With students scarce, Isla Vista businesses looking for customers, answers
ISLA VISTA, Calif. - Isla Vista businesses are used to slow stretches when UC Santa Barbara or Santa Barbara City College are on break. But the COVID-19 crisis has been an even greater challenge.
Several businesses, including popular burrito restaurant Freebirds, have temporarily closed. The ones that have stayed open have seen barely any business since mid-March.
“Definitely feel lucky that we can be open,” said Troy Yamasaki, general manager at usually-popular coffee shop Cajé.
Yamasaki says the store typically sees sales cut in half during the summer months. But this spring has been much worse.
“We definitely saw an even bigger drop than that," Yamasaki said. "Our sales currently, for like the past couple of months, have been about a fifth of what they normally are.”
Luckily, many food options in town are used to providing take-out meals. Rockfire Grill on Pardall Road, however, is one spot with prime dine-in space that now is covered up and unused.
“You know, pre-Covid, [business] was probably like 75 percent dine-in, 25 percent takeout,” said general manager Rishi Syal. “And we have probably the biggest [dine-in] space in Isla Vista, so we were more known for our ambiance."
Syal also says his business is down to about a fifth of normal.
Isla Vista Community Services District Director Ethan Bertrand is encouraging the greater Santa Barbara community to consider coming to Isla Vista for food, groceries or a quiet place to get away with fewer students around.
“If you have a favorite restaurant from when you were in college, come on by and support them,” Bertrand said. “If you want to shop at one of our local grocery stores and beat the crowds, come on by.
“Every step that we can take to support our local businesses—in a way that’s safe and healthy—really makes a difference.”
There is some concern about the coming months. There are some students on campus now working and finishing the school year online, but apartment leases will renew this summer.
The community is anxious to see how many students move back to I.V. with no summer classes to be held at UCSB, and the current plan for fall classes up in the air.
“I think that a lot of us here in the community are nervous about the impacts to our local businesses that, really, a sustained lower level of the population here could bring,” Bertrand said. “But no matter what, we’re gonna continue to support the businesses that need our help.”
There are encouraging signs as well. The Isla Vista Market grocery store is still managing to stock crucial supplies, and business is at about 80 percent of normal.
Local favorite Woodstock's Pizza has seen sales fall, but students that have stayed in town are still able to work the hours they want.
Businesses or residents looking for resources in I.V. can visit the Isla Vista Community Services District website.
