There’s no shortage of ice cream parlors downtown, but hopes are high that the latest entry could put a cherry atop a revival at State Street’s south end.
The Ghirardelli Chocolate & Ice Cream Shop opens Saturday at 509 State St., offering boxes of chocolates and its signature hot fudge sundaes. The debut marks the San Leandro-based chain’s 19th location in California and fuels a business boost downtown.
“We’re excited to plant roots in this beautiful community, creating a place to gather with friends and family over an ice cream sundae or enjoy a sweet treat while on vacation,” said Lacey Zane, Ghirardelli’s vice president of restaurant and retail. “With Ghirardelli’s rich history in California, this beautiful location on Santa Barbara’s State Street is the perfect place for us to expand our vision.”
The formal grand opening ceremony is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. Monday. The first 100 people in line will receive a free hot fudge sundae, the chain’s officials said.
After that, the miniature version of the sundae will be offered at $5 from 4 p.m. until the store’s close at 10. Ghirardelli has been a San Francisco institution since 1852.
At a time when downtown Santa Barbara is struggling with vacant storefronts, the chocolate shop marks a significant step forward for the city. The nationally known chain could spark more companies to take a look at downtown as well as attract locals and tourists in search of something comforting and familiar.
Ghirardelli takes over a storefront formerly occupied by Pascucci, the venerable Italian restaurant that moved to 1230-A State St. last year. After 32 years as a downtown fixture, though, Pascucci’s owners announced it would close forever in February.
The ice cream parlor fills in one of the last open storefronts in a block heavy with some of the city’s top restaurants.
Ghirardelli could be an exciting addition to State Street, appealing to locals and tourists alike, said Robin Elander, executive director of the Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association.
“It’s going to bring new energy to downtown overall,” Elander said.
City officials have struggled in recent years to manage the downtown area. It currently is working on a State Street Master Plan and whether to open the street back to vehicles. The city closed seven blocks of State Street to cars at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although the city has made some tweaks, much of the street now remains a boulevard for electric bikes. Outdoor dining has moved to the sidewalk, as have most of the pedestrians.
Also, the city is attempting to redevelop the Paseo Nuevo mall and turn it into housing, but that process has been tangled by conflicting community opinions.
City Councilmember Meagan Harmon, whose district includes State Street, said she’s “absolutely excited” about Ghirardelli’s arrival. The storefront “looks gorgeous” and while she believes it will become a strong tourist draw, it also will be a nice family destination for Santa Barbara locals as well.
“I have three young children, and they were over the moon” at the sight of the new parlor, she said.
Aron Ashland, whose restaurant The Cruisery anchors the south end of the 500 block of State Street, said he’s taking a wait-and-see attitude about Ghirardelli’s arrival.
“I’m on the fence. I have no idea how it’s going to do,” Ashland said. But he added, “I’m excited about anyone who will bring life to this block.”
Though the block is closed to cars, the bike lane down the middle of State Street is deterring some shoppers and diners who are scared by some rider’s antics. Indeed, on Thursday, bikes were whizzing by, and one teen was pulling wheelies in the pedestrian zone.
Yet State Street remains a popular destination, with no shortage of places to buy ice cream. Among them are Cuso’s Creamery in the 600 block, McConnell’s in the 700 block and Mister Softee in the 900 block.
Even Insomnia Cookies, a block south of the new Ghirardelli store, also scoops ice cream. Manager Matthew Soto said he’s in favor of anything that could spur business overall on his end of State Street.
He’s also not worried about the competition. His store focuses on a “different crowd,” staying open till 1 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
“We are big on late-night delivery,” he said.
