Tag archives: business

Evolation Yoga Relocating
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   March 15, 2018

In early 2015, we told you about the revival of the Big Yellow House building in Summerland, which included the opening of a top-floor yoga studio, Evolation Yoga, then one of nine studio locations across the country owned by Mark Drost and Zefea Samson. The studio has undergone many changes in three years, including new […]

Montecito Country Mart Updates
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   March 8, 2018

Los Angeles-based boutique coffee shop Caffe Luxxe has announced plans to open in Montecito County Mart, in a portion of the space once occupied by Xanadu Bakery near Vons.  The European-style café was founded in 2006 by friends Mark Wain and Gary Chau, who both left corporate jobs to pursue their dream of opening a […]

Montecito Inn to Reopen
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   March 1, 2018

After seven weeks of vacancy while mitigating the damage caused by the January 9 debris flow, Montecito Inn is scheduled to reopen its doors this Friday, March 2. “We are grateful to the community for the ongoing support, and the crews that worked so hard to get us back in business,” said Jason Copus, whose […]

Who Should Pay (Part III)
By Montecito Journal   |   March 1, 2018

I believe you are off on this one (“Who Should Pay?” MJ #24/7). Most of the merchants I spoke with were paying their workers at least part of their wages. You might want to call around. After all these years, you would think a business could protect workers from their losses. I don’t want to […]

No Furniture? No Problem
By Jon Vreeland   |   February 15, 2018

What does a community of under 10,000 people do when a half-inch of massive deluge melts a recently charred sector of the San Ynez mountainside in a five-minute period, lathering a tranquil little village in a swathe of murderous muck and boulders, all in the early hours of a still, aphotic morning?  If you are […]

The Liquor and Wine Grotto Eludes Disaster!
By Jon Vreeland   |   February 8, 2018

Since the Thomas Fire began December 4 of last year – then burned more than a quarter-million acres of Southern California, including southern segments of the Santa Barbara County shoreline and Montecito – the sound of cash registers and consumers plodding Coast Village Road had been (at one point at least around Christmas, and to […]

Reopening the Village
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   February 1, 2018

Within the last week, Montecito started to return to normal, with the gradual reopening of the upper village shops, the YMCA, Montecito Library, several preschools, and Montecito Union School.   The shops and restaurants in the upper village were closed a significant portion of December, due to mandatory evacuations during the Thomas Fire. Reopened for […]

Sun Fire-Defense: Wildfire’s Worst Enemy
By Jon Vreeland   |   January 4, 2018

It was just before 6:30 pm, December 4 – which happens to be Feast Day for the beloved Saint Barbara, the Patroness of Fire and Lightning – when what turned out to be the largest wildfire in California’s recorded history started to burn. The Thomas Fire started just north of Santa Paula. That same night, […]

Makeshift Meeting
By Richard Mineards   |   December 21, 2017

It was a very in-tents occasion when the 30-year-old World Business Academy hosted a “gratitude gathering” at the home of its founder Rinaldo Brutoco and his wife, Lalla. As smoke from the raging Thomas Fire down south in Ventura filled the skies, which had also effected power supplies to our Eden by the Beach, given […]

Kathryne Designs, Coast Village Veterans
By Jon Vreeland   |   December 21, 2017

On the brink of Santa Barbara County’s wealthiest village, amid the towering eucalyptus and celebrities that are strewed along the popular strand of Coast Village Road, a Santa Barbara company by the name of Kathryne Designs Incorporated continues on after many successful years in the world of interior design. The 14-year-old business is owned by […]

The Upper Village of Montecito: Part I
By Bob Hazard   |   December 7, 2017

Montecito is small in size but famous for its natural beauty and relaxed lifestyle. Whether you hike the Montecito trails, stroll Butterfly Beach, order a cup of coffee or a snack – the community character remains the same – unhurried, laid-back, charming, uniquely engaged, small-town friendly service, and locally owned businesses. The shops and businesses […]

Shop Local on Coast Village Road
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   December 7, 2017

Next Thursday, December 14, merchants in Montecito’s lower village will offer special savings and incentives during the Coast Village Association’s (CVA) first annual Shop Coast Village event. The event, which runs from 4 to 7 pm, will include more than 30 stores and businesses.  “With the recent success of Ghost Village Road, when thousands descended […]

Builders Preserve the Santa Barbara Style
By Jon Vreeland   |   December 7, 2017

When the American Riviera was pummeled by the 1925 earthquake, the city of Santa Barbara decided on Spanish Colonial and Mission Revival as the prevailing styles of architecture when rebuilding the devastated city. Almost a century later, the wealthy community continues to stand by the Spanish design and architecture which, according to the Pearl Chase […]

Save the Date for Shop Coast Village
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   November 30, 2017

Mark your calendars for Thursday, December 14, when many retailers will welcome shoppers to a special shopping event on Coast Village Road, organized by the Coast Village Association. Shops will be offering special discounts and gifts, refreshments, entertainment, and even a photo opportunity with Santa! The event, called Shop Coast Village, is from 4 to […]

Rugs and More
By Jon Vreeland   |   November 23, 2017

Just off the corner of Olive and East Gutierrez streets in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Design District, Rugs and More, carries an extensive collection of rugs, shawls, and tapestries, and all of the highest quality, some that took multiple generations to complete. Rugs and More is a third-generation business owned by rug dealer and […]

Dad & Daughter Duo
By Jon Vreeland   |   November 16, 2017

On East Victoria Street, just a block and a half north of the Santa Barbara County courthouse, is a small but busy law firm run by longtime Santa Barbaran and defense attorney, Doug Hayes. For nearly half a century, Mr. Hayes has worked in the world of law and magistrates, bailiffs and prisoners, the virtuous, […]

The Future of Coast Village Road, Part 2
By Bob Hazard   |   November 9, 2017

The truly “endangered species” in America is neither the salt marsh harvest mouse nor the Channel Island fox. Rather, it is the ominous disappearance of small, locally owned businesses – particularly in retail — and the erosion of their positive impact on the character of local communities. The Retail Meltdown In the last few years, […]