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Some people say beauty is only skin deep.
But Skin Deep Beauty Products, Gifts and Salons runs much deeper and into the soul of Santa Barbara.
For 42 years, the family-owned company has provided the community with exclusive, high-quality skin and hair products, rich with natural ingredients.
Now, the company is looking to sell to someone to keep the tradition alive.
“We’ve developed this beautiful business model that we can share and train a new owner to take over and manage,” co-owner Nina Meyer said. “People can come, buy their beauty products, get good product knowledge, and also buy their gifts.”
The family hopes to find a new owner by June. The company opened in 1980 in San Roque at 3405 State St. It opened under the concept of a “combined beauty product store and salon operation that was inviting, pretty and focused on more natural ingredient products,” according to a news release.
Now, the business sells cards, jewelry, children’s toys and other accessories.
Meyer said the three sisters who own the business are ready for a change.
“At this stage in life, you can do a lot of things when you are 20, 30, 40 and 50, but once you are over 70, you need to have a little more free time,” Meyer said. “And owning a business does require a lot of work, and a lot of physical stamina, and a lot of management.”
Meyer noted that the store survived recessions, fires, the debris flow and COVID-19, which shows the scope of the store’s popularity.
She also said that the company has mentored many young women over the years.
“The other great accomplishment is the hundreds of young women employees we have mentored,” Meyer said. “They have learned so much from us. They started here at very early ages and went on to a career from what they learned here.”
Tina Hasche, one of the other owners, said she is grateful for all the years serving local customers.
“The time has come for my sisters and I to enjoy a little more free time during this chapter of our lives,” Hasche said. “We are looking forward to finding a new owner who is an experienced and professional retail and salon entrepreneur — to continue for our customers and build upon Skin Deep’s many decades of success.”
Firestone, Parker Expand Holdings
Andrew Firestone and Jess Parker, owners of the Santa Barbara-based hospitality development company StonePark Capital, have acquired Hotel Cerro, a 65-room hotel in downtown San Luis Obispo.
The hotel, at 1125 Garden St., includes a full-service restaurant and bar, a state-of-the-art spa and wellness center, event space, and the only rooftop pool and bar in the city of San Luis Obispo, according to a press release.
StonePark Capital recently opened The Courtyard by Marriott hotel and the Saint Remy restaurant, at 1601 State St. in Santa Barbara.
This represents the third collaboration between Marriott International and StonePark Capital on the Central Coast of California.
“Hotel Cerro is an absolute gem in San Luis Obispo that has artfully combined stunning architecture and design to match the historic character of downtown,” Firestone said. “The location and unique offerings fit perfectly within the profile of the Autograph Collection Hotels.”
AZUL Hospitality will take over operations of the hotel, restaurant and spa, according to a press release.
Asian Street Food in Public Market
Three Monkeys inside the Santa Barbara Public Market is set to open officially on Sunday.
“From the team behind Santa Barbara’s Empty Bowl Gourmet Noodle Bar comes Three Monkeys, serving up the best of Asian street food with a focus on quality ingredients and authentic flavors,” the company’s website states.
The restaurant is tucked away in the back corner.
Santa Barbara Sales Tax Down
In a reversal of recent trends, Santa Barbara’s sales tax revenues are down 0.7% from the same quarter the prior year.
The city took in $7.35 million for the quarter ending Dec. 31.
“This result reflects a flattening in economic activity, following the post-pandemic pent-up demand from the previous year, and higher inflation,” according to a city news release.
Hotel bed taxes were $1.65 million in February, which was about 3.2% below the monthly budget. For the city’s fiscal year, however, transient occupancy taxes are 15% over budget.
The city has collected $20.6 million through February, the eighth month in its 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.