Samy’s Camera moves to State Street
Samy’s Camera has signed up for 11,450 square feet of space at 530 State St., the largest retail lease in downtown Santa Barbara in three years, according to commercial real estate insiders.
The photography gear retailer makes the move to State Street after 10 years on the 600 block of Chapala Street.
“This move will place Samy’s in the heart of the retail and pedestrian corridor, next to a city parking lot and closer to Brooks Institute of Photography — all positives for their business,” Hayes Commercial Group broker Kristopher Roth said in a statement. Roth and fellow Hayes broker Michael Martz represented the landlord in the lease deal.
Samy’s was represented by May Realty Advisors of Sherman Oaks.
The State Street storefront was previously occupied by Fueled Sports Performance.
“The building attracted strong interest and multiple offers from large-format retailers,” Martz said. “It speaks to the strength of our market and the limited availability of retail spaces of that size on State Street.”
Hayes brokers said the landlord is a South Coast family that has owned the property for many years. “They were looking for a long-term tenant that would bring positive energy to the 500 block, preferably with strong ties to the Santa Barbara community,” the commercial real estate firm said.
Samy’s Camera was founded in 1976 in Los Angeles and has grown to seven locations in California. The company has been in Santa Barbara since 1992.
Wireless music gear maker Sonos now leases the 22,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by Samy’s at 614 Chapala St.
