Edhat Reader
January 18, 2024, 10:30 am
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28 Comments
Does anyone know why the Harbor Restaurant on Stearns Wharf is temporarily closed?
There’s no information on their website but Google Reviews say it’s closed and the restaurant laid off all their employees.
Apparently they were promoting a Christmas dinner feast and then cancelled it last minute.
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Not sure if this is relevant but the 12-14-2023 Noozhawk states: “The team is renovating the downstairs Harbor restaurant in phases to give the space a “fresher look,” with new paint and carpet.”
Here:
https://www.noozhawk.com/bizhawk-new-owners-have-big-plans-for-santa-barbaras-iconic-harbor-restaurant/
New owners so not sure what the “layoffs” part is but there Facebook psge is still up (I don’t have an account so can’t verify what is stated past the initial page?
https://www.facebook.com/theHarborRestaurantSB/
Hi guys, thank you for asking. Yes, we are renovating the restaurants in this large building on Stearns Wharf but working with the City to get permits issued was more involved than anticipated. Unfortunately the building has been unkept for many years and deferred maintenance led to a massive need to remodel. This was complicated by major water damage and flooding during heavy rains. We stayed open over the holidays as much as we could; accommodated as many holiday parties as possible; and hosted a buffet for the Parade of Lights; but the need to fix real health and safety concerns was too serious to keep going. We only laid off staff as needed and to help them get unemployment benefits. Longboards was open until a few days ago. Now, we are working hard to get the City and Health Department requirements satisfied to reopen as soon as possible. Of course we want our staff working, and we want the restaurants to be open to locals and visitors who love dining on the pier, so we are moving as quickly as the City will let us. We hope you enjoy the new look, food, and feel when we finish and re-open.
Yes, this is exactly what is happening. It was posted on a different Facebook page, around the middle of December, that they cancelled all reservations and laid off all employees due to starting a renovation of the entire property. Employees appeared to have been caught off guard with it being so close to Christmas, and were trying to find employment asap. Many people were upset with their Christmas Day reservations being cancelled kind of last minute.
I cannot be more excited for their planned renovations — my birthday is August, so I’m just hoping it will reopen in time for me to order my favourite $22 burger with a side salad instead of fries in celebration. I bet that the cost of the reno will mean they no longer do a free birthday ice cream, but that’s ok!
Bizhawk 12/14/23
Attorney John Thyne III, his wife, Olesya Thyne, Gene Sanchez and his wife, Carolina Jimenez, have purchased The Harbor Restaurant and Longboard’s, and they have plans to elevate the restaurant to new levels.
Unfortunately, this sounds like another rich persons’ hobby/ego project that will flounder from lack of expertise. The restaurant business is unforgiving.
The business and general community will not let the Harbor Restaurant fail, and Mr. Thyne, even though I’ve criticized him, has connections to money and knowledgeable people. The Harbor Restaurant will not fail — not with that location.
I had a lovely Christmas work lunch there, that I obviously still remember and treasure, in the late 80’s. lol, yeah, I’m ancient. But I was very young then too.
I’ve also had appalling service at Longboard’s, where one does not expect much, years ago.
It’s pretty bad when you can’t even get paper napkins from your server!
Or have to explain to them what a simple drink is. But that was years ago.
I never had these issues at Brophy’s.
There’s a reason I haven’t eaten at the Harbor or had a drink at Longboards in many, many years, even prior to the pandemic.
This is precisely what we plan to correct (along with reversing decades of neglect). It is a huge project that will take time but I look forward to letting you know when you should be able to return to a much nicer experience.
Why couldn’t htey have kept the place open for a couple more weeks, through Christmas and the New Year?
John Thyne is huge in SB. I find him to be a picture of a big-dollar heartless developer, especially with this action.
You clearly don’t know me.
@John – is it true you started doing unpermitted work on the place and got shut down by the city for a period of time?
Sort of. We properly started emergency repairs without permits due to a massive water intrusion that largely ruined the property and was starting to mold. Additional needed repairs were uncovered during that emergency renovation and they require permits. A disgruntled manager called the city to investigate and they red tagged us for addressing some of the repairs that were needed while we did the emergency work. We have applied for permits and are working with the City to ensure everything is done properly. As for the Health Department, they were also called out by that manager and shut the restaurant down when the water heater failed and for some pest control. We are abiding all of those requirements of course.
So, you think that employees should just remain quiet, and allow ongoing violations, especially of health regulations? That sure doesn’t sound very upright and responsible.
I re-read John Thyne’s comments above. He didn’t say or suggest that anywhere. He implied that this particular employee was unjustified. He may be wrong, but you’re definitely wrong to put words in his mouth.
I am pleased to see that Mr Thyne responded. I hope it all works out to everyone’s satisfaction.
Mr. Thyne, good luck with the restaurant. Hopefully you can elevate the food and service, the location deserves it.
IMO, I wouldn’t respond to or engage with anyone posting anonymously on Edhat in regards to anything specific about the project other than projected opening schedule. There are a bunch of people with nothing but time who love to tear down people getting things done in life.
Not that Alexblue ever does that! ha ha ha
Ha Ha Ha, nah, Anon.
I have never engaged with or criticized any person posting on Edhat under their own name about something they are working on.
Never.
Nor would I. Because it’s cowardly and cheap.
How is “Alexblue” any less anonymous than “anonymous”? Hint – it’s not.
Flunked the whole literacy thing, huh. Read it again.
Thank you very much and we also hope and will work hard for a vast improvement for locals and visitors. I agree with you about anonymous posters who make spurious allegations not based in fact. I look forward to hearing from you once we are reopened.
You’re right, I apologize. I know you’ve done philanthropic work in town, and much business. I’m sorry I made an off the cuff, canned criticism. Good luck with the restaurant. I love the wharf.
Thank you, we look forward to making this better for everyone.
I emailed the Santa Barbara Waterfront web page yesterday to point out that they’re advertising the Harbor restaurant as if it’s business as usual; got a prompt reply to say they’re “looking into it.”
I read some Yelp reviews too — ouch, really bad.
It ain’t easy dealing with SB City Hall, permitting, and the County Health Dept. They all put up big barriers to businesses around here, and that’s not a compliment. I get the sense the new owners already know this and will handle their stuff quite well.
Odd to be opposed to anything and everything concerning health.
Mr. Thyne, congratulations on your acquisition and I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with the place! That restaurant has been in serious need of some TLC for a while.
It’s funny how many are complaining for no other reason than the fact that you are able to afford such an undertaking.
In regards to those alleging health violations, Thyne is actually addressing the very issues that would cause health concerns. The wharf is a particularly sensitive location and there are a lot of factors at play in property upkeep there. It’s a cultural backbone of our small community and I feel confident this restaurant is now in good hands