Stateside had a very poor location. Few things survive in that location. I personally think it should be a very niche market location or a museum addition.

Harry's Plaza Cafe officially closed? Man that's sad. It seems so many landlords would rather raise take a tax break then keep rents reasonable enough for a business that's been there for decades to stay IN business. There seems to be no business loyalty at all.
I realize a lot of landlords have their own costs to pay, but still. I know someone who works in a building for a company in SB that only uses the upper floor, and they pay $80,000 a month for rent! Good grief!

Really, in my OPINION Santa Barbara is shooting itself in the foot with the high rents and real estate. Raising the rents/costs so much forces more people to move out then move in, unless they're practically celebrity-rich, or at least well off enough that a million dollars for a home is pocket change. I moved in 2000 after spending more then a year looking for a room to rent where I could have my dog (it's not a terribly pet friendly town for renters either) that was less then $1000 a month. And that was almost ten years ago.

I grew up in SB, and while I think it's still beautiful, the whole tone of the city has changed. It used to have a sort of "small town" feel that made it homey and comfortable. It has become so pretentious (I mean, come on, a Tiffany's and a restaurant with Valet parking in La Cumbre Plaza?!?) and snobby in so may ways, trying to become the new Beverly Hills, and it seems that if someone can't afford to live or be in business in SB, well, that's their tough luck and they can just move out. It's driving a LOT of people out, into Lompoc and other areas. I have several friends in Lompoc (and know of many others), and they all commute to SB for work, having moved out of SB because of the costs.

Yes.
I am bummed that I realized Hummingbird Cafe is replacing one of my favorite coffee shops, Java Jones.... tho I didn't make it over there much...
But I do remember either a vegan or organic restaurant that used to be on State like 10 yrs ago, and it closed, not terribly popular, I don't know for sure why but I suspect that type of restaurant will do much better now...

and yes, good news, isn't it? So *very* opposite of everything we are hearing about on corporate news. I really wish more were being broadcast on the upside. Not to give false hope, but a more balanced and realistic view of the economy, and if there is some hope, so what? Wasn't that what everyone liked so much about Obama's campaign? Does that only last thru inauguration day? We need it, it's not as if over 90% of us weren't still employed and no one has any business venturing ideas or plans any more..