Santa Barbara Scrapbooks to Close Its Doors

I'm sorry that this local business is gone. It's always sad when a local business can't make it.

Having said that, I had occassion to visit this shop on three distinct occasions over the years and had poor service. Twice I was sold the wrong item and had a lot of hassle trying to return them even though it was employee error that resulted in my returns.

While I am sure others had different experiences, my point is that if businesses are to thrive in ANY economy, they have to be well run and customer friendly. Even more so for the "little guys."

Regardless, I wish the best to those locals who will be out of work and hope for better days ahead for them.

It's always so sad when we loose a locally owned business in our community. Barbara's shop is truly unique and will be terribly missed by many! Our family counted on it for many school projects and fun ones too! We wish Barbara the best and we'll miss your wonderful, fun shop!!

i believe this is karma's way of getting back at the one who actually owns the store - i hope someone else opens a store who actually treats high paying customers like people instead of objects, who are nothing but an annoyance. I feel bad for the employees, however they were not treated fairly either, can you imagine going for an entire day without food or a bathroom break? plus have to pay to park close to the store, its not a sad day, but maybe a wake up call to the owner...

Make them pay to park close? So there were all handicapped people working there who were unable to walk a few blocks?

It saddens me that Santa Barbara Scrapbooks must close. On the numerous occasions that I stopped into the store, I was treated as a valued customer and friend. The sales staff was always wonderful and professional, and Barbara went out of her way to make each 'experience' in her fabulous store an enjoyable one.

Come on, Santa Barbara...wake up! You need to support your local businesses. Don't shop at the 'big box' stores - shop LOCAL - support your INDEPENDENT retailers.

I think the point being missed here is the fact that commercial rents in this town have continued to go up, even while the economy has tanked. It's completely ridiculous the amount of rent being charged, and I wish the landlords would wake up and realize what THEY'RE doing to the "face" of this town. I believe that SB locals do shop in our locally owned businesses. Greedy landlords are forcing these closures, allowing for the chain stores to move in. They WANT the chain stores, because they'll pay more and they're less liability. There are few landlords in this town with the foresight and compassion to work with these local small businesses while being realistic and reasonable about their rents. Stop the gouging of tenants and you'll stop the landslide of business closures.

Well said, crissyslucky7!! You hit the nail on the head.

Santa Barbara Scrapbooks has been a haven for my family and I for the last 6 years. We have spent numerous hours in this store with her staff and have appreciated every second of it. Not only did Santa Barbara Scrapbooks graciously provide punches and straight edge cutters for my family and I, the employees took the time to teach us how to use products we had never used before. I will be deeply saddened to see this great treasure go. I pray for a miracle, as this store deserves to strive and help others as it has helped me.

Barbara from SB Scrapbooks here, and I just wanted to tell Native 1 that I am truly sorry if he/she experienced any lack of customer service at Santa Barbara Scrapbooks. I have always wanted everyone who walked in the doors of our store to feel wonderful about having been there, and I've encouraged behavior from all my employees that would support that. My employees and I were all very proud to be voted as Runner-Up in the SB Newspress' Reader's Choice Awards for the 'Best Customer Service' category in 2008. Nordstroms legendary customer service won first place, but we felt very thrilled for our little store to have been voted for, and recognized for, our customer service excellence as well.
I have had the pleasure of meeting such an amazing array of truly wonderful people, both customers and employees... and a few who just weren't nice at all. That's life! In these past six years, we've been open over 2,100 days, with the help of about 30 (past and present) employees. We've all seen and learned a lot in this span of time and I recognize that my employees and I are all constantly growing and learning, all of us trying to do our best with each customer, even when it wasn't easy. I have confidence that no one meant for you, Native 1, to have a negative experience with us and I'm sorry to hear about it now.
We have over 10,000 scrapbook/paper arts items, and because our merchandise turns over so quickly (i.e. new products are constantly being introduced), it can be a daunting place for a newbie employee to feel comfortable in their command of product knowledge on all items in the store. It takes a good many hours on-the-job before a new employee really can handle most questions. The majority of my employees are students and they work part-time to fit in with their school schedules.
I am so sorry that you did not receive the assistance you needed to purchase the correct item on your first visit. Just because we're in the process of closing the store, doesn't mean I wouldn't like to still try to rectify your situation if something still needs to be done. I encourage you to call the store (805-962-5099) and request my cell phone number and I'll be happy to talk with you and see what I can do to help you, even now.
To Flagr1, we forgive you for your comments, bless you, and we all wish you happiness in your future endeavors.
To Starshine, Momoffab5, El-Infamador, Briebme, and the others who complimented our store, thank you... and bless you, too! We have loved helping and serving Santa Barbara and will really miss all of the wonderful people we have had the chance to meet! Big hugs to you all!

Barbara
Santa Barbara Scrapbooks

Oh! Thanks to Bella 604, too!
XOXO, Barbara

What a nice thing to do, Barbara, reply to an anonymous commenter to make things right. In all likelihood, she DID have a bad experience, but your response leads me to believe that is rare in your store.

Sorry you have to close shop; good luck in your next venture.

Total bummer, Barbara worked hard and put it all on the line, not many people will ever take that journey. Good luck to all the B's.

When we see a store, restaurant, or other business that is owned and operated by a local resident close we are seeing an end to a dream. Small business owners have a dream and are brave enough to follow it. It is these dreamers that make SB the unique community that it is.

