Downtown Business Spotlight is a virtual interview series, where we chat and get to know our Santa Barbara business owners. Join us for this interview series in collaboration with the Santa Barbara Independent, each Thursday at 3 PM.

THURSDAY, JULY 8, 3 PM

TOPIC: Arts & Crafts

Join Robin Elander in conversation with Andrew Rawls (The Crafter’s Library), Rachael Myles and Kelly Almeida (Board & Brush Creative Studio), and Sam Winkelmeyer (Art Essentials) in this week’s Downtown Business Spotlight.
Did you miss the last Downtown Business Spotlight?
Watch it below!

TOPIC: Vegan Cuisine

Join Matt Kettmann in conversation with Nadia Ajouni (Blue Owl), Maria Nae (Green Table), and Dalan Moreno (Rascals) in last week’s Downtown Business Spotlight.
We are excited to announce the return of 1st Thursday in August!

Date: Thursday, August 5 (5-8pm)

After nearly a year and a half hiatus, we've received countless emails and calls from the arts community as well as the public inquiring about the return of this event. People are ready to get back out and enjoy our beautiful downtown. Pent-up demand for arts, culture, music and collaborative celebration is sure to draw a crowd to this event. We hope you will join us to celebrate! 

If you are interested in participating, please email April Lee, at April@downtownsb.org to reserve a space in the event.
The Arts Funds Fund has recently opened a gallery at 821 State Street, previously Sur La Table, and wants to partner with other arts organizations to activate the space.

If you have ideas for an artist workshop, readings, music, dance, etc. please reach out to info@artsfundsb.org to discuss collaborating!

Learn more at @artsfundsb on Instagram or www.artsfundsb.org
12 pm July 9th 

This show will have a "Old Spanish Days " Theme, and something special at the conclusion of the show that you are going to want to bring your Camera's Out for. Radio guests include Stephanie Petlow, Madam La Presidenta of Old Spanish Days, The Spirit of Fiesta “Ysabella Yturralde” & the Jr. Spirit “Savannah Hoover” who will also be Dancing for us!
Seating Opens at 11:30am and the Show begins at 12:05pm.

RSVP at 805-966-4638
Also listen live at KZ 1290 AM Radio 
Kids Summer Classes at The Crafter's Library

Join The Crafter's Library for summer art's camp! All of the kids' classes will begin at 2:00 PM on the day listed. Kids' classes are open for 9-15 year olds.
 
Thursday, July 8: Kid's Crochet 101 ($25/person)
Friday, July 9: Friendship Bracelet 101 ($25/person)

Monday, July 12: Make Your Own Hair Bow ($30/person)
Wednesday, July 14: Make Your Own Scrunchie ($25/person)
Thursday, July 15: Wire Flower Class ($30/person)
Friday, July 16: Felt Succulent Class ($35/person)

To sign up for kids' classes, stop by The Crafter's Library at 9 E Figueroa St in La Arcada Plaza or call 805-770-3566!
Fiesta Costume Sale 2021
Saturday, July 10, 2021
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Don't miss out on this perfect opportunity to get Fiesta ready! Find Women's, Kids', and Men's costumes and accessories. Plus official Fiesta merchandise at the annual Fiesta Costume Sale! 

Held at the Carriage and Western Art Museum, 129 Castillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

This event is free to the public.

The Independent Living Resource Center Flags are up on State Street!

Today, July 7th, 2021, the Independent Living Resource Center, also known as ILRC, is launching disability awareness month in a new more visible way. ILRC is excited to announce that 125 Disability Awareness flags are now flying on State Street in downtown, Santa Barbara.
 
This year marks the ILRC’s 45th anniversary and July, known as Disability Awareness month. It is a time to remember and celebrate the milestones that created the foundation for those with disabilities to become part of their communities, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ILRC, is a well-known disability non-profit organization run by, for, and with people with disabilities in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.
 
This is a month to recognize how far we have come and move forward together to continue to create an even more equitable and accessible community. Flags throughout history have been used to represent ideals, convey messages, and signal the qualities for which people stand for. ILRC’s flags are no different. The ILRC flags decorating State Street highlight full access, independent living, disability advocacy, education, and action. All of which must be fostered by openness, curiosity, and a love to thrive.
 
The four symbols chosen represent those who are Blind or Low Vision, persons with Mobility disabilities, individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, and communication access.
 
