The Eddy opens to fill a downtown Santa Barbara neighborhood store need with food items and essentials

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Bags are filling up and neighborhood stores may be returning to fill a local need."On the corner of De la Guerra and Santa Barbara street in downtown Santa Barbara,  The Eddy has flowed in.
The co owners are from a retail clothing store  nearby and saw this opportunity
"Coming from San Francisco where every city block has something of that nature. i wanted to kind of fill that need and also make it a place of discovery  has been really fun  and then talking to the community to see what they want on the shelves," said the co-owner of The Eddy, Alex Suhadolnik
For the area with both residential, government business community workers, "Jen Steinwurtzel the other co-owner.  She also owns the Jake and Jones clothing store nearby.
In The Eddy you will find a selection that is just right for the area, and able to fit into the simple space.

Suhadolnik said, "so we have like your imported tin (can) fish. We have your artisanal popsicles, there's been a huge draw there, a lot of people coming in for those." 

One of the first customers of the day popped in from her mail box nearby.

"I bought some goodies and things I have never tried and some unique items," said Hope Zweig
Some of the items are highly sought after by chefs and foodies

Steinwurtzel pointed to a shelf and said,  "the Rancho Gorda beans over there.  People come in and freak out about it and  there's a wait list. I am not the best chef but we have heard a lot about  those beans!"

In addition to items you may know and items unique to this store you will also find some locally picked produce in baskets and in bowls.   Tuesday there were avocados, yellow and green zucchini, onions and large garlic bulbs.

"Kind of in the moment,  a tight curation of fresh produce.  We are working with local farms  Tutti Fruit is one, Farm Cart organics," said  Suhadolnik.

During the pandemic more small producers emerged, and this is one of the outlets where their products are emerging.
"A lot of people started making these small business food products," said Steinwurtzel.

"It reminds me a little of Europe ya know it has more of a a local feel.  Old school.  You knew the people when you walked in," said Zweig.

 It may be the right idea at the right time with a throw back feel ....

Steinwurtzel said, "I do think these small business that are supporting the city are important I feel very passionate about more opening up. I think this is an important moment for Santa Barbara and we are happy to be part of it"

Steinwurtzel said her store Jake and Jones was named after her kids.
Suhadolnik named the Eddy after her child.