For those of you complaining about customer service, good luck at the large chain craft stores. The large local craft stores are messy with long check out lines, and no one who can help you with a project.

SB Scrapbooks has a talented staff, work space, and equipment that you can use in the store.

Most local small businesses can't take a 10,20,50, per cent hit during an economic downturn. I know that our family has cut back on purchasing all non essentials and are using our money to refill our savings and retirement goals. Sadly this doesn't bode well for "fringe" or novelty businesses. I don't think that spending in general, will ever return to where it was 6 yrs ago. This is a whole new ballgame and the rules are constantly changing.

To El_Informador: no what im talking about is during the winter time the girls had to park in some bad neighborhoods, ones i wouldnt want to walk thru in the dark - maybe you feel comfortable walking around in the dark as a young woman, but i certainly don't. i was stating that the employees could park on the top floor of the garage and the owner could re-imburse them for the entire day.

I am also so very sad to see this terrific store go the way of so many others in SB. My friends and I loved shopping at SBScrapbooks! We were always treated like queens by Barbara and her staff. Regarding the comment from flagr1, however, I do have something to add. I know that Barbara and her staff wanted everyone who visited the store to feel safe and especially those of us who stayed late for Friday Nite Scarpbook Night. I can say this because one time Barbara walked me out to my car because my group had left earlier. I really believe she treated her employees the same way but paying for their parking either on the roof or anywhere in the garage is a bit much to expect of any store owner. It's great if someone has a job where parking is included but I certainly did not consider or expect it from UCSB when I accepted a job there.
Good bye SBS. We love you!

Just Becuase, thanks for your reply to my comment. I appreciate that you did a great job in your business and I wasn't implying that you didn't do a great job the majority of the time. Indeed, I mentioned that I thought it was likely that other people had different experiences.

I did actually try to get in touch with the owner of the store (which I guess now I know is you! :-) the second time I had a problem and I did leave my name and number but nobody got back to me. I was as sure then as I am after reading your reply here that if you had been given my information you would have most certainly called me and put things right. Sadly, the people you had working during the times I visited weren't at all what others here have described. And I can guarantee I'm not one of the small group of unpleasants you met over the years. LOL! I've worked in retail and I know how hard it can be and I was quite friendly to the staff there. Thanks also for your offer to put things right. I have given away the one item that I ended up having to keep and so not much can be done.

I'm sincere in wishing you guys the best. It really is sad to see a business close and I'm sorry this has happened. Best of luck to you in your next adventure!

Thank you to Native1 for your compassion and understanding. You wouldn't have known that I took on a full time job in 2008 to try to fulfill my family's financial commitments when the recession had clearly impacted the store's sales. It's been difficult to keep my finger on the pulse of the store and I'm sorry not to have been connected to you when your issues were occurring.
I am deeply saddened to close the store and to have our family's sweet dream end in this manner, but this recession has negatively impacted so many, some lives far worse than mine, and I'm looking at ways to count my little blessings rather than spend time regretting that the story didn't end differently. I truly appreciate the kindness in your tone and words. I also wish you, and all the friends of SBS, the best of luck and happiness in your future adventures! God Bless!
Barbara,
Santa Barbara Scrapbooks

Barbara,

It's sad when things we put our heart and soul into don't work out. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said "looking at ways to count my little blessings rather than spend time regretting."

It's only natural to have regrets and feel disappointed. But you are right that you have a lot to move on with, even just talking about the fact that you did own a successful business.

I also own my own business and it's HARD. Really, really hard. I think this economy has really changed the way people are living their lives in a way that hasn't happened in a few decades. People aren't buying or doing things in the same way at the moment. That's tough to compete with. Ultimately, it might all end up leading us into a better time, as big change sometimes does.

You sound like a smart, forward thinking person and I think that you can take all that you learned from your business and apply to to the road ahead. That's the thing to focus on, sad though the loss may be.

Having said that, do give yourself some time to get through the emotions that go along with the loss of the business. I know it feels very personal.

Also, for what it's worth, the problems I had in reaching you were a few years ago. I didn't want to leave you with the thought that your full time job and juggling the business had resulted in this particular thing slipping through the cracks.

Again, best of luck!!!!!!

As a downtown worker; I can attest to the parking issues. All of us walk several blocks to find parking that is not restricted by the City's 75 Minute Rules, or the City's "Locals Only Can Park Here" rules, or the City's "Tuesday is Street Sweeping" rules.

A lot of rules. And; they are all necessary I suppose. It's just a fact of life in a downtown environment.

As for the City Lot where SBS is located, sure; Barbara could have paid for parking for her employees there. But; aside from the economic impractability of that...one must remember that the City Lots are for ****CUSTOMERS****. Remember those? If all the businesses downtown had their employees parking in the City lots (Reimbursed financially or not) there would be no spaces left for **CUSTOMERS**. It's bad enough as it is.

Barbara; there are always "vultures" that comment negatively on forums like these. Pay little attention to their comments.

And Barbara; be prepared for those same types to come into your store in the final weeks. Their comments in front of you; to your face and in front of your employees, can be equally hurtful.

Treat them with the same dignity and respect as you have done here; the kindness will drive them crazy :)

Good luck to you, I hope the financial hole is not too deep.

Dan.