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Commission approves one‑year lease for Galita Spot at former Elephant Bar
Summary
The commission unanimously approved a one‑year lease for the former Elephant Bar building to Galita Spot. The operator plans a fast‑casual food hall model featuring five local food vendors, local beer and cider, limited kitchen renovations and a rent start date of July 1 to allow renovations.
The Santa Barbara Airport Commission on March 13 approved a one‑year lease for the former Elephant Bar building to Ben Schroeder’s Galita Spot, allowing the operator to renovate the property and begin operations under a short‑term tenancy while the airport advances an FBO redevelopment process.
John Feldhans introduced the item and said the lease would start in April, with rent payments beginning July 1 so the tenant can complete interior and exterior renovations. “We are putting forward a one‑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, identified in the meeting as the Galita Spot proponent, described a fast‑casual concept that will use the existing building with limited interior demolition and upgrades. Schroeder said the plan is to host five core food vendors that will prepare food offsite or in a commissary model; customers will order inside and pick up at counters rather than at vehicles or trucks. Schroeder said the Galita Spot will feature local breweries and cider makers, and that he plans a Type 47 (on‑sale, general) ABC license for the building on public property, which he said would be attached to the Galita Spot lease and remain with the building.
Schroeder said hours would be seven days a week with a target 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. close and that he expects to open under a short‑term arrangement with the understanding the Eastside FBO RFP and eventual FBO redevelopment could change long‑term site use. He told the commission he is in contact with fixed‑base operators and has discussed potential longer‑term arrangements under non‑disclosed terms.
Commissioners asked whether the building could be ready by July 1; Schroeder said he was optimistic he could meet that schedule. Several commissioners and attendees praised the concept as a community asset. Councilmember Kasdan (Goleta) and multiple commissioners encouraged a focus on local vendors and community programming; Schroeder said he expects occasional non‑ticketed live performances and community use, with a firm close at 10 p.m.
Motion and vote: a motion to approve the lease was made and seconded on the record; the commission voted unanimously in favor. The roll call at the start of the meeting established five commissioners present (Commissioners Bowen, Gregg, Grama, Vice Chair Maya and Chair Glaser); the commission recorded unanimous approval for this item.
What’s next: the tenant will begin renovations and pay rent starting July 1; the airport will monitor coordination with the Eastside FBO RFP and any future redevelopment that could affect the site.
