set back from the street. Still 90% market rate housing, which will be expensive and not affordable to workforce folks,. And only 10% affordable.
Remember the outrage over Honor Bar (Houston's) — oddly, it seems to be well-received and part of the community now. For a company that offers two private jets and a yacht to charter, RH on State Street makes no sense. The Old Firehouse feels especially modest for the company, but the demographic of 2023 Montecito feels absolutely spot on. I wonder how much this is a push against 'chains' versus a fear property owners will sell out to Caruso?
YES. Chains ruin every community
I believe the article should have stated that the farm borders Los Padres. It's not in the forest.
The idea of banning chain stores seems a bit silly and hypocritical given that there's probably a sizable number of Montecito residents who have gained wealth from having investment in some form of "chain" or who regularly buy from chain stores. Let's not forget that there are numerous luxury chain stores. And the commenter who pointed out rent as the primary issue is 100% correct.
Siteline, thank you for including our new address and link to the Instagram page. We greatly appreciate the support.
Great story and looking forward to trying it.
The current state of the upper village retail scene is pretty sad. The majority of the residents shop through big box stores and online so this idea that we’d like to keep it local seems hypocritical. If you’re going to ban chain stores, then ban the Amazon trucks that deliver all our purchases.
Yes!
Every community is entitled to pushing its self interest. I don't see hypocrisy if someone in Montecito supported development somewhere else but preferred not to see it locally -- I just see NIMBY philosophy, which isn't a bad thing, we all have a right to it. In this example, if us locals in Montecito think there's better quality of life with no chains and don't mind the less development and vibrancy as a result, that's fine. State Street is the most ordinary place in the county -- super boring with all the chains. Chains will just make Montecito less unique. In Tokyo, some restaurants don't take reservations for foreigners, in the interest of giving their local customers what they way. I'm not going to cry about it, just what the locals express to their restaurant owners of what will keep them coming back.
It’s so very interesting that the Montecito Association would focus on such a topic. Rental rates dictate the success of a small business more than a community association ever will. I think the MA should do some research and see for themselves, that an entity like Restoration Hardware is the only type of “formula retail” that can afford the old firehouse. Or, as Siteline mentioned Jenni Kayne; a large retailer that can afford their space. Mom and pop are a thing of the past in Montecito due to rental rates— Not because they’re being pushed out by chain retailers that can afford it. A perfect example of this would be the Country Mart.
Back in the 90’s state street was mostly locally owned businesses. Bookstores, boutiques, restaurants. The “market” decided to push those businesses out in favor of American Eagle, Marshall’s, Vans, etc. This not only killed the soul of state, but ultimately lead to where we are now, a bunch of post-corporate-bankruptcy vacant storefronts. I support the upper village ban
Had the takeout and WOW! You two are going to kill it! We are so excited to have such amazing food and amazing people so close to us. The community has been wanting this for so long its like a dream come true! See you on the 26th!
Any news on the Mackenzie market project..? I see lots of movement going on the last few weeks. Can you give us an update?
SRM
The most ridiculously overpriced and pretentious restaurant in town! Service is confused, the portions are smaller than a child's appetizer menu, drinks are small and insanely priced. A recent visit with spouse: 4 .00 each oysters that were the size of a kernel of corn, horrendously salty fish entre': (4-5 bites) Crab entre' 'cannoli style' 2-3 small bites (size of a small 'taquito' , confused service with entres appearing at different times. The experience was a Seinfeld episode where everything goes wrong. The theme of the menu should be: "What happens when the kitchen runs out of food". ('Dinner' for 2, 1 drink each- $140.00.) . Not only an insult to customers but an embarrassment. However if your intent is to show off how precious and pretentious you are to your fiends, while the occasional homeless person walks by, this is your place! --while it is still open
Gelsons is about to install self checks, too.