ILRC is incredibly grateful for our partnership with Downtown Santa Barbara. ILRC’s flags will be up from July 7th through July 21st.

The Economic Development Collaborative and Down-town Organization of Santa Barbara invite you to join our free webinar on getting back to business with state programs! Get to know your state officials from the California State Treasurer’s Office who are ready to share tools and answer questions about the programs available that can help your small business get back
on track.

Learn how to access state programs including:
• CalSavers- California’s new retirement savings program that offers millions of workers in California the opportunity
to get on track for the future.
• ScholarShare 529- an investment account specifically
designed for higher education savings-which offers great tax benefits.
• California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA) - sales tax exemptions on
equipment purchases for manufacturers promoting altern-
ative energy and advanced transportation and facilitates
financing for energy efficiency retrofits.
• California Pollution Control Financing Authority (CPCFA)- supports small business financing and has sub-programs
for both electric vehicle charging and low-emissions heavy duty trucks.
• Small Business Majority- advocates for policy solutions that create a strong, job-creating economy for all and provides education and resources to entrepreneurs to promote small
business growth and prosperity.
Including:
Special Opening from Fiona Ma, California’s 34th State Treasurer-
the first woman of color and the first woman Certified Public
Accountant (CPA) elected to the position.
Presenters:
• Jonathan Herrera, Outreach & Marketing Manager at
CalSavers Retirement Savings Program
• Lori Mattson, Manager at ScholarShare Investment Board
• Kaylee D’Amico, Marketing, Education and Outreach
Specialist at California State Treasurer’s Office
• Latavia Pineda, Southern California Outreach Manager
at Small Business Majority
The Economic Development Collaborative and Down-town Organization of Santa Barbara invite you to join our free webinar on getting back to business with state programs! Get to know your state officials from the California State Treasurer’s Office who are ready to share tools and answer questions about the programs available that can help your small business get back
on track.
Click HERE to Register
For more information, call our Business Assistance Line
at 805.409.9159 or visit www.edcollaborative.com
Changes to Businesses Operating on Public Sidewalks

On June 22, 2021, City Council considered possible changes to the Guide to Operating a Business on State Street and Parklet Guidelines.

The following changes were approved by City Council at their meeting of June 22, 2021:

  • Effective July 9, 2021, sidewalks must be cleared of all tables, chairs, and other fixtures that are not currently licensed under the City’s Outdoor Dining License Agreement program.

  • All sidewalk dining areas that had an Outdoor Dining License Agreement that was in place pre-COVID can remain as approved through their Outdoor Dining License Agreement.

  • Businesses wanting to apply for an Outdoor Dining License Agreement for sidewalk dining are required to go through an application and permit process. If you are interested in pursuing an Outdoor Dining License Agreement please contact Michael Cloonan, Project Engineer, at mcloonan@santabarbaraca.gov, or by phone at 805-564-5365.

  • All other aspects of the Guide to Operating a Business on State Street and Parklet Guidelines remain in effect.

City Council also directed staff on the following:

  • ADA compliance will be strictly enforced effective immediately for all parklets and outdoor dining areas for both day and night operations.

  • The City of Santa Barbara will continue to allow the construction of new Parklets outside of State Street in accordance with the Parklet Guidelines.

  • The City of Santa Barbara will continue to allow the construction of new expanded outdoor business areas on the closed portion of State Street and West Victoria Street in accordance with the Guide to Operating a Business on State Street.

  • All new and existing installations are encouraged to adhere to the Aesthetic Design Guidelines.

  • The City continues to welcome existing businesses to temporarily operate in the public right-of-way until the expiration of the Emergency Economic Recovery Ordinance on March 8, 2022.
State Street Promenade Market
July 8, 2021, · 3 PM - 7:30 PM
State Street between Canon Perdido & Figueroa
Come out to the market this Thursday to support your small and local businesses!

Grab a bite and drink at one of the delicious restaurants at our market and then shop and stroll through the amazing storefronts and vendors and stay to listen to some music at Embermill's, play a round of cornhole, or have a love letter written by the wonderful Simon Kiefer!

See you at the market! 
 
Make sure to follow our new Instagram page and email Amy@DowntownSB.org if you would like to become a vendor!
Please consider nominating us in the The Best of Santa Barbara® Readers’ Poll!

We would love to get your votes in the Media Category for S.B Based Website & S.B Instagram Follow!

Nomination Period: From June 10 – July 7

Please nominate in at least 20 different categories for your votes to count!