Commission approves 1‑year lease for former Elephant Bar building; tenant to operate Galita Spot food market

The Santa Barbara Airport Commission unanimously approved a one‑year lease on March 13 for the former Elephant Bar building to a proposed operator who plans to reopen the space as the Galita Spot, a fast‑casual food market featuring local food vendors and beverage offerings.

John Feldhans introduced the item to commissioners as an administrative item moved to the agenda for further discussion. “We are putting forward a a 1 year lease term starting in April. The rent will start in July 1, so he can do some renovations to the inside and outside,” Feldhans said.

Ben Schroeder, the prospective tenant, described the concept to the commission as a space operated by a primary company (Galita Spot) that contracts with five local food vendors (food-truck style suppliers) who would prepare food off‑site or in a commissary and deliver to the building; customers would order inside and pick up at a counter. Schroeder said the plan is to maintain the building’s walls and character, make interior repairs and paint, and avoid a large kitchen build‑out so the operation can be relocated if required by future FBO redevelopment.

“We're going to use it as a commissary,” Schroeder said. He said the project team has spoken with fixed‑base operators (FBOs) about a possible future longer‑term lease tied to the airport’s ongoing FBO redevelopment process but that the one‑year lease is intended to restart use of the building now.

Schroeder said hours would target broad community use—“7 days a week, 10 to 10” was his stated plan—and he named local beverage partners and proposed live, non‑ticketed music and community events that would end by the commission’s 10 p.m. closing preference. He said the Galita Spot would seek an ABC type 47 license for on‑site alcohol service on public property, and that the license would be attached to the building.

Commissioners asked about space constraints, the conditional nature of the short lease relative to the East‑side FBO RFP, vendor selection and parking interactions with FBO operators. Feldhans and Schroeder said the airport is space‑constrained now; the East‑side FBO request for proposals (RFP) includes this parcel and a future FBO plan may require relocation when that project proceeds. Commissioners endorsed the approach of a limited build‑out to keep the operation portable if long‑term redevelopment requires it.

The commission voted to approve the lease. No abstentions or no votes were recorded.

Ending — Commissioners welcomed the prospective tenant and encouraged coordination with airport operations and FBOs as the operator readies the site. The tenant said he would brief staff on schedule and permitting as renovations progress.