Ten local businesses collaborate to offer a ‘Vintage Crawl’ in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -  Multiple locally owned businesses will hold a "Vintage Crawl" this Saturday as a way to help each other and share their locations with shoppers looking for something unique or special.

Each business has displays loaded with something colorful, one-of-a-kind or retro.

They feature furniture, clothing, specialized decor and art along with signs and books.

The event has also been described as a "Vintage Treasure Hunt." It's expected to draw many people who are both browsers and buyers.

It was coordinated by Faitell Attractions which recently moved off State Street in downtown Santa Barbara to a new location a few blocks away on Canon Perdido Street near Chapala. There is a broader reach in the new site with several vendors within the walls as part of a united selling space.

Owner Lisa Faitell said, "we all know each other and support one another and it is actually a very friendly collaborative experience."

  Overall the businesses on the crawl are in and around Downtown Santa Barbara and the Funk Zone. Some are off the beaten path.

Faitell says,  "people are very into vintage right now and re purposing is really the word of it and looking for unique pieces whether it's clothing, or furniture lighting art is a big one."

The stores will often catch your eye with their displays, give you an idea for new decor or get your interested in a retro outfit.

Kendale Schoen is at The Story another one of the businesses involved.  She held up a leather jacket that looked like it could be from 30-40 years ago.  "This one we actually yesterday in a photo shoot. A cool 80's look," she said.

At The Story, there are racks of clothes offering  choices for special events or just to take on a new look.

Schoen said, "we love for people to come in during Fiesta we've got  so many cool options.   Or if you just have a party during the weekend. We had a guy come in who was having a Boogie Nights party  and we dressed him for that and it was really fun."

One of the more popular fashion items are previously worn boots, some with creative deisgns.

More and more sellers are saying whether it's furniture, clothing or things from days gone by, "there's a buying public out there."

Each of the stores plans to have specials, and some will have music and snacks for the shoppers on the trail.

Chelsea Hall with Faitell Attractions says she will tap into the customers vibe or needs when they come in and show they what their collective has on display.

She says sometimes it's there and sometimes it is somewhere nearby.   "We really want to get these businesses the respect and there's no real competition there.  We feed off each other and we want to bring people back in. "

Hall often wears something at the store that was off their racks, to show the look to the customers.

Locally owned businesses have curated this kind of special event to help each other and remind the shoppers they are still open, especially after a soggy start to the year, and impacts from other weather factors.

Faitell says, "I think it is extremely important to keep the boutique nature of Santa Barbara.  Small business owners.   That's what people come here for."

Many of the sites will have live music, special discounts and wine.

Participants include: Faitell Attractions, located at 127 W Canon Perdido St will be featuring live music, special discounts and refreshments during the event. The other participating businesses are: The Vintage Fox at 609 Chapala St, Antique Alley at 706 State St, The Blue Door at 4 E Yannonali St, Urban Flea Market at 729 State St, The Art of Consignment at 617 E Gutierrez St, Old Town Antiques at 33 W Anapamu St, Architectural Antique Salvage at 726 Anacapa St, SB Mid Mod at 223 Anacapa St, and Eclectica Pop Up Boutique at 121 W. Mission St A