SANTA BARBARA, Calif.—The closing of the Isla Vista Food Coop’s Santa Barbara location has left many shoppers feeling down.
“Seeing something so good go is really sad,” said Atalia Zahrndt, a local shopper. She valued the community connection it provided.
Sonika Biyani noted, “I got to know everyone who works here. It felt like a fun way to connect with my community while shopping.”
The coop cited ongoing financial challenges as the reason for the shutdown. In an online statement, they mentioned, “Expenses remain high, sales are too low, and we can’t operate a second location without risking our stability.”
The space will transition back to Cantwell’s Market and Deli. Local resident Mike Daggett recalled, “When it was Cantwell’s, they had more business and offered a wider variety of salads.”
The new deli owners, including Pradeep Shastri, are enthusiastic about revamping the menu. Shastri plans to feature a special pasta dish with fresh ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, and feta cheese, layering it with grilled chicken or salmon for added appeal.
Shastri also hopes to hire former coop employees, aiming to create a welcoming environment filled with charm and diverse flavors, from Indian to Italian. “We can’t compete with the big names like Costco, but we offer convenience and community,” he emphasized.
The State Street store will officially close on December 26th, while the Isla Vista coop will remain open.
In the wake of the closure, some community members have taken to social media to express their disappointment but also their excitement for the new deli. This mix of nostalgia and hope shows how deeply interconnected local businesses and their customers can be.
Studies show that community-oriented businesses foster stronger local ties and loyalty. A survey by the Local First Alliance found that when shoppers support local stores, up to three times more money stays within the community compared to shopping at larger chain stores.
Small businesses like Cantwell’s highlight the importance of nurturing these community connections, especially in challenging economic times.
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