Just weeks before its looming closure date, Tri-County Produce owner John Dixon — who announced that he would be retiring at the end of this month — revealed that a deal has been worked out to sell the business to two longtime employees, Jaime Desales Sr., and his son, Jaime Desales Jr., who will be leading the Santa Barbara mainstay into the future.
Dixon, whose father, Jim, took over the business in 1985, said the transition was a strikingly familiar move considering Tri-County Produce’s history of family ownership. The shop started its life as a produce wholesaler in the ’50s and ’60s, until Virgil and Marie Elliot took over and opened the doors to the public in 1976. The Dixon family were the next stewards of the shop, and for 40 years, they helped Tri-County Produce grow as a local staple for fresh fruit, vegetables, and specialty foods.
Dixon said he was looking forward to passing the torch over to Desales Sr., who has been an employee with Tri-County for 26 years, and his son, known as “Mito,” who will both carry on the store’s tradition of family and community values.
“Seeing Jaime Sr. and [Jaime] Jr. take over the reins is one of the most rewarding moments of my career,” Dixon said in a statement. “Jaime has been an integral part of this business for over two decades — he knows it inside and out.”
“I know the market is in excellent hands,” he continued. “I’m truly grateful that the store will remain open, continuing to serve the community that means so much to me.”
Desales Sr. said he considers Tri-County Produce as a second home. “To now have the opportunity to lead it with my son by my side is both humbling and exciting,” he said.
The property is in the middle of a proposed redevelopment headed by real estate developers and co-property owners Austin Herlihy and Chris Parker, who said they did not hesitate to support the new father-son duo.
“We’re excited to see this local institution keep its doors open with longtime employees at the helm,” Herlihy said.
“There’s no better way to preserve the spirit of Tri-County Produce than by entrusting it to the people who played a big part in building it.” said Parker.
Tri-County Produce will remain open while the development, a 53-unit residential building behind the store, moves forward to construction. The Desales family will take over in the next 30 days.
“This opportunity wouldn’t be possible without the support and encouragement from John Dixon, Mr. Herlihy, and Mr. Parker and their partners,” said Desales Jr. “We’re incredibly grateful, and we’re committed to continuing the tradition of offering the freshest produce and the best service in town.”
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