Construction on New Read ‘n Post

Two developments this week are impacting the Read ‘n Post, a retail presence for more than 30 years on Coast Village Road in Montecito.

First, construction began over the weekend on a permanent new home for the business. In addition, the opening of a temporary Read ‘n Post Christmas store is set for Thursday.

“Work is underway now on our new store in the Montecito Country Mart, and we expect to take occupancy later this fall,” said manager Jan Hendrickson.

“Until our permanent new store is ready,” she added, “we will operate three temporary locations — the post office, the Read ‘n Post store and our just-opening Christmas store.”

All three temporary businesses are near each other in the courtyard walkway area of the Montecito Country Mart, a few steps from the entrance to Vons Grocery.

“The process has taken much longer than expected,” said Hendrickson, “but we are eagerly looking forward to being in much larger quarters soon. We are grateful for the loyal support of so many friends over the past few months, and we know they will appreciate our return to a more spacious location with a wider selection of cards, magazines and gifts, plus full postal services.”

Two Santa Barbara firms — Young Construction and Winsor Design Associates — are responsible for construction work on the new store, which will be located in the former RiverBlue Salon space. Both firms have experience with other projects in the Montecito area.

The permanent new address for the Read ‘n Post is 1026-B Coast Village Road. Until losing its lease last April, the Read ‘n Post had been located nearby at 1046-B Coast Village Road for more than three decades.