Tag archives: local business

Clothes Encounter at Loveworn
By Jon Vreeland   |   July 5, 2018

One of the latest additions to the American Riviera’s most eccentric neighborhoods celebrated their one-year anniversary last week. Loveworn, a dual-owned clothing store on the southern end of Anacapa Street, down where the city meets the sea in the Santa Barbara Funk Zone, carries attire for the authentic and chic individual, one who holds a […]

Allora Celebrates Five Years
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   July 5, 2018

This weekend, Allora by Laura, the women’s clothing boutique on Coast Village Road, will celebrate five years in business with an anniversary sale to thank loyal customers. “It’s truly been our great passion,” said owner Laura Dinning, who runs the store with the help of her daughter, TJ Breidenstein, and their employees.  The mother and daughter duo, who […]

A Song Just for You
By Jon Vreeland   |   June 28, 2018

It doesn’t matter how big or how small a wedding actually is: as soon as the bride and groom are permitted to kiss, they still walk away married with one marriage license for two people. However, this does not propose the ostracization of romanticism; when it comes to getting married, nothing is too amorous for […]

Antique Alley: A Place of Childhood Dreams
By Jon Vreeland   |   June 21, 2018

Many people possess an obvious and specific identity at a young age. One kid may be heavily into science or auto-mechanics, while another may feel they were put on the planet to play the drums or surf 40-foot waves after every major storm. And when the child reaches adulthood with the identity still in active […]

In Business: Santa Barbara Shoe Repair
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   June 21, 2018

After losing hundreds of shoes and multiple pieces of expensive shoe repair equipment in a structure fire at his former location, Santa Barbara Shoe Repair – formerly De La Vina Shoe Repair – owner Bachir Ramadam has set up shop at a spacious location on Haley Street near Anacapa Street. “I’m happy that I have […]

Mama Luma: Children’s Fashion Meets Community Networking Space
By Tim Buckley   |   June 7, 2018

A new local children’s clothing brand, Mama Luma, founded by two UCSB graduates, Ata Sari and Kevin Mahany, will be celebrating the grand opening of its new Paseo Nuevo location this June. Focusing on higher-end girls clothing for ages 1-10, the company has a unique vision that accompanies their business goals. Previously only available to […]

Plank Goodness for Furniture Shop
By Jon Vreeland   |   May 17, 2018

On the northern tip of Santa Barbara, where Hollister Avenue and Modoc Road connect near the border of Goleta is a second-hand furniture and consignment store that sells vintage and modern decor. This single-story gem, owned by Vic Parvin, goes by the name of Finders Keepers. You can easily spot the display of unique and […]

The Sacred Space: A Little Piece of Heaven
By Jon Vreeland   |   May 10, 2018

“You and I are all as much continuous with the physical universe as a wave is continuous with the ocean.” – Alan Watts In 2005, the small town of Summerland welcomed The Sacred Space to what is now the heavily decorated corner of Lillie Avenue. But the wall of green foliage, the healing Buddhas, prosperity […]

Fill at the Grill
By Richard Mineards   |   May 10, 2018

Mayor Cathy Murillo made our town’s newest eatery, the Bluewater Grill, official at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The restaurant, formerly Rusty’s Pizza Lighthouse and Castagnola’s Lobster House, is just a tiara’s toss from Stearns Wharf, with the kitchen run by Chanel Ducharme, formerly of the Hungry Cat. Owners Rick Staunton and Jim Ulcickas, who have a […]

Viva Oliva Unveils New Look
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   May 3, 2018

Nearly a year after moving to Montecito from New Zealand and taking ownership of Coast Village Road’s olive oil shop, Viva Oliva, Amanda and Sven Dybdahl are unveiling the store’s new look and offerings. “We really feel like we are part of this great community,” Amanda said during a visit to the store last week.  […]

Spring Fling on Coast Village Road
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   April 26, 2018

This Saturday, April 28, merchants along Coast Village Road will welcome shoppers to a special shopping event: Coast Village Association’s Spring Fling. “This is a fabulous opportunity to support locally owned businesses with many offering great discounts and specials,” said Sharon Byrne, the association’s executive director.  Many of the CVR merchants will offer discounts and […]

Rocha Swim: Swimwear for the Petite
By Jon Vreeland   |   April 19, 2018

How does an aqueous woman curb her frustration of Spring Break’s arrival, a mere confirmation that summer will soon follow, when every swimsuit she finds and adores does not satisfy her petite yet curvy physique?  Well, if you’re Danielle Rocha, 23, you don’t hide from the California sun and ocean, or avoid pool days and […]

Pop-Up at Montecito Country Mart
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   April 12, 2018

Also happening at Montecito Country Mart: Poppy Store, a children’s boutique, will take up residence at the Mart for one month; a portion of sales will be donated to Montecito Union and Cold Springs School. Poppy opened for business on April 7 and will be open until May 7.  Poppy Store is a baby and […]

For Better or Worse, Twice is Nice
By Jon Vreeland   |   April 5, 2018

It is no secret that most women dream of the day they can walk arm and arm with Daddy down the flower-littered aisle while wearing a long white dress and veil while the organ serenades the bride-to-be in her, hopefully, once in a lifetime experience amid their closest friends and family. However, the cost of […]

Ambiance on Coast Village Road
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   April 5, 2018

Next Friday, April 13, Jennie Reiter, owner of Blanka on Coast Village Road, will officially mark the closing of Blanka and opening of Ambiance, a new boutique with new ownership. Hit hard by the business loss attributed to the Thomas Fire and mudslide during what is the busiest time of the year in retail, Reiter […]

Never Mind Chain Stores, Here’s Chaucer’s Books!
By Jon Vreeland   |   March 15, 2018

In 1974, a little more than 100 years after the publication of Arthur Rimbaud’s poem “A Season in Hell” – the same year Stephen King terrified America with his first thrilling novel, Carrie – Mahri Kerley opened Chaucer’s Books, a Santa Barbara business that continues to draw the same loyal customers, 12 hours a day, […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

Coast Village Cash Mob
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   February 15, 2018

Hundreds of shoppers turned out for a “Cash Mob” on Coast Village Road on February 10, supporting local businesses, and enjoying giveaways and refreshments. Organized by Jeff Bochsler and Christian Menard, with help from the Coast Village Association and Cal Fire attorney Alicia Journey, the event was a great success.