Aaron Brothers closing Santa Barbara and other local stores

Aaron Brothers art and framing stores, including several on the Central Coast, are closing.

Signs went up last week and shoppers are walking out with purchases at up to half off or more. The doors are expected to be closed by summer 2018.

The retailer is owned by Michaels, from Texas.

The Aaron Brothers store on State and Cota Streets has been a fixture there for decades. The closure comes at a time when the downtown Santa Barbara business district is reinventing its look due to more than 25 business closures, (as of the recent count). Nearby there are multiple sites available for lease including thousands of square feet at the former locations for Macy’s, Tonic, Blush, Wolf’s Head and Panera Bread.

There are also local Aaron Brothers stores in Camarillo, Ventura, San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria going through closing sales.

There are 94 stores remaining in the chain, after some closures last year.

Michaels will pick up some of the services in the future including framing at its 1,200 stores nationwide. Online, it is already offering service at up to 70 percent off.

For more information, visit https://www.aaronbrothers.com.