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March 2023 by Rinka J.
RUDE. We arrived in an Uber from downtown Santa Barbara eager to visit a store I love and a well known store in Montecito. We arrived before 5:45. Before ordering the Uber I checked the closing time on apple map sand it said 7:00 pm. When we arrived we stepped over a vacuum cleaner cord stretched from one room to another. Two women were talking about someone they both knew they were worried about. They were talking loudly so that their voices would carry from one room to the next. A few minutes after arriving one of the women said, oh, hello. About five minutes later after trying to shop with the vacuum cleaner going, I said, looks like you are closing up. One woman said yes, we close at 6. I explained online it said 7. No attempt to find out where my information came from or no care to fix it, or that they cared at all; just "we close at 7 starting April 1st".I looked at my apple watch and it said 5:43. The patio appeared to be locked so we couldn't even investigate the wares there. Who the hell trains staff to vacuum BEFORE CLOSING WITH CUSTOMERS IN THE STORE?We left. Not because we didn't find anything charming, but because we were treated poorly. Shopping amidst employee gossip and a vacuum cleaner going is not fun or relaxing. My employees would have asked where the erroneous info was and offered to stay open as late as I needed to shop. My employees would have never pulled out a vacuum before closing. My employees would never have taken 5 minutes to acknowledge a customer. My employees would never have acted like their conversation was more important than the ambience and mood for visitors. Don't waste your time at this has-been store where they don't care.
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August 2022 by Laetitia L
Very charming store in Montecito. It’s not huge but everything is extremely well curated and displayed. Whoever is selecting these brands has an impeccable taste.
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August 2022 by Crystal McGregor
Delicious and nutritious food. Food is afordable not overpriced, love that!. Employees seem to always be happy and are always very helpful.
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June 2022 by Harriet E.
I texted my brother when I was in Italy at the holidays and asked him if he wanted an Italian belt for Xmas, which he enthusiastically responded to. The only thing was... when he responded, it was hours later and I was no longer in an easy place to find a men's belt. I figured I'd pick one up later on the trip, but I completed forgot until I got back to Santa Barbara and started packing gifts I had bought on the trip to send to family and friends. I was horrified which I realized I forgot to get a belt for my brother, but remembered the belt maker at the Sunday craft show at the beach. He makes gorgeous belts that are easily of Italian quality, so I went there, but he wasn't there and one of his artist neighbors said he was on leave until the spring. I spent the next month of weekends trying to find a nice Italian belt in a local shop. One weekend, it was the leather shop in Solvang and Jedlicka's. They had nice belts, but they were all stamped Made in USA and most were Western style, so that would never fly. I hit up Coast Village Road... Whiskey & Leather, Civilanaire, K. Frank... and only saw one great Italian belt at Civilanaire, but it was 1 size too small and had been tried on for years. There wasn't even a price on it, it was so old and worn. I went downtown to State St. and found nothing. My last effort before I was going to have to head south towards LA was to hit up MC Swan and Upstairs at Pierre Lafond in the Village. MC Swan had 3-4 Italian belts, but they were too big or too small and also too traditional. I was looking for something more artisan/casual looking for my retired brother who lives in jeans. Last stop before giving up on finding it in SB was Pierre Lafond. Hadn't been there in years, but it is as filled with gorgeous, unique, expensive items as it ever was. It was super hard to find the belts. The cashier told us where they were, instead of showing us, and we looked all over the area and couldn't find them. So, we figured they didn't have any and by then, I was distracted by the awesome collection of reading glasses they sell. I got caught up trying on glasses and at some point, the cashier came over and showed us where the belts were. Totally unintuitive spot behind a wall!!! They did have a small collection of 3-4 unique, casual, super soft Italian belts, and none of which would fit my size 36 brother. However, I did identify that the brand name of my favorite Italian belt they carried was Orciani and I made a mental note of it. The whole trip wasn't a bust though. I managed to drop a bundle on some beautiful, unique note cards and my new go-to readers by Izipizi and Eyebobs. I also want to add that when got back to the car, I pulled up ebay and quickly found a new Orciani belt, similar in design, in my brother's size and ordered it before we left the parking lot. It arrived in no time and my brother said it is the best-looking belt he has ever owned. I owe that to Pierre Lafond, for introducing me to Orciani belts. How can I not come back? This place is the mecca of unique, high-quality gifts.
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September 2021 by Lenrock
Convenient location, small but we'll organized and well kept. Found the staff particularly helpful. They also have a business center upstairs
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March 2020 by Susan LeVine
❤️. Shelley and everyone that works at Upstairs have created the most inviting well curated collection of objects, clothes, curiosities and things for home, bodies, children and friends. I am honored to sell my bird paintings and silk scarves there. Shelley has changed my creative life❤️❤️❤️❤️ Thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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September 2019 by Susan Sinclair McCarthy
Upstairs has beautiful gifts and housewares for the home, expertly and tastefully curated. It is my favorite shop on the West Coast. The displays are inspiring and the managers are wonderful. I highly recommend Upstairs to anyone who likes well made artisan objects, books, and tablesettings. Think Anthropologie but even better! A classy and artful place to shop!
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November 2018 by Monica B.
Amazing staff and my favorite store ever. So thoughtfully curated. One in a million. Great for gifts and little indulgences!
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November 2018 by Nancy B.
Beautiful things from all around the world are to be found at this highly curated shop deep in Montecito. Against the backdrop of those stunning hills lies this little slice of heaven. Everything is rustic and soft and well, just perfect in my eyes. Yea it's pricey, yea it's a bit snobby (sorry it's true!), but it's still earthy and fabulous and everything beautiful. Blankets and quilts from India made from cotton and cashmere... the most stunning hand embroidered pillows from Mexico... Beni ouarain rugs and lanterns from Morocco ... dishes, paper goods, clothing, shoes, books, jewelry, fragrances, soaps and many more items... all the world's finest can be found here. Doesn't get any better than this.