It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.

The demise of some sacred institutions rocked Santa Barbara’s business community in 2023.

The Santa Barbara News-Press folded after 17 years of death by a thousand cuts. The beloved Fresco Cafe abruptly closed overnight. Plus, the City of Santa Barbara proposed demolishing the iconic Paseo Nuevo mall to build more than 500 apartment buildings.

In a Noozhawk scoop, global speaker giant Sonos announced it was leaving Santa Barbara for the Goodland of Goleta. It plans to consolidate most of its offices, and at a lower rate in a Goleta office park. In Old Town Goleta, Bicycle Bob’s was sold to Trek Bicycles. Bob “Bicycle Bob” Zaratzian retired after nearly 40 years and built an institution for generations of families.

The national Macy’s in La Cumbre Plaza also revealed that its lease expires in 2028, and that it would be gone that year — if not sooner. The mall and parking lot are targeted for thousands of apartments.

Also intended for housing is the Tri-County Produce site at 335 S. Milpas St. in Santa Barbara. Austin Herlihy and Chris Parker plan to develop the site into 99 apartments. A smaller version of the store will remain.

Although the closure was only temporary, one of the most read-stories of the year in Noozhawk was the summer closure of Chick-fil-A for eight weeks so the company could remodel its driveway and reduce the number of drivers who spill out into the street when going through the drive-thru.

Also, just about every week, a story about Santa Barbara’s wrestling match with parklets on State Street and off State Street took readers for a ride.

Those stories gripped readers, according to Noozhawk analytics, and were the most-read business stories of 2023.

Every week, Noozhawk publishes BizHawk, a column that reports on the latest openings, closings, trends or changes in the business world. That means that every week, I scramble to find those stories. I also shoot photos and conduct interviews. The column is much more than anonymous tips thrown up on the site to spread rumors or create buzz; I put a face to every story.

Usually, I do that on Thursday morning, afternoon and sometimes evening (as my sources and editors know). But it’s worth it. Every week, without fail, I publish the latest business news that impacts readers.

What follows is a list of the most-read BizHawk stories of 2023.

1. BizHawk: New Owners Have Big Plans for Santa Barbara’s Iconic Harbor Restaurant

Attorney John Thyne III, his wife, Olesya Thyne, Gene Sanchez and his wife, Carolina Jimenez, purchased The Harbor Restaurant and Longboard’s and plan to dramatically transform the look, vibe and food on Stearns Wharf. It’s a dynamic team with high standards. Part of the restaurant is already redesigned and much more is to come, including possible rooftop deck seating.

2. Calle Real Center in Goleta to Get Massive Makeover

The Towbes Group, which owns the Calle Real Center, wants to create “an upscale and fresh customer experience” and introduce a “modern structure that creates an iconic landmark.” The plan includes less parking, and green space for events. While State Street struggles, the center is a vibrant shopping and eating area for Goleta and South Coast restaurants.

3. Maiz Picante Taqueria Latest Mexican Restaurant to Open in Santa Barbara

Maiz Picante Taqueria opened at 2714 De la Vina St. in Santa Barbara, and was part of a wave of Mexican food restaurants that opened in 2023. Santa Barbara, it seems, can’t get enough of its Mexican food.

4. Brass Bear Brewing Roars into Uptown Santa Barbara

Seth Anderson and his wife, Lyndsay, opened Brass Bear Brewing at the site of the former Le Cafe Stella, 3302 McCaw Ave. in Santa Barbara. It’s the second location for the family, which started in the Funk Zone. The place is paradise, with views of the mountains, a lounge area and quality food.

5. Taqueria La Unica Opens for Mexican Street Tacos

The latest creation of Carlos Luna and his Los Agaves Restaurant Group has been going nonstop busy since the day it opened at the site of the former Dunkin’ Donuts at 3771 State St. in Santa Barbara. Mexican street tacos are the main attraction on the menu.

6. Bed Bath & Beyond Nears Closure Amid Other Changes at Shopping Center

Santa Barbara is not immune to the vagaries of the national retail struggle. Bed Bath & Beyond closed its doors last summer in Goleta. It was one less place for me to do my last-minute Christmas shopping this year.

7. Santa Barbara Beach Hostel Opens Near Amtrak Train Station

Filling an abandoned building, the Santa Barbara Beach Hostel opened at 134 Chapala St. Owner James Black, co-founder and CEO of International Travelers House, and his partners purchased the space and rehabbed it into a hostel, which it had been a decade prior. It’s an inexpensive play to stay at as low as $60 a night.

8. Five Points Shopping Center Getting Mattress Store Takeover

Mattress Firm moved into the Five Points Shopping Center in Santa Barbara. The Houston-based company leased the spaces formerly occupied by Saigon Restaurant and La Salsa. Five Points, by the way, is still the most packed commercial parking lot on the South Coast.

9. Zodo’s Transforms into Bowlero in Goleta

Bowlero, along with its premium new prices, replaced Zodo’s at 5925 Calle Real in Goleta. The national chain is the most popular bowling company in the country. It’s the only bowling alley on the South Coast, and it serves as a venue for parties and events.

10. BizHawk: Dave’s Drip House Ice Cream & Cereal Bar Puts the Cool in Dessert

Dave Reynoso continued his market expansion with Dave’s Drip House Ice Cream and Cereal Bar in the Turnpike Shopping Center in Santa Barbara. He opened the food truck later in the year on the city’s Eastside.