By Serena Guentz
Contributing Writer

A new skate shop in Solvang hopes to build and strengthen the local skate community by creating a space for skaters to buy supplies and apparel, as well as a new place to hang out.

Brett Martinez, owner of the recently-opened Solvang Skate Shop, decided to open the shop after talking with his cousin about how there were not many places for kids to get skateboarding supplies in town, leading to parents having to drive to Lompoc or Santa Barbara for the nearest skate shops.

Electric Premier E-Bikes & More does sell some skateboards, but besides that there are no other full skate shops in Solvang.

“It’s definitely a community thing, not just retail,” Martinez said about Solvang Skate Shop. “A place to hang out, talk, kick back.”

Solvang Skate Shop is currently located at 446 Alisal Rd., Suite 6, however Martinez plans to open a larger, 850-square-foot shop upstairs within the next month after remodeling.

Martinez has been skating for about 30 years and remembers spending a lot of time at skate shops in Goleta. He looks forward to giving back and helping the younger generation of skaters while bringing the community back to “the golden days.”

“There’s a negative take on the skate community,” Martinez said. “But around here, all the kids are super respectful … I just want to give the kids a spot to hang out other than just roaming around the neighborhoods.”

According to Martinez, the average age range of kids coming into the shop is 10 to 16 years old. 

“A bunch of kids have come in and they’re just out-of-their-minds excited that there’s a skate shop in town,” Martinez said. “I had a group of kids from Los Olivos the first day I was open, (they) rode their bikes all the way over here just to come check us out.”

He also said that another day, a group of eight kids were even waiting outside for him to open when he showed up.

“There’s nowhere really to buy skate stuff,” said 14-year-old Austin Boucher, who has been helping around the shop. “I feel like this will be perfect and I know a lot of other kids up here feel the same way.”

Solvang Skate Shop aims to be a full-service skate shop, carrying skateboards, apparel, shoes, hardware, stickers and more. The shop carries items from both bigger, well-known companies and local companies such as Shorty’s, If Skate Co. and Imperfects.

Martinez has been creating a skate team with local kids to participate in skate contests, such as the Central Coast Monster Skateboarding Competition Series in San Luis Obispo County. He said he will sponsor them now, but hopes to help them get sponsorships with bigger companies as well.

As COVID-19 restrictions loosen and allow for it, Martinez will be holding events through Solvang Skate Shop, such as barbecues at the skate park or demos from professional skateboarders to expose more people to skating.

Martinez said that the skateboarding community has grown and become more accessible over time with the availability of tutorial videos on YouTube.

“Skateboarding has come a long way,” Martinez said. “It’s super inclusive now. It wasn’t always like that but now they want everybody involved.”

Solvang Skate Shop is not only for seasoned skaters. New skaters or those interested in skating are welcome in the shop as well, with help available to find the right supplies to get started.

“Part of the skate shop etiquette is you’re always welcome to come hang out,” Martinez said. “Everybody’s welcome here and it’s always cool to come check it out and ask questions.”

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The City of Solvang added an emergency item onto their meeting agenda Monday evening in relation to the recent state shutdown orders stating they will not be actively enforcing the County and State shutdown orders. In their letter to Santa Barbara County, Solvang also requested the County to prioritize education and do no enforcement within the City limits.

“The City is also unique in that nearly all businesses are small and locally owned, and with a great dependence on tourism. Even before the March 19 Executive Orders, the City was active in efforts to first contain the potential spread of COVID, then to mitigate the effects on the community, while constantly planning for economic recovery,” wrote Solvang Mayor Ryan Toussaint. 

Toussaint expressed significant concerns about the latest round of business shutdowns that were expressed by residents, business representatives and the Council.

He added the “city is asking the County to move as quickly as possible to remove Santa Barbara County from yet another California “one size fits all” mistake, which will destroy our community,”. 

“The community of Solvang has done a great job at being mindful, safe and responsible while keeping our local economy going during these challenging times. The current order by the State is ill-conceived, unnecessary and quite frankly negligent when it comes to protecting our community in a safe, balanced and sane manner,” Toussaint said.

