Tag archives: local business

Roughly two years after opening their doors to the Montecito community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lemondrop, Montecito’s only shop catering to pre-teens or “tweens” has closed. The shop was owned by Montecito mom of four, Ana Rudnicki, who opened the shop in 2021 to give parents a place to take their pre-teens to try on […]

Earlier this month, the Rosewood Miramar Beach hosted the Coast Village Association for another Meet & Greet; an opportunity for merchants in the Lower Village to gather and discuss ideas and concerns.  Over 40 merchants from retail stores, art galleries, restaurants, markets, and services joined together to meet the Rosewood’s guest services’ department as well […]

Local entrepreneur Robb Ferer and Santa Barbara Chiropractor, Hunter Ford D.C., along with mechanical engineer Grant Draper, have invented a new product, called a Dorso Mount, that connects percussive massage devices to massage canes. The device has had positive traction online, selling to patients as well as to sports teams, gyms, and physical therapists across […]

There have been a handful of storefront and office space changes on Coast Village Road as of late, including the impending relocation of one of the street’s most prominent clothing boutiques.  Angel, which has been in its coveted 1221 Coast Village Road space for 25 years, is moving to the Villa Fontana complex, next to […]

The 38 businesses on Lillie Avenue in Summerland joined together for a block party and to invite the local adjoining towns to get to know them. The event took place Saturday, July 29, from 11 am to 5 pm, all along the avenue. Walking the approximated 7/10th of a mile route, you’ll find a variety […]

As a follow-up to a story we’ve been following since April, Montecito Natural Foods, which was located in Montecito Country Mart for nearly 60 years and closed its doors in June, has reopened a small storefront in the Upper Village, next to Josephine’s Antiques. The store, now dubbed Montecito Natural Health, opened in mid-July, and […]

Handily sandwiched between this world and the next, we have the picturesque village of Summerland, California. This quaint California idyll derives its name from ‘The Summerland’ – a term Theosophists apply to the heavenly sphere that surrounds our yearning planet Earth. Summerland was indeed founded by Spiritualist H.L. Williams in 1883 as a colony for […]

Homer Montecito owner Terry Pillow popped up with a one-day store at the Santa Barbara Polo Club using his vintage ‘60s Land Rover as part of the impressive props. Terry, former head of Tommy Bahama and Ralph Lauren, displayed his English bridle leather wares next to the club’s boutique. “It couldn’t have been a better […]

A tranquil space located upstairs at the Las Aves complex across from the bird refuge is expanding its offerings next month; Montecito Meditation will now add yoga classes to the schedule, in addition to guided meditation sessions. The business, owned by Tina Lyn, opened shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and is now making […]

Longtime Montecito Natural Foods employee Matt Mosby has confirmed that the beloved store, which has been in business nearly 60 years and is closing its Montecito Country Mart location next month, is planning to reopen in the upper village. “We are excited to make the move to the new location, and I know our customers […]

On nearly the same day that she opened her beloved shop 30 years ago on State Street, Rooms & Gardens owner Jami Voulgaris is starting a new chapter in Montecito. Rooms & Gardens made its official debut over the weekend with a friends and family event, opening the doors for business on May 8. “When […]

I am glad that “Robert’s Big Questions” are published regularly in the weekly Montecito Journal. The writer is among my most interesting friends (among other things, he’s the widely grinning high-brow guy cavorting about on his unicycle in parades and events around town), and I find it worthwhile to consider how and what he thinks. […]

Shortly before press time last week, we got word that Coral Casino owner Ty Warner’s attempts to amend the club’s development plan were appealed. The appeal was filed by a longtime member of the Coral Casino, who wrote in her appeal that she is interested in “fair treatment of current laws on the books.”  The […]

Montecito Natural Foods in Montecito Country Mart will vacate its long-held space by the end of June, after being given notice that its lease is not up for renewal. The shop, dedicated to offering health food products, vitamins, beauty products, and more, has been in business nearly 60 years, with the most recent owners, Gabe […]

From candles to Coast Village: Montecito Collective, a small business owned by 25-year-old Virginia Barlow and her partner Daniel Heald, has opened a space at 1250 Coast Village Road next to Warner Group Architects. The business was founded in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and started as a retailer of candles. Two short years later, […]

Another new store has also opened in Montecito in the last month: Wunderkind is the newest tenant of San Ysidro Village, located in the former home of Birgit Klein Interiors, next to Hogue & Co. Founded by Philip Manghisi, Wunderkind has a flagship store in Scottsdale, Arizona, which opened in 2022.  Wunderkind is German word […]

There’s a new culinary experience at the San Ysidro Ranch – and it’s top secret. The Secret Cellar premiered in December, building on the luxe property’s famous world-class dining but offering something totally exclusive. It brings diners underground – past the Stonehouse patio, past the entrance to the Plow & Angel and down the stone […]

Late last week, Bettina owners Rachel Greenspan and Brendan Smith announced on social media that they have signed a lease for a new location in Carpinteria, as part of a multi-tenant development project coming to Linden Avenue.  The new location will be more casual than the Montecito Country Mart location, and will be more of […]

The largest golf store in Santa Barbara and Montecito is under new ownership, featuring 25-year-old local resident Alex Bollag at the helm. Golf Max is located next to Harry’s Plaza Café in Loreto Plaza and opened for business last fall.  The location was formerly a golf store called The Golf Klub; owner Tom Noyes announced […]

When life throws you curveballs, what does the owner of the vegan joint Rascal’s do? In short, Dalan Moreno gets to work and gets things done!  After a sudden and unexpected notice to vacate his downtown residency on Cota Street on November 4, 2022, Dalan was left in a moment of uncertainty. But if 17 […]