I've been living in Santa Barbara for a little over five years. I moved down for school and have been lucky enough to stay which I definitely could not have predicted happening. In the last few years of working downtown, I pass numerous businesses numerous times a day. In the last year, I have seen many stores come in and out of the storefronts on State Street. In the last six months, I have seen "store-wide sale" signs fly up, only to see the store closed less than a week later. Last month, Bryan Lee closed after being open for over 15 years (I'm not completely sure how long the store was open). This week, Katwalk (on State & De La Guerra) posted signs for a sale ("up to 60% off") and just two days later, the store was cleaned out, nothing left, not even the hanging racks.
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| Bryan Lee |
Borders (where I worked for almost 2 years) closed both in Goleta and downtown Santa Barbara. Not surprising for me as I worked with their 'business plan' first hand and was less than impressed. Barnes & Noble had just one store in Santa Barbara and they too pulled out a couple of months ago. H&M replaced B&N while a Marshall's took the Border's building (over 10,000 square feet of space!). Just what we nee, another discount clothing store. I was excited for H&M, I'd never been in one and heard good things. I have gone in a couple times since they opened and I'm not a fan. It's barely a step up from Forever 21 which is just a bit down the block on State Street. I like Marsha'ls better than Ross but not much. I've stopped purchasing clothing from there, after learning the hard way that sometimes you have to spend a little more money to get something that will last and be quality. Not that everything there is made poorly, but for right now, for me, it's not a good fit.
There are quite a few boutiques left in Santa Barbara, don't get me wrong, I'm not sure how they make their rent/ bills each month, I am more curious than anything. I know a few people who own some of the unique stores and once bills are paid, they don't make much money each month, if anything.
I am all for going to local markets (we love the Santa Cruz Market, there is one in Goleta and one downtown) and local coffee shops. I like the French Press, you haven't tried it you should. And yet, don't give me crap for going to Starbucks, I like them too and I'm not going to apologize for it.
One store that I dont' understand how it stays open is Mon Petite Bijou. There clothes are so high-priced and my first thought is always "these items are going to be drooled and thrown up on and grown out of quickly." :)
