Biz News: Bungalo805 Grand Opening, Bicycle Bobs Closes After 40 Years & More

By Lauren Bray

A new social club for parents and littles officially opens this week, Bicycle Bob's closed after 40 years, the Lobero Theatre celebrates 150 years, and more.

Here's the latest roundup of business news on Santa Barbara's south coast:

Bungalo805 Hosts Grand Opening Events

The private social club for both parents and children is opening this week with a series of fun events.

Bungalo805 is the brainchild of Erin Kanaley, a mom of twin toddlers who created the space for exhausted caregivers and active kids. She bills it as a "sophisticated gathering place where Grown-Ups don’t have to compromise and Littles can be themselves."

Kanaley has thought of it all, a chic "boobie room" for nursing moms, a cafe space serving food and adult beverages, mini fridges stocked with kid-friendly snacks in various locations, comfortable plushy seats, and a variety of entertainment options for all ages. The open concept space is specially designed and sectioned so adults can keep a birds-eye view of knee-high bipeds who are sectioned off by enclosed play areas.

Bungalo has partnered with a variety of family-friendly organizations to provide enrichment classes such as YellowBird music, My Gym, and Santa Barbara Dance Arts, to name a few. While kids are busy learning, adults are free to get a massage or chiropractic adjustment on site. 

The official opening date is Wednesday, February 1st with special events running through February 12th at its newly renovated located, 28 W. Figueroa Street. Discounted guest passes are available all week at $15/day.

Bungalo805 is currently offering accepting applications for membership, learn more here.

Bicycle Bob's of Santa Barbara Closes, Trek Bicycle Takes Over

Julia and Bob Zaratzian at Bicycle Bob's first location on Upper State Street (courtesy photo)

The beloved two-wheel specialty store announced earlier this month they're closing after nearly 40 years in business. Owner/operators Bob and Julia Zaratzian broke cyclists hearts after announcing their retirement on social media.

“We are proud to have served the Santa Barbara cycling community for all these years and so pleased with how much cycling has grown,” they said. “The future is bright. However, we are ready to leave the business end of cycling to have more time to enjoy being with our growing family and, of course, riding together.”

Their first shop opened on Upper State Street that ultimately led to their much larger location on Kellogg Ave in Old Town Goleta.

Trek Bicycles will take over the business making a statement on social media, "same helpful staff, same great gear, with a few exciting new updates."

“We would like to sincerely thank you all for being a part of our lives and supporting Bicycle Bob’s,” the Zaratzian's wrote. “We are honored that you have chosen our local family business for 31 consecutive years in the Independent’s Best Of readers’ poll. We appreciate each of you who have shown up for our community fund raisers, weekend rides, clinics and special events. It has been an awesome ride. We will miss seeing you in the store, but we hope to see you on the road!”

Lobero Theatre Celebrates 150th Anniversary

Lobero Theatre (courtesy photo)

Originally founded as Jose Lobero’s Opera House in 1873, the Lobero is the oldest continuously operating theater in California, and the fourth oldest performing arts theater in the country.

Now in 2023, the theatre is celebrating its 150th anniversary this February with a special intimate performance on February 21 by Jack Johnson, the multi-platinum-selling singer/songwriter, UCSB graduate, and local resident.

A second special peformance by David Crosby on February 22 was cancelled after it was announced he passed away this month. 

The pre-anniversary celebrations began when the Lobero Theatre created an Ovation program for its 2022/23 season. The season includes performances from acts celebrating special anniversaries of their own, like Los Lobos in its 40th year, Preservation Hall Jazz Band at 50, and Los Romeros/The Romeros Guitar Quartet on its 60th anniversary.

For more information on the Lobero and the Ovation season: https://www.lobero.org/ovation/

SkyFC Announces Charitable Foundation

Santa Barbara Sky FC, the area's first professional football club we reported on last summer, recently announced the launch of its own charitable foundation.

The club states SB Fundación Cielo will give back to the community and make a positive impact through the power of soccer. It will focus on providing support for disadvantaged children and families through food insecurity programs, education, health, and wellness initiatives.

SB Fundación Cielo will also provide scholarships for underprivileged youth, supporting the development of soccer players, programs and coaching in underserved areas in the community.

“We are proud to use this platform to raise awareness for critical social and charitable needs in our community,” said Debbie Moore, the founder and Chair of SB Fundación Cielo. “Soccer has the ability to bring people together and make a real difference. We are proud and excited to bring this opportunity to our beautiful community.“SB Fundación Cielo committed to using the beautiful game to make a positive impact in our community and we are excited to see the difference that the charitable arm of Santa Barbara Sky FC will be able to make in our community.”

Debbie and her husband, Peter Moore (founding investor of Santa Barbara Sky FC), have a history of harnessing the power of soccer to make a positive impact on communities. The Peter Moore Foundation, a Liverpool-based charity, has supported over 18 different causes since its founding.

SB Fundación Cielo will kick off with a series of fundraising events in which all proceeds will go towards supporting the foundation’s initiatives in the community. 

For more information about the football club and foundation go to santabarbaraskyfc.com

Urban Outfitters Building For Sale

Photo courtesy of Radius Commercial Real Estate 

The large retail building at 624 State Street is currently for sale, or a net leased investment, at $8.9 million.

The single-level retail building was custom designed and built for Urban Outfitters in 1999 and has remained the only tenant since the building’s completion. The 10,000+ square-foot structure features a sweeping, open floorplan with six skylights and large State Street facing windows. 

Radius Commercial Real Estate reports Urban Outfitters has a lease through May 15, 2025 at $37,623.17 per month.

Email info@edhat.com to have your business news featured in our next roundup.