Bristol Farms construction underway once again
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- It’s been a three-month mystery in the La Cumbre Plaza shopping center until now.
Bristol Farms has finally resumed construction on its store with the hopes of opening in late spring.
While working on several interior and exterior renovations in November, the city ordered the company to halt construction because of unpermitted work.
“They went beyond the scope of their permitted work,” Santa Barbara City project planner Marck Aguilar said. “The city noted that and had to pause their construction so they could revise their plans and resubmit that additional work.”
“A lot of these guys were just kind of a little bit antsy,” Bristol Farms job superintendent Myron Thomas said.” They wanted to get back to work up here and finish the project.”
With a new permit granted, the forty person team is ready to get the job done.
“Now that we’ve cleared all those hurtles, it’s a good feeling to finally be able to get back to work and get this project finished,” Thomas added.
Now that it's clear a grocery store is on the way, the community carries high expectations.
“Just a clean, nice environment,” Goleta resident Linda Williams said. “Yes, cost is a factor but something that feels like a place you want to be.”
The gourmet grocery store, which is replacing the Vons supermarket is also owned by the same company as Lazy Acres Market.
“There’s always items there that are top of the line gourmet quality and just real good food here,” Thomas said.
While people anxiously await the store’s opening, excitement continues to build.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Santa Barbara resident Greta Liedke said. “I’m sure a lot of people miss the Vons that was here and I think it’ll bring a lot of traffic to the mall.”
“We’re really excited to have a grocery store, there has not been one,” Aguilar said. “There’s additional housing that’s gone up and it’s kind of overdue.”
According to Bristol Farms officials, approximately 120 employees are set to work at this store location.
While no opening date has been officially announced, all indications point to the store being ready for business late this spring.
For those looking to apply for a job at this Bristol Farms location, click here.
