Petco closing at the Santa Barbara Plaza creates second big vacancy

Petco is shutting down its Santa Barbara Eastside location on 19 S. Milpas creating the second big vacancy in that small shopping center.

The location is adjacent to a building now vacant for months where Trader Joes had a 10,000 square foot store before moving up the street to double its size.

Together there will be about 20,000 square feet available in the Santa Barbara Plaza center which is anchored by Rite Aid. It also has Jack’s Bagels and Carl’s Jr.

The center was once a bustling site with difficult parking because of the volume of cars coming and going. Now, many spaces are open regularly.

Petco is reducing prices by more than 50 percent as the closing sale takes place. Special signs about the closing are in the windows, and temporary workers with hand signs are waving them on Milpas Street to attract passersby.

The store has a second Santa Barbara location at 3985 State Street.