Retail on Santa Barbara’s State Street is dead, sort of — at least at 901 State St.
That’s where one can find skeletons, ghosts, ghouls, goblins and other characters who thrive in the darkness of the night.
The World of Magic Halloween store is back in business.
There are the freaky costumes, of course, but this year’s costume fare also includes plenty of Mario and Luigi, Spider-Man and Spider-Woman, mermaids, Marvel characters, Wonder Woman and wigs galore.
It’s the only Halloween store on the South Coast. Spirit Halloween was eaten up by Planet Fitness a couple of years ago in Goleta.
The store, inside the old Forever 21 building, is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Patxi’s Pizza Closes
There’s one less place to enjoy pizza on State Street. A couple of weeks after Oppi’z Pizza closed on State Street, now Patxi’s Pizza has shut its doors.
It’s unclear whether it’s a pause or an ending.
A sign on a front window reads, “Temporarily closed for repairs. Sorry for the inconvenience.”
That’s often a sign that the end is near, if not already arrived.
The restaurant has one of the longest facades on State Street. Like it’s deep dish pizza, the front of the restaurant was set far back from the street, with what was once ample outdoor dining.
Validation Ale to Expand
Funk Zone business Validation Ale has signed a lease for a second location at 2840 De la Vina St. in Santa Barbara.
Validation Annex will move into a building that previously was a Chinese food restaurant.
Caitlin Hensel, a real estate broker with Hayes Commercial Group, said “it will be under construction over the coming months to overhaul the interior and exterior to transform it into a light and bright space with double glass roll-up doors, outdoor patio spaces and the high-end aesthetic of VA’s funk zone location.”
It’s expected to open in the summer of 2024.
Validation Ale told Noozhawk that the new place will have everything featured in the Funk Zone location.
“The level of service, great food, outstanding beer, and aesthetics of Validation Ale Headquarters will be mirrored,” it said. “With plenty of parking and easy walkability from San Roque, Samarkand, and other family-rich neighborhoods VA expects a higher percentage of guests will have kids in tow. The plan is to expand the kid friendly food & drink options, add pizza (by the slice or whole pie), and tweak other aspects in order to further increase the family friendly vibe.”
New Tenant Replaces Zoom
Caitlin Hensel has been busy sealing deals. In addition to the Validation Ale lease, Hensel represented the incoming tenant to 420 E. Carrillo St.
The building was previously occupied by Zoom. Hensel told Noozhawk that the office building in downtown Santa Barbara went on the market for lease in February. She called the space “arguably the nicest creative office in downtown Santa Barbara.”
She said the office is turn-key and features a ping-pong table, amphitheater meeting space, a high-end kitchen and patio areas.
As for the tenant, Hensel said it is a Canadian company that’s publicly traded, but not a household name. She was stoked over the deal because even though it’s a tough office market, “office is not dead people!” she said.
Dave’s Dogs Comes Home
Entrepreneur Dave Reynoso has moved his food truck to the corner of Milpas and Cacique streets in Santa Barbara.
Reynoso has grown a little empire in recent years, with the original success of Dave’s Dogs on the corner of Milpas and Canon Perdido, then inside the Turnkpike Shopping Center. Now, he’s back with a food truck in a parking lot.
The food truck will be open from 7 p.m. to midnight Wednesday through Saturday.
Reynoso also owns Dave’s Drip House in the Turnkpike Shopping Center.
Rite-Aid Exits Carpinteria
Rite-Aid at 801 Linden Ave. in Carpinteria is closing.
KEYT’s John Palminteri reported on his Instagram page that “employees have now been notified and are being offered options including a transfer. The final day will be Sept. 19.”