7-Eleven is moving into Downtown Santa Barbara

Talks around town about a 7-Eleven store moving into an empty storefront on the corner of State Street and Ortega Street is partially true.

The Downtown Organization of Santa Barbara says the company that owns the property confirmed it will turn part of the 5700-square foot building on 700 State Street into a 7-Eleven store and will look for other tenants to share the space.

“It’s not the right place for it,” said Tom Judah, employed by a business on State Street.

According to Santa Barbara City planner Renee Brooke, the planning department has yet to see an application filed for the building that has been vacant for awhile. It was previously leased to Panera Bread and a restaurant called Left At Alburquerque. However, 7-Eleven does fit existing zoning and land-use designations.

Not everyone is a fan of 7-Eleven moving into Downtown Santa Barbara, especially on State Street.

“7-Eleven is associated with I hate to say it, but ruckus. It’s going to be late night probably 24 hours for things that you can find at a million other places around here,” said Judah.

Some residents say they’re concerned about an influx of traffic, parking issues, increase in homelessness and crimes involving alcohol-intake. However, there are some residents who think the downtown corridor needs to change and accepts the business moving in.

“I think it would be good for people who work on State Street. I think it would create a lot of traffic, with more foot traffic, so I think the businesses that down here. It would actually help their businesses,” said Andrew Seanez, a Santa Barbara resident.

Though, Seanez does believe 7-Eleven should have closing hours so there people don’t loiter and solicit nearby.

NewsChannel 3 is waiting to hear back from the agent who is charge of the property listing.