The stay-at-home order went into effect at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, and reportedly will last three weeks or more. The order will only be lifted when more than 15 percent of regional ICU beds are available, according to the state. Currently there are only 15 people in the ICU, and 56 in the hospital with COVID-19 symptoms in Santa Barbara County, according to county Public Health officials Tuesday morning during the COVID-19 update at the Board of Supervisors meeting.  (READ THE STORY HERE FOR SUPERVISORS COVERAGE)

According to the Stay At Home order: 

– Gatherings with people outside your own household are prohibited 

– Retail stores, including grocery stores, and shopping centers can stay open with 20 percent capacity.

– Restaurants can be open for takeout and delivery only, no in-person dining

– Bars, wineries and breweries must close

– Places of worship can only hold outdoor services

– Personal care services (hair salons, nail salons, tattoo parlors, barbershops) must close

– Museums, zoos, and aquariums must close

– Movie theaters and family entertainment centers are to close

– Offices can be open for essential workers, but remote work is encouraged

– Medical and dental care, child care, and essential work can continue. 

– Schools can stay open if they are currently operating and have waivers, but the state is discouraging new openings if a county has a novel coronavirus case rate of 14 per 100,000 residents or higher

The Star reached out to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department to see if they will be enforcing the shutdown to which they responded, “The Sheriff’s Office approach to health order violations will be to make every effort to use discretion, education and encouragement to achieve voluntary compliance, but enforcement options will remain a tool to be used in cases of repeat or egregious violations that endanger public safety,” said Raquel Zick, public information officer. 

Thus far, Sheriffs in Riverside County, Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County have all announced that they will not be enforcing the restrictions.

Tuesday afternoon San Luis Obispo Sheriff Ian Parkinson said his department will continue its mission to focus on significant criminal matters. Deputies will not be making traffic/pedestrian stops to determine the comings and goings of citizens during this time. We will not be responding to calls for service based solely on non-compliance with the new order.

One Solvang business owner said that this shutdown might be the death of her business. She decided to remain anonymous, but said “My business didn’t quality for forgivable loans because we didn’t have employees and we are already paying loans that we can barely pay so we couldn’t take on more. Therefore we received no help during the first shutdown and had to rely on the savings I was so adamant about putting aside. The savings are now gone and we are unable to close without closing forever,”. 

“I’ve felt like the aid was only geared towards medium and large sized businesses leaving the smallest businesses to fend for themselves. I was also not awarded any unemployment while we were closed leaving me and my family in a very bad position,” she added. 

In Solvang there have been several businesses that have closed permanently including a restaurant, a wine tasting shop; and a European design shop, according to Solvang Chamber Executive Director Tracy Beard. 

Beard later added Tuesday that while the sentiment is well intentioned from the city, businesses with a liquor license such as wine tasting and breweries cannot open unless for retail only, and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is doing compliance checks. 

“The chamber does not wish to see anyone lose their license. The chamber does not advocate for any wine tasting room to open for tasting, carry out only as retail,” Beard said. 

The City of Solvang did have a micro-loan program of $5,000 specifically for Solvang business earlier this year, to which owners gave good feedback in past council meetings.

City Manager Xenia Bradford updated there were 53 micro loans issued, and 35 have paid it back in full, with 16 making payments and two not paid anything back yet. 

“We are currently not actively re-using paid back funds to issue additional loans. Depending on the economic situation, status of State and Federal assistance programs,  and the stay at home order restrictions, this item may be brought back to Council for re-consideration,” Bradford added. 

The Star did a social media poll if people agreed with or against the latest round of shutdowns to which more than 75 percent were not in agreement. 

To watch the City of Solvang’s meeting visit their YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hralfp2fczE. 

The Star also reached out to the City of Buellton to see if they will be doing something similar to Solvang, to which City Manager Scott Wolfe said they will be talking about the shutdown order at their regular meeting on Thursday. They will be seating the new council and giving Councilman Art Mercado a certificate for his service to the city. 

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A virtual panel discussion titled Elevating BIPOC Business Women: Celebrating Diversity in Santa Barbara is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 19, the Santa Barbara chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO–Santa Barbara) has announced.

The free event, hosted by NAWBO-Santa Barbara, celebrates BIPOC Women Business Owners in Santa Barbara County. It will take place live on Zoom. Panel members include:

Sandra Adu Zelli, Gipsey Hill Bakery; Bany Vargas, La Calenda; Candice Pipersburg-Johnson, Preferred Image/Johnson Events; Lynthia Muller, That Neck Pillow; Lizzy Koetsier, Lizzy Koetsier Branding; Silvia Uribe, TransilPro Linguistic Services; Claudia Cordova Rucker, Estetica Mia; Kuldeep Kuar, Estate Planning & Business Law; and Ashley Reese, attorney. 

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In response to requests from personal care practitioners desiring to move some of their activities outdoors, Governor Newsom announced today that State of California guidelines have been modified to allow some personal care activities to occur in outside locations.  Prior to the issuance of new guidelines, barbershops and hair salons were required by the State of California to remain closed.  State law and regulations required that certain personal care services must occur within an indoor licensed setting. 

Other personal care services, such as nail salon services and massages, are also authorized by the State for re-opening outdoors.  Piercing, tattoo and electrolysis services are still prohibited from re-opening at this time.

The new guidelines outline the State of California’s requirements that must be met before an establishment may re-open in conformance with local regulations.  For more information, visit the County of Santa Barbara’s website at www.recoverysbc.org.

Licensees should check with local zoning and permitting rules which may also apply to outdoor operations.

For general questions about COVID-19 and precautions currently recommended by Santa Barbara County Public Health, residents may call the Santa Barbara County Call Center at (833)-688-5551 or visit www.publichealthsbc.org. 

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U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue applauded the announcement that agricultural producers, for the first time, are now eligible for the Small Business Administration (SBA)’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance programs.

“America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers need the same help that other American businesses need during this unprecedented time,” Perdue said. “This significant new authority signed by President Trump will make a tremendous difference for America’s agricultural community.”

SBA’s EIDL portal has been closed since April 15. However, the Agency is able to reopen the portal today, in a limited capacity, as a result of funding authorized by Congress through the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act. The legislation, which was signed into law by the president one week ago, provided additional critical funding for farmers and ranchers affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In order to help facilitate this important change to EIDL Loan and EIDL Advance assistance eligibility, SBA is re-opening the Loan and Advance application portal to agricultural enterprises only. For agricultural producers that submitted an EIDL loan application through the streamlined application portal prior to the legislative change, SBA will move forward and process these applications without the need for re-applying. All other EIDL loan applications that were submitted prior to April 15 will be processed on a first-in, first-out basis.

For more information, please visit: www.sba.gov/Disaster.

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In this age of electronic communication, letter writing and sending cards seems to be an antiquated idea. But going to the post office and finding a hand-written envelope is surprisingly uplifting to the spirit, a romantic interlude and a throwback to the past. 

Letter writing is a way to connect the hearts of people, most any time, but especially at this time of isolation. The Giving Ink in Solvang has everything one needs to make someone’s day special.

“My background is in the restaurant business, spending 20-plus years managing restaurants. Part of my job was to manage their special events,” said Michelle Castle, owner of The Giving Ink.  

“I always loved the artistic details of the business, the printed menu, place cards, etc. I graduated from UCLA School of Design and details for special events was a way for me to make something functional, also aesthetically pleasing. This naturally led to designing custom invitations and starting my own line of stationery. I enjoyed connecting people through well designed products.” 

Castle moved to the Santa Ynez Valley in 2013 and it was natural for her to continue her invitation and stationery design as the region hosts numerous weddings and events and Castle said she was thrilled to be a part of this industry, opening her store, Honey Paper, in Los Olivos. 

“There were no stationery stores in the area so opening a small store front seemed like a natural thing to do,” Castle said. “The retail portion grew and designing custom invitations became too much as a single mother. My twin girls, one of whom is a special needs child, took a lot of attention and my children were my priority, so I stopped the custom design and expanded my retail portion.”

“Last fall I realized that Solvang may be a better fit for my retail store,” she explained. “In the process of moving I went to Trademark ‘Honey Paper’ and there was something similar already trademarked. The move became an opportunity to start over and really emphasize what was important to me and my business, which is selling quality products that promote a more analog lifestyle – through writing, journaling, etc. The Giving Ink was born.

“I continued to embody a desire to connect the hearts of people through handwriting, illustrations, and a renewed interest in a slower form of communication,” she said. “My shelves and online shop are filled with items to inspire all forms of written correspondence. I offer a curated selection of high-quality products from around the world, including my original watercolors, maps and illustrations, which are printed individually on high quality paper at my boutique. The benefits of incorporating the handwritten note into your life are many and our selection includes items you can share with others and create meaningful connections.” 

Business was doing well in her new location until she was notified that her store must be closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Both of her children were destined for home schooling because of school closures. 

“There have been so many changes at such a rapid speed that sometimes I feel as though I am holding my breath,” Castle said. “I am so proud of how parents have prioritized the well-being of their children and families over all the stress and loss of employment and finances.”  

“It is difficult not only to take charge of our children’s education and well-being mentally, emotionally and physically but to then have to spend numerous hours navigating the web in order to find financial help and information is frustrating,” Castle said. “The task is daunting and like many, 7 weeks into the shut-down, I have not received a single penny from the government stimulus program. 

“I was one of the first to apply to Union Bank for a business loan and for the Paycheck Protection Program, but I’ve heard nothing and have received nothing. I continued looking but I was drowning in the pages and pages to read through, link upon link to follow and applications to fill out only to receive nothing. Who has the time to do that?“

“With my business closed and no money coming into the household the stress began to mount along with my unpaid bills,” Castle continued. “I am actually paying my employee to handle any on-line orders that might trickle in. My business is down 85 percent and as of April 23 there has been no information as to when I can open or how to prepare to open my store again.

“Fortunately, a friend directed me to the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department ‘Stay Well at Home Order 2020-8 which was issued on April 24, which replaces Order No. 2020-7.1,” Castle said. “After searching through the reams of attachments, I fell upon one that spoke about essential businesses with the county that could reopen and #37 referred to ‘online wholesale or retail sales business’ under which my business falls. It stated a list of business that could reopen (under certain safety guidelines). It also listed those businesses who were still to remain shut down. 

“I printed it out to be on the safe side, which was a miracle of sorts, because when I went to retrace where I had found it, to make sure I was following the proper procedures for my employee and my online business and my store operation, I couldn’t remember the steps I had initially taken to find the exact page.  I am more comfortable in the knowledge that I can now reopen my store under the conditions laid out by the authorities. 

“For the moment I’m super excited, but you never know if things will change and if I will be able to find the newest guidelines online. Good luck to everyone. Let’s open, keep everyone safe and get back to business.”

The Giving Ink specializes in stationery, gifts, cards, journals, and high-quality office supplies. It is located at 1607 Mission Drive, Solvang.

“During this pandemic and self-isolation, the need to connect with others has never been so important,” Castle said. “It has broken my heart to close – not just for the obvious financial reasons, but I have had customers needing cards to send love ones.

“The Governor recently listed ‘manufacturing and distribution of paper goods’ as one of the essential businesses. We are not fully open yet, but I am excited to be there again in a meaningful way as we go into the future, perhaps with renewed priorities,” said Castle. “Our products are now all available online, however, we pride ourselves in our quality and believe there is something special about the feel of good quality items as well as connecting with our customers with service and a simple hello.”

For more information, call 805-325-9320 or visit thegivingink.com.

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Montecito Bank & Trust (MB&T) has been actively participating with businesses across the Santa Ynez Valley and the larger Central Coast since early April, as the Small Business Administration (SBA) introduced its much anticipated Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for businesses, organizations and independent contractors across the country. 

On May 5, MB&T announced it has secured $13.5 million for 141 businesses across the Santa Ynez Valley, including $5.9 million for 62 businesses in Solvang. 

The bank plans to participate in the program until the funds are exhausted and is still accepting PPP applications from eligible clients and non-clients across Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. 

While funding is not guaranteed, interested applicants can submit an online request at montecito.bank/contact#WriteToUs and a specialist will reach out to take the application over the phone. Additional information and suggested preparation steps can be found on the website at montecito.bank/PPPresources.

Inspired by her team’s unwavering commitment to helping the communities they serve, MB&T CEO and Chairman Janet Garufis commented “Our goal is to secure as much PPP funding as we are able to for eligible businesses, organizations and individuals across the Central Coast. Our team is prepared to continue accepting and submitting applications until the SBA’s funds are depleted. This is one of the greatest challenges of our lifetime, but our communities will prevail and Montecito Bank & Trust will be there every step of the way.”

In April, Montecito Bank & Trust earned the highest marks from both The Findley Reports and Bauer Financial, two independent services which rate the financial performance of banks. The bank received a 2018 designation of a Super Premier Performing bank by The Findley Reports, and has been designated a Premier Performing or Super Premier Performing bank 34 times since it opened its doors 44 years ago. The bank was also awarded a 5-star, Superior Bauer rating for Dec. 31, 2018, financial data.

Montecito Bank & Trust is the oldest and largest locally owned community bank in the Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Founded in 1975, the bank celebrated its 45th anniversary on March 17 and operates 11 branch offices in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Solvang, Montecito, Carpinteria, Ventura, Camarillo and Westlake Village. 

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In order to celebrate Northern Santa Barbara County’s industry and economic assets, share economic and job impact concerns, and discuss North County opportunities, EconAlliance hosted a team visit to Washington DC the week of October 7^th, scheduling fourteen meetings October 9-11. Participants met mostly with agency offices of importance to North County, in addition to meetings with Congressman Carbajal’s staff and with the Governor’s DC Military Affairs Office. EconAlliance meetings were held in the US Departments of Labor, Commerce, Agriculture, Defense and Transportation, with follow-up teleconferences to be held with these and other agencies/offices. 

Leading the EconAlliance policymaker education/information sessions were Joe Halsell, EconAlliance Board President and CEO of Halsell Builders; Victoria Conner, EconAlliance consultant and Initiatives Director, and John Shoals, EconAlliance consultant. Key stakeholders participating in the DC trip included Holly Nolan-Chavez, Regional Director of Ag, Water and Environmental Technologies at Allan Hancock College; Tracy Beard, Executive Director of the Solvang Chamber, and Glenn Morris, CEO, Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Several of the meetings were aligned with the EconAlliance industry support initiatives of Global Trade, Workforce and Education, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, etc.). Others were held to discuss economic assets such as Vandenberg AFB, or the Santa Maria Public Airport, or common needs, such as broadband.

A key focus of the meetings was discussion of potential opportunities around the Rural Prosperity Initiative, a federal initiative established by Executive Order to help push more federal resources into rural areas. Led by the US Secretary of Agriculture, the Rural Prosperity Initiative has partners in nearly every Cabinet-level department. The Joint Task Force of these agencies have established five priority areas for the Initiative: e-connectivity, economic development, workforce development, quality of life and innovation and technology. 

The greater Santa Maria area, including all of Northern Santa Barbara County, is being identified as a Rural Prosperity area. Allan Hancock College and EconAlliance, organizational leads in this effort, jointly held a Rural Prosperity community conversation in September, and with the USDA are planning a Rural Prosperity Summit for the area in April 2020. It is hoped that North County’s being part of the Rural Prosperity Initiative may lead to various opportunities for North County communities.

EconAlliance is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and cross-industry alliance that fosters industry sector awareness and appreciation in Northern Santa Barbara County. Driving positive impact through strategic initiatives, unique partnerships and creative programs, EconAlliance celebrates the key Northern Santa Barbara County industries that provide jobs and fuel regional economic vitality.

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