Santa Barbara Arts to Close After 18 Years

By edhat staff

After 18 years, the owner of Santa Barbara Arts is closing up shop and retiring.

Located in the courtyard of Downtown Santa Barbara’s La Arcada plaza, this arts and craft store has been the go-to location for handmade gifts by local artists. You could buy anything from unique gem jewelry to books by local authors and Ashleigh Brilliant’s potshots (arguably the first-ever meme on paper). 

The Independent’s Tyler Hayden recently wrote a story on the uniqueness of this store saying there is “literally something for everyone.”

Longtime edhat readers will remember this store as edhat’s unofficial headquarters where one could buy edhat T-shirts and enjoy the annual March Edness party. 

Santa Barbara Arts owner Lynn Adams

“After many challenges and changes downtown, I have decided to retire. SB Arts has had a good long run for 18 years and survived many ups and downs. The past 2 years have turned things around for us making it impossible to continue year-round. It’s no secret the times are changing,” said owner Lynn Adams.

The store is expected to close at the end of January 2022. In the meantime, they are offering sales and incentives to liquidate their inventory as well as fixtures and displays.

“I am so grateful to all of the loyal locals who kept the store going for 18 years. A huge hug to my angels on TV Hill who saved the store in 2005. Huge Thanks to Peter Sklar who started EdHat and who put me on Twitter in the early days when we were both embarking on new business adventures. All the Edhat parties we hosted…so many great memories. What a fun ride,” said Adams.

From all of us at edhat, thank you Lynn for being one of our longest supporters, we’ll miss your store! 

Visit sbarts.net for more information.