Lauren Bray
StarCycle Has New Owners
Fitness enthusiasts Hayley and Casey Hall are the proud new owners of StarCycle Santa Barbara, the indoor cycling studio located in the La Cumbre Plaza.
StarCycle, a franchise studio founded in Oregon, opened in 2019 with the Hall’s taking over ownership as of March this year.
Hayley’s journey with StarCycle began just before the pandemic, when she nervously clipped into a bike for the very first time—nearly falling off during that first class. But she stuck with it, and what started as a personal challenge turned into a life-changing transformation. Hayley has since lost 80 pounds, became an instructor, and is now leading the daily operations of the studio.
Hayley and Casey invite the Santa Barbara community to join them in celebrating movement, music, and the magic that happens when you show up for yourself. The couple is excited to continue building on the strong foundation laid by the studio’s previous owners while bringing their own energy and passion to the business.
The MedCenter Will Close This Month After 42 Years
The urgent care facility, The MedCenter, announced it will close on April 30th after 42 years in business.
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.
Over the past 42 years, the MedCenter has cared for thousands of patients. Now these physicians are ready to retire and will be closing their practice.
While being local pioneers of the industry, Santa Barbara City now has three urgent care facilities.
Sephora Moves to Larger Location on State Street
The cosmetic chain Sephora celebrated its grand opening this month at their new expanded location at 733 State Street. The store was previously located in the Paseo Nuevo Mall.
“The relocation of Sephora to a larger, updated space on State Street is a significant addition to our downtown,” said Robin Elander, Executive Director of the Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association (DSBIA). “This move underscores the growing confidence major retailers have in Downtown Santa Barbara and is a testament to the ongoing revitalization efforts we are championing. This larger store will offer an even greater selection of products and services to our community, and we are delighted to welcome them to the district.”
DSBIA is hailing this move as underscoring the ongoing revitalization of downtown Santa Barbara and its appeal to both national and international retailers.
Former Samy’s Camera Building on State Street Sells
The downtown Santa Barbara building at 530 State Street, the former home of Samy’s Camera, has sold for just over $4 million.
It’s a one-story building at 11,450 square feet sandwiched between the Drift hotel and Old Kings Road bar.
Samy’s Camera closed in 2019 after twenty years in business.
Rumored Developments to Nordstrom Building
Nordstrom Residential and Commercial Project
Apparently there’s been some movement on chopping up the building to make it a mixed-use structure with residential units and a commercial spaces. Details on this have yet to be formally released.
Nordstrom closed in 2020 and the tri-level building anchoring Paseo Nuevo was purchased by a group of investment firms the following year.
Bill Meller is a controversial guy, but he did a good friend of mine, who I brought there, a true solid in the early 90’s; treating him almost for free, supplying antibiotics from samples, and referring him to a specialist . I’ll always be grateful to him for that.
Good riddance DR. Meller
I concur!