Biz News: Jensen Music Closing After 52 Years, Two Goleta Tech Companies Acquired, and More

Here’s the latest in Santa Barbara business news, non-food related. A beloved music store that’s been in Santa Barbara for over a half-century has closed, two tech companies based in Goleta were separately acquired by larger companies, the MedCenter never closed (hooray!), World of Magic is temporarily back for Halloween, a new art gallery by a famous artist opened on State Street, a local independent bookstore is collaborating with a beach resort, and a historic downtown hotel has completed renovations and added a new bar.

Read all the details below.

Jensen Music Store is Closing After 52 Years in Business

A handwritten note on the front door announces that Jensen Music is closing. The operators will still be in the store on Fridays from 11a-5p for customers to pick up repairs and consignments. 

“Thank you for an amazing 52 years!” the note reads.

Founded in 1973 by Chris Jensen, this “mom and pop shop” at 2830 De La Vina Street has been a mainstay for musical locals. The full-service musical instrument shop offered guitars and other stringed instruments, along with amps and many other accessories. They also did repairs of all kinds and offered music lessons too.

The closure will surely break some hearts and leave a void in the De La Vina shopping center.

Goleta-Based SIRAS Systems Acquired by Medical Billing Technologies

Medical Billing Technologies (MBT), a company specializing in California education reimbursement and compliance, announced Wednesday it has acquired SIRAS Systems, the state’s second-largest and fastest-growing provider of web-based special education software with headquarters based in Goleta.

This acquisition allows MBT to offer the first commercially available, all-in-one system that combines IEP management, CALPADS reporting, and Medi-Cal reimbursement all in one unified platform.

The company states their platform eliminates the disconnect between documentation and reimbursement, providing a more straightforward path from student support to reimbursement for educators. 

SIRAS has over 25 years of experience in providing support to special education departments across the state, and is used by more than 190 districts and 16 SELPAs (Special Education Local Plan Area).

“Educators and school administrators are stretched thin,” said Brian Marcontell, Vice President, SIRAS Systems. “This integration gives them one place to manage IEPs, track services, and to feel confident that their districts are reimbursed for what they’re providing. With SIRAS’s goal-writing tools, CALPADS support, and centralized tracking integrated with MBT’s compliance platform, it clears a path for educators to focus less on paperwork and more on students.”

With this acquisition it’s unclear if the SIRAS Systems headquarters will remain in Goleta.

B. Braun Acquires True Digital Surgery

True Digital Surgery is a Goleta-based company specializing in digital robotic-assisted 3D surgical microscopy. On Friday, it was announced the company has been fully acquired by B. Braun, a leading medical technology company with over 64,000 employees based in Germany.

Before the acquisition, B. Braun held a minority stake in True Digital and the decision to fully acquire allows B. Braun’s surgical division Aesculap to secure the expertise of the True Digital team, focused on the technological advancement of Aesculap AEOS^®, one of B. Braun’s core medical products used in neurosurgery, spinal surgery, and ENT surgery.

“This merger with such a highly respected healthcare organization as B. Braun represents an exciting new milestone for True Digital Surgery and is a natural extension of the successful partnership we’ve enjoyed for several years. The combination of our groundbreaking technologies with B. Braun’s access to the global healthcare market represents an incomparable opportunity for both companies to further improve the lives of patients and medical professionals the world over,” said Aidan Foley, former True Digital CEO and Chairman of the Board.

B. Braun plans for True Digital to remain as a technology hub at its Goleta location. The acquisition will allow True Digital and its employees to focus on their core competencies, innovating and integrating advanced technologies.

MedCenter Stays Open After Closure Announcement

After the announcement that The MedCenter on Upper State Street would close earlier this year, the facility remained open thanks to a new generation of physicians.

In 1983, Doctors William Meller and Richard Huffard leased a building at 2954 State Street, opening the very first Urgent Care facility in Santa Barbara.

Physicians within the practice stepped forward to ensure the delivery of physician-led urgent care, reversing a previous decision to close.

“We are very glad to be able to continue serving Santa Barbara, as we have for the past 42 years,” says Wiliam Meller, MD, owner and operator of The MedCenter. “We know how important it is to provide accessible, comprehensive medical care, and we are fully dedicated to meeting the community’s needs.”

Dr. Jesus Fandino, a valued physician at The MedCenter and a Santa Barbara native, will be taking a leading role in ensuring the continuity of care for our patients. “I’m deeply committed to this practice and to serving the community I call home,” says Dr. Fandino. “We’re here to provide the care you need — now and in the future.’”

Costume Store Pops Up for Halloween

The former State Street location of CVS is now “World of Magic,” at least until Halloween.

The seasonal costume and accessory store will be temporarily located at 1109 State Street in Santa Barbara through November 1st. 

The current store hours are Monday through Saturday 11 am to 7 pm and Sundays 11 am to 6 pm.

3D Studio Gallery Opens on State Street

Internationally renowned 3D artist Charles Fazzino opened his “3D Studio Gallery” at 1011 State Street in downtown Santa Barbara with a ribbon cutting last month.

“I am delighted to be opening my new location for 3D Studio Gallery on State Street. There is nowhere else in the country I would rather have the one art gallery that I own and that exclusively shows my work,” said Charles Fazzino from his New York Studio. “Santa Barbara has always welcomed me with open arms. It has been my second home for decades and I hope you can come join me to celebrate the opening of our new location.”

‘We are thankful for the longtime contributions of Charles Fazzino and the 3D Studio Gallery to our Santa Barbara community and are excited for what is store for the new gallery location downtown,” shared Robin Elander, Executive Director of the Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association.

Learn more at fazzino.com

Godmothers Bookstore and Rosewood Miramar Beach announce new literary partnership

Summerland’s new’ish independent bookstore and gathering space, Godmothers Bookstore, has partnered with the Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort in a project called “Godmothers Literary Society at The Manor Bar.”

A new space inside the Rosewood Miramar serving custom cocktails with “library-inspired” interior and a literary themed menu titled “Chronicles of Cocktails” will feature a monthly speaker series open to both hotel guests and the larger community. The gatherings will take place within The Manor Bar’s library featuring intimate author conversations and literary events, curated by the Godmothers team.

In addition to the speaker series, the partnership will also include a quarterly book club also occurring within The Manor Bar and Reading Hours open to all from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM daily. The bar transforms into a reading and working space, featuring a selection of Godmothers titles—available to browse, borrow, or purchase.

The resort has also installation of a custom Little Library, modeled after the Godmothers storefront and filled with rotating titles on loan. In turn, the resort will join select Godmothers events off-property throughout the year.

To learn more, visit: https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/miramar-beach-montecito/dining/the-manor-bar 

Hotel Santa Barbara Announces the Completion of Renovations and Addition of Lobby Bar, 1926

Hotel Santa Barbara, the historic 75-key hotel on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, announced the completion of its series of renovations designed to “blend its historic charm while elevating modern comforts.” They also added a new lobby bar called “1926,” a nod to the hotels’ history and the Roaring Twenties.

The hotel states that 1926 pays homage to the year Hotel Santa Barbara reopened its doors following the 1925 earthquake. The hotel first opened in 1876 and has been a fixture in the 500 block of State Street ever since.

The renovations also included guest rooms with new furniture and carpeting, freshly painted walls and upgrades in the en-suite bathrooms. The hotel’s first floor conference-style meeting space has received updated amenities, and new furnishings as well.

“We’ve been eagerly anticipating the completion of these improvements, and they have exceeded our expectations,” said Chris Cline, General Manager of Hotel Santa Barbara. “With the debut of 1926, we’re not only embracing the evolving needs of today’s guests but also honoring the hotel’s history.”

1926 will be open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The menu features breakfast items like local pastries, fresh pressed juices and handcrafted sandwiches, and shared plates for dinner, including chorizo stuffed dates, burrata with balsamic glaze, avocado and salmon toast, and citrus vanilla crème brûlée. It also has a full cocktail, wine, beer and cider list.

For more information, visit www.hotelsantabarbara.com. and www.1926santabarbara.com.