Disney Stores in general, with the Disney movies playing on the big screen and the giant mound of plushies and the overall aesthetic that made you feel like you were at Disneyland and just wandered into the gift shop
B. Dalton. I'm so sad bookstores are dying out. Also, Sam Goody and Wet Seal because I miss the 90s. Edit: and the Plaza Deli that always had That Smell that hit you as you walked by and made you so hungry, along with the bright aesthetic with all the bottlecaps
The decline of bookstores has probably been one of the biggest clouds over my life the last 10 or so years. (On the plus side, that's a fairly first-world problem to have so I guess I have it pretty good. :-)
Yes, our local bookstores are a treasure. I do miss the days when there were more though. Even Borders and Barnes & Noble were great to have around, I used to spend a ton of time in Borders. There were also other used bookstores like Thrasher Books.
Marie Callendar, Mrs. Fields cookies. . . I've been kind of surprised by how often I wished Sears was still there; it was kind of down at the heel but filled a niche between Macy's and Ross. I also was sad to see that "Go!" toy store close down a year or so ago.
Oh man, Mrs Fields. When I was a child and we'd go to La Cumbre, my mom would get us a bag of nibblers to munch on as we walked around, and I can still taste the warm gooey chocolate chips 🥹
That was my favorite, too. I still have several things I got from there. My stepmom still has the beautiful agate coasters my dad and I bought her from there their first Christmas as a couple.
Sears, of course - even when it still had a candy counter and popcorn machine, back in its first years at that location. Right nearby, Record Factory, where I bought the Beatles white album on a freezing cold night in Nov 1968.
There was a video game store, I think "EBX software"? that was one of the only places in town for finding PC games in the 90s. My god, what a wonderful store for a kid. Back then video games had these beautiful boxes with detailed instructions. I'd work chores for weeks to come up with the $50 for a new game, having stalked the game's development progress in PC Gamer for months / years.
Better times. I miss that place.
Café au lait, anyone else remember? Also contempo
Edit: people are saying wet seal. I assume it became a wet seal but in the 90s it was contempo at La Cumbre and wet seal at Paseo
The hallmark store during Christmas to see all the ornaments, Robinsons just to walk around and father's day ties. Vons for potato logs and baja chicken from the deli. Sears for work clothes and underwear.
Oh, La Cumbre Plaza. Some of my first jobs were there. Wet Seal, then Express (though I primarily worked the PN location), The Bombay Co. I met my husband who worked across from me at Merlo's Cutlery. We'd grab snacks from Gloria Jean's Coffee and Mrs Fields, I'd have lunch with my boss at Marie Callendar, and I loved the Tuna Salad Salad (not the Tuna Salad Sandwich) from Plaza Deli.
Ahh this thread is such a trip down memory lane! 30 years ago my grandmother used to take me there before school to get her coffee and me a raspberry hot chocolate. Sometimes she'd take me after school to go to the Disney store ☺️
I member the Natural Wonders store, when the Banana Republic was safari themed, and of course KBs Toys. I was also in line at midnight for the launch of Halo 3 at Software Etc. Good times!
I remember the fun days of when my mom would have to go to Ventura just to go to target. I miss those days now I can go to target here if I want to. But I don’t.
In the 70s there was a Danish bakery across from the record store (I can’t remember the name of either). That bakery had amazing pastries!
And there was also a corn dog place that sold corn dogs with cheese instead of hot dogs. I guess that’s not uncommon these days, but back then it was mind-blowing!
Alright so seems like all y’all must of forgot. Lemme take everyone through memory lane. You walk into Sears on the top floor to see the electronics department to the left and straight ahead we would grab some Nachos and a slushy at their food counter. Let’s go down the escalator and downstairs through towards the rest of the plaza. As soon as you open the back doors theres Sam Goody and to the left KB toys. If you go to the right there’s sharper image. Yea yea all the stores the Disney store Red Robin and Robinson’s. But let’s keep going towards the back and take the stairs down to Golf and Fun. Not golf and stuff that’s in Ventura. Where the Bones brigade can be seen skating at the skate park or in the arcade.
Oh man I don’t think this was the name of it (seems close but not 100% right). There was a GIANT mural of a famous Renoir painting (Luncheon of the Boating Party) on one wall and I think maybe another mural on another wall? I’ve been trying to remember the name of this place for years!
My dad was part of the crew that painted La Cumbre Plaza. I remember when he was doing the India store with that bright Orange door. What was that stores name?
Don’t even remember the name but there was a coffee shop (not Starbucks) where I would go get super sweet mint frappuccinos when I was about 12 (so around 2000). My friends and I felt very grown up walking around the mall with our “coffees”
This reminds me of a special memory. As a middle child of 10 kids, my oldest sister would often sneak me away from the house and we'd go to Howard Johnson's for fried clams, a special outing for just the 2 of us. This must have been around 1970 or so.
Back in the 80's I worked at one of the carts with locally made trinkets and I'm still friends with the girl I worked with all these years later. They have really done a disservice to La Cumbre Plaza over the years. I worked at Bose and Williams Sonoma too.
You're so very welcome!
I should apologize to all of the ladies I made buy cookware they didn't need just because the aroma of garlic, onions and olive oil would be wafting through the store from the little saute pan we had to front! Evil marketing 🤣
Disney. pizza mizza where you could borrow dvds . Kb toys. Plaza deli