State Street in Santa Barbara was a version of the famous Beverly Hills Rodeo Drive. Today, it has a Dollar Tree replacing a 99 Cent Store. It has fallen that much. The big reason is that the city determined it did not want customers in the stores on this famous street. So, the closed the street to cars. Now customers must walk blocks to get to the facilities. Rich people don’t do that—they demand YOU walk, they will take their $100,000 cars.
“A Dollar Tree store has replaced the 99 Cents Only store in downtown Santa Barbara.
The store opened this month at 424 State St. The national retailer offers many items for $1.25.
Nationally, Dollar Tree has struggled in 2024. Its stock has fallen by more than 50%.
According to an article at CNBC, lower-income Americans comprise about 60% of Dollar Tree sales. They are under more pressure to stretch their dollars amid high inflation.”
Policy is Santa Barbara is to go after the poor customer, not the rich customer. This is call suicide by policy/ It will soon join Oakland, San Fran and L.A. in a DOOM LOOP.
BizHawk: Dollar Tree Store Opens in Downtown Santa Barbara
Two Santa Maria auto parts stores are slated to close, hotel bed taxes are up in Santa Barbara, and events are planned for Small Business Saturday
by Joshua Molina, Noozhawk, 11/28/24 https://www.noozhawk.com/bizhawk-dollar-tree-store-opens-in-downtown-santa-barbara/
It’s an upgrade.
A Dollar Tree store has replaced the 99 Cents Only store in downtown Santa Barbara.
The store opened this month at 424 State St. The national retailer offers many items for $1.25.
Nationally, Dollar Tree has struggled in 2024. Its stock has fallen by more than 50%.
According to an article at CNBC, lower-income Americans comprise about 60% of Dollar Tree sales. They are under more pressure to stretch their dollars amid high inflation.
“These shoppers are, therefore, looking for more consumables — like foods and household items — rather than discretionary items, which are typically more profitable,” the article states. “Middle-income and upper-middle-income Americans are also not being forced to trade down to dollar stores as the job market has stayed relatively strong in 2024.”
The store in Santa Barbara, however, was packed this week with shoppers. It offers groceries and merchandise, including toys, school equipment, party supplies and, right now, holiday decorations.
Unlike most downtown stores, the Dollar Tree has its own parking lot with more than a dozen spaces. The 99 Cents Only store occupied the spot for several years, but left the space in March.
A second Dollar Tree store is in the Fairview Shopping Center.
The Dollar Tree store in downtown Santa Barbara sells a variety of merchandise and groceries. Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo
Auto Parts Stores Closing
Two Santa Maria auto parts stores will shut down as a national firm looks to trim operations on the West Coast.
Advance Auto Parts Inc. plans to shut 523 Advance Auto corporate stores, 200 independently owned locations and four distribution centers.
Affected stores reportedly include Advance Auto Parts at 1723 S. Broadway and Carquest Auto Parts at 2150 S. Broadway.
The Santa Maria Advance Auto Parts store next to Smart & Final has signs reading, “Everything must go.”
Combined, the two locations have 18 employees, according to notices the firm provided to the California Employee Development Department.
The company, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, is an automotive aftermarket parts provider serving both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers.
As of early October, Advance operated 4,781 stores primarily within the United States, with additional locations in Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The company also served 1,125 independently owned Carquest branded stores.
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Hotel Bed Taxes Up
Transient occupancy taxes are 1% above budget so far this year in Santa Barbara. The city has collected $14.9 million in overall transient occupancy taxes this fiscal year.
About $13.1 million came from hotels and $1.8 million from short-term rentals, according to the City of Santa Barbara.
The city collected $3.1 million for the month of October.
Kathy Janega-Dykes, president and CEO of Visit Santa Barbara, issued a news release celebrating October’s results.
“In October 2024, the City of Santa Barbara generated $3.1 million in TOT,” Janega-Dykes said. “October 2024 saw a 10% increase over the same month last year, marking the highest collections for any October on record. This continued a five-month trend of record TOT compared to the same months historically.”
Since the beginning of the city’s fiscal year on July 1, TOT collections were up 11% over last year, Janega-Dykes said.
Small Business Saturday
Communities are celebrating Small Business Saturday events 0n Saturday.
“Join us in celebrating and supporting our local businesses throughout the holiday season,” according to a statement from the Downtown Association. “The Shop Small Movement helps connect shoppers with local merchants, fostering a sense of community while encouraging mindful shopping during this festive time.”
Stores are offering a variety of discounts. Among them are Anna Janelle Jewelry, offering 20% off the first 50 orders Friday through Sunday. The Blue Owl is offering 20% off all meals. Cuso’s Creamery is offering $5 single scoops.
