Losing a Lease in Tough Times puts New Stress on Business Owners Looking to Relocate Fast

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Moving out without much of a plan is not in the playbook for business owners who dread the letter that says they are not getting a lease renewal. But it is happening.

The latest is the Game Seeker on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara.

Owner Ingrid Estrella put out a notice on Instagram with the message saying she is not getting a lease renewal. The store has been there 20 years. She took over from her job as an employee when the previous owner sold it. That was in February of 2020 right before the Covid crisis.

"I think we thought we had more time. And then it kind of just came sooner than we expected," she said. "We are not giving up. I don't believe that this is the end. You know, when we took over this business, the vision was greater than this building. "

She is asking the customers if they know of a new site and has the word out to commercial realtors.

The store has face other economic challenges including the COVID pandemic, but has survived as a locally owned business that is stocked with the latest games evolving into the main stream, while stocking the classics.

Often the store sees extra business during the holidays and when family get-togethers take place.

It even has a game out front for passersby to play.

In the online message, Estrella said she is closing down in a couple of weeks and everything is 30 percent off to reduce the load.

One customer picking up a game, Julian Ricasata said, "for people my age, it's kind of something that's not technological that you can connect together with. And I think something physical helps you mentally, challenge yourself."

There was also a game outside of the store on a table being played by passersby.

In the big picture, tariffs may be yet another concern on operational costs. "There's a possibility we won't have product or access to product because it's so expensive, but we don't know," said Estrella. "And so we're at this crux of, you know, what's our next move? No pun intended, but what is it? 

For now the personal service is still the edge the local store has over the internet purchases. Estrella said,  "because we know our product. We know what it is."

Nearby the owner of Pascucci, Laura Knight has also been told her lease is not being renewed. She will leave in mid-May, but has a new spot in the 1200 block of State Street.

In the meantime, drinks are discounted with meals to keep the flow of customers coming through.

On Milpas St. the longtime fresh fruits and vegetable store, Tri-County Produce was closing at the end of the month. An employee Jaimie Desales and his son are going to purchase it. That was announced late Friday afternoon.

The site will have a future as a housing and market mixed used project based on plans submitted to the city.

In the 900 block, Cookie Plug is closing after it was not able to work out a lease with the city. It had been subleasing from Metropolitan Theatres which had run the Fiesta 5 theatres until selling it off to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival as the new Film Center.