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Stirling Nix-Bradley remembers spending his summers in Taylor, Texas, visiting his grandmother.
“We went to church from sun up to sun down, and somewhere in between there’d always be a potluck meal that we’d all eat,” Nix-Bradley said. “Invariably, it was fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, potato salad — to me, that’s soul food.”
Now, Nix-Bradley has brought those flavors to Santa Barbara at Soul Bites, 423 State St., the site of the former Velvet Jones.
It’s where a person can order shrimp ‘n’ grits or chicken cracklins, or a vegan soul sandwich.
Nix-Bradley grew up in Oxnard and has a background that includes working as a waiter and an actor. About 20 years ago, however, he was diagnosed with leukemia. He decided to take a corporate job for Los Angeles-based BLT Steak for the health benefits. He also eventually managed Bonaventure Brewing Co. in Los Angeles and Fresh in Santa Monica.
He also worked for Wolfgang Puck and with “Iron Chef” Michael Voltaggio. He said the imagination and quality ingredients that great chefs used also could be applied to soul food. Traditonally, he said, soul food has a reputation for being inconsistent in quality and taste, depending on the restaurant.
“We wanted to bring a corporate sensibilility to a mom-and-pop soul food space,” Nix-Bradley said.
The space, he said is also LGBTQ+ and BIPOC-friendly. It supports Gay Pride events and promotes sober living.
“Tuesday nights we don’t sell beer or wine for the sober community,” Nix-Bradley said. “We call it sober love.”
Nix-Bradley and his wife, Rose, have their sights set on expanding their business, with some help.
“We are a community-based enterprise,” Nix-Bradley said. “Our motto is, ‘When you are here, you are home.’”
The couple want to build out the bar, create a cold-prep station, and upgrade the sound and lighting system. They want to host comedy nights and entertainment shows. They would like to add more seating and make it “a little more comfy.”
“We need the money to make it happen,” he said of their effort to raise capital. They have outlined their proposal in a video posted on YouTube.
Rose Nix-Bradley said: “We want all people to feel welcome coming here.”
Visit Santa Barbara Job Fair
Visit Santa Barbara will hold its third Hospitality Career Fair from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26 at The Leta Hotel at 5650 Calle Real in Goleta.
Job seekers interested in positions with Santa Barbara South Coast lodging properties, restaurants and local attractions are encouraged to attend, according to Brooke Holland, the public relations manager for Visit Santa Barbara.
The event will feature a dozen local businesses looking to hire staff for a variety of roles, from entry-level reservationists or housekeepers to program directors in upper management. Participating employers include Courtyard by Marriott Santa Barbara Goleta; El Capitan Canyon; El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel; Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort; Hotel Californian; Hotel Santa Barbara; PRA Santa Barbara (an event management company); Ramada by Wyndham Santa Barbara; Residence Inn by Marriott Santa Barbara Goleta; Santa Barbara Inn; Santa Barbara Zoo; and Westmont College, according to a news release.
Spanish- and English-speaking staff members will be present to help facilitate interviews and discussion.
“We are thrilled to host our third career fair this year,” says Kathy Janega-Dykes, president/CEO of Visit Santa Barbara. “Our previous career fairs have successfully connected job seekers to their future employers. Since the pandemic, many local businesses have been experiencing staffing shortages, and we are committed to supporting workforce development for the hospitality industry.
“There are exciting opportunities at this month’s event as well. From group sales coordinators and event directors to hosts, gardeners, cooks and even zookeepers, there are unique roles available on the South Coast.”
Bank of America Hires Mary Noor
Bank of America has named Mary Noor as senior vice president and market executive for Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
She is responsible for deploying the bank’s philanthropic capital and building community-based partnerships, according to a news release.
Noor began her career in financial services in 2001, serving in various positions over the years from financial center operations and community relations to market executive most recently in Indianapolis, a news release states.
She earned her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. She has a bachelor’s degree in public administration from San Diego State University.
Noor helped launch the bank’s employee network for women in San Diego and Indianapolis, and volunteers with Junior Achievement teaching finical literacy to youth, with Habitat for Humanity and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Hives in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Hives is opening a second store at 3328 State St. in Santa Barbara.
The partners, Ashley Farrell and Barnaby Draper, are local beekeepers focused on supporting bees, beekeepers and sustainability, according to a news release. Customers can find a “treasure trove of bee products, hemp products and local art,” along with beekeeping resources and support.
The company also plants a tree for every purchase.
Store hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The original store, at 516 Palm Ave. in Carpinteria, opened in 2019.
City’s Bed Taxes Hopping
Santa Barbara’s transient occupancy taxes for September jumped 28% from a year ago, bringing in $3.21 million, according to the city.
In July, the city took in 19.5% more than the same month the year before, and August brought a $19.4% jump. Much of the reason is attributed to higher hotel rates.
The city has collected $10.8 million through September, the third month in the fiscal year.
— Noozhawk staff writer Joshua Molina can be reached at jmolina@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
