Another two bite the dust.
Wendy Foster and Trattoria Vittoria in Santa Barbara are closing their doors.
The two companies took to social media this week to announce the demise of their businesses.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce that Trattoria Vittoria is now closed,” according to a Tuesday post by the general manager, Vittoria Comin. “We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our customers for these last 18 years of business and beyond.”
The restaurant, at 30 E. Victoria St., will be open for two final dinners from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The statement cited the history of the spot, and how his grandfather, Giovanni “Lucky” Comin, began as a bartender at the old Pascual’s then bought into the restaurant, before opening his “dream” Italian Restaurant and Bar in 2006.
“Thanks to the loyal support of our community and dedicated employees, the restaurant even survived the pandemic and has weathered much of the storm from a worsening economy,” Comin said. “However, with my Nonno retired, inflation and cost of living continuing to rise unsustainably, and the city of Santa Barbara becoming less inviting to small, family-owned restaurants like ours, we have determined it is unfortunately time to move on.”
Vittoria went on to say that he will “treasure every story that was told to me, every family holiday, every meal, and every smile we were able to bring, long after the restaurant has laid to rest or re-emerged as something new.”
The restaurant was involved in a schism with the City of Santa Barbara a year ago after the city ordered it remove its parklet and apply for a new one that was compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Wendy Foster Closing on State Street After 40 Years
Wendy Foster is calling a “pause.”
The luxury lifestyle clothing store plans to close the door of its State Street store at the end of the month.
“With the ever-changing climate of Santa Barbara’s downtown shopping destination, we feel that it is best for our business to focus on our other locations at this time, opening the door to future opportunities,” according to an Instagram post. “We are saddened to end this long-standing chapter on State Street, but look forward to exciting new opportunities for our company as a whole.”
The store has been on State Street for 40 years.
“We wish to thank our loyal customers and supportive neighbors for being part of the rich history of Wendy Foster State Street,” the message stated. “Fashion trends have come and gone, but our local shoppers and kind visitors remained at the heart of the evolution of our State Street story.”
The store, at 1220 State St., has a 50% off sale through the end of May.
The closure of the stores comes at a time when Santa Barbara is struggling with how to make over its downtown. In May 2020, the city closed part of State Street to vehicles, prompting a wide community debate about whether such a move would help struggling restaurants and retailers.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, State Street was challenged with vacant storefronts. Since 2020, the city has wrestled with how to manage parklets, bicyclists and pedestrians on State Street. Facing pressure from individuals wanting to reopen the street to vehicles, the city earlier this year voted to open the 1200 block to one-way vehicular traffic.
At the same time, Santa Barbara is in talks to build housing at Paseo Nuevo. Meanwhile, stores and restaurants are trying to survive amid all of the government shifts in direction.
Kung Fu and Tai Chi Studio Opening on State Street
There’s some positive energy swirling on the 900 block of State Street.
Yun Chao Zhang (Master Yun) and his business partner, Daniel Nash, will hold a grand opening of their new Kung Fu and Tai Chi studio, at 921 State St., from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Guests can tour the studio and connect with other martial arts enthusiasts and locals while enjoying complimentary refreshments, according to a news release.
Master Yun also will offer demonstrations. He has been practicing traditional Chinese martial arts since he was 6 years old and is the recipient of numerous awards for Kung Fu, swordsmanship and Tai Chi Quan, the new release stated.
“I am very happy to bring Chinese martial arts to Santa Barbara,” Master Yun said in a news release. “It is my hope that more people will not only benefit from better health and well-being by practicing martial arts, but also gain a deeper understanding of Chinese philosophy and culture.”
Classes offered include Tai Chi, Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu, Shang Style Xing Yi Quan and Children’s Kung Fu as well as traditional weapons and fighting applications.
“Our focus is to bring these arts and traditions to Santa Barbara residents so they can enhance their understanding of their bodies and improve their overall health,” Nash said.
Asher Market Moves in Santa Ynez
Clothing and home goods boutique Asher Market has moved from 1090 Edison St. to 3551 Sagunto St. in downtown Santa Ynez.
The new location, next to Brass Tack, will feature the same children’s clothing, casual adult wear, accessories and home décor as the prior Asher Market location on Edison, according to a news release.
“Downtown Santa Ynez is a gem, and we are happy to continue serving the valley community and visitors with our unique handmade items, mere steps from our first location here,” owner Ashley Hayes said in a statement.
The company also has stores at 535 State St. and in Texas.
Hayes designs all of her clothing and travels to Peru twice a year to personally choose and source the finest fabrics, according to a news release.
She focuses on using remnant fabrics and produces small-batch collections, helping to reduce waste, conserve resources and do her part to lessen the fashion industry’s environmental footprint, she said. She also has a children’s line, Asher Baby, where items are “made with the softest, highest-quality fabrics.”
The store is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday.
The post BizHawk: Wendy Foster Store, Trattoria Vittoria Restaurant Shutting Down in Santa Barbara appeared first on Noozhawk.