Sometimes you have to get out of the office.

BizHawk is often comprised of stories about businesses opening and closing, or the latest trends in commercial real estate. Those tips come from the community or news releases, or social media.

But for this week’s BizHawk, with an Americano coffee from the Dusk Cafe at the Drift Hotel in my hand, I chose to walk seven blocks of State Street to get a view of what’s happening from the street level. I saw a lot of change. Businesses coming and businesses going, and several vacant storefronts.

I even ran into my cousin Avery, who I went to Isla Vista Elementary School with. He apparently has worked in several restaurant kitchens and seemed to know everything that was going on downtown, so it was a fortuitous run-in.

And I walked on the sidewalk so, fortunately, I didn’t have deal with the crush of people zooming by on electric bikes on State Street.

Nick The Greek

Nick The Greek is flying a big blue banner at 508 State St. It’s apparently “Coming Soon,” and the company is hiring, if you scan the large QR code on the front of the building.

According to the company’s web site, they sell pork belly gyros, chicken souvlaki, chicken gyro and all types of falafels, among several other Greek items.

“Nick The Greek is on a mission to change the way people think about and eat fast food, and it’s catching on fast,” according to the website.

The company has shops all over California, including our neighbors Ventura and San Luis Obispo.

Sonoma Fit

Also with a large square banner on the wall is Sonoma FIT, which is set to go at the site of the former Samy’s Camera, 530 State St.

Samy’s was an institution, but the company shuttered in 2019.

Sonoma FIT is a luxury fitness club.

Cleopatra Ink

“Turning your dreams into reality very soon!” the new shop says on its Instagram.

On the glass storefront of its shop at 619 State St., it says “The World’s Largest and Most Awarded Tattoo Company Now Also in USA. Coming Soon.”

Cleopatra Ink began as a single studio in Alanya, Turkey.

“We’re more than just tattoos; we offer a unique experience reflecting your individuality. Our dedicated designers craft personalized, identity-mirroring designs,” the company’s website states. “Award-winning tattoo artists bring them to life with creativity. Cleopatra Ink transforms your journey into an art form, where your story shines. Join us for unparalleled body art, where creativity knows no bounds, and your narrative takes center stage.”

Santa Playa Mariscos

A fish restaurant is taking over the spot of the former Brasil Arts Cafe. Santa Playa Mariscos has joined the “Coming Soon” club at 1230 State St.

The place has applied for a beer and wine license.

The Brasil Arts Cafe was a restaurant and musical and performance venue that included a 1,200-square-foot studio.

Indian Tandoori Kingdom

Some restaurant spaces seem to stay vacant forever. But Indian Tandoori Kingdom isn’t letting that happen at 1026 State St.

Oppi’z, known for its charcoal pizza dough, opened in 2019 but closed last year.

Among the menu items for the Los Angeles-based company are Mulligatawny soup, Tandoori Thali and curry fries.

Indian Tandoori Kingdom already has a slick sign out front and appears poised to open imminently.

Nectar Clothing

Restaurants aren’t everything in Santa Barbara, although it may seem that way on State Street.

Among the new retail shops is Nectar Clothing, which sells skirts, dresses, sweaters, tops and bottoms, and a variety of other women’s clothing.

At 623 1/2 State St., the store has a banner above it that says “Now Open,” and a flyer in the window that says “We Are Hiring.”

Creations Boutique

The popular downtown Rite Aid closed its doors at 825 State St. in 2022. Now, the site is home to Creations Boutique, a women’s clothing store.

Creations opened in 2023 and has a sign in the window that says “Now hiring stylist and key holders.”

State Street Trading Post

Although it’s all taped up still, and there are signs in the windows discouraging trespassing, the State Street Trading Post appears to be “coming soon” to 1105 State St.

A flyer in the window says it is hiring a retail store manager and sales staff employees.

The store is a “collective of Makers & Vintage Merchants.”

The company’s Instagram says, “A collective of makers & vintage merchants under one roof on Downtown Santa Barbara historic State Street. Coming soon.”

Prominent Corners

For some reason, Santa Barbara has prominent corners that are vacant.

The former Starbucks at 800 State St. at the corner of State and De la Guerra is vacant. There appears to be some work going on inside the building, however.

The Westside corner of State Street and Canon Perdido is vacant and being marketed for lease by Investec.

Across the street is the former Forever 21 Building, 901 State St., which is also vacant, but has a sign in the window indicating construction is beginning soon for a new hotel. Noozhawk previously reported that a 22-room hotel with a rooftop pool was proposed for the site.

The corner of Ortega and State Street is also vacant. It was the former site of Johnny’s Italian Greek Deli, and later a wireless phone company.

Other Vacancies

The former Seven Hills souvenir shop, 1019 State St., is vacant and being marketed by Hayes Commercial Group.

Plum Goods closed its doors in 2020, and the space is still vacant. Hayes Commercial Group is marketing the shop at 909 State St.

At least the attractive Plum Goods letters are still painted on the glass storefront.

The former site of Kai Sushi, and most recently Elena’s Mexican Restaurant, is vacant at 738 State St.

The space is being marketed by Compass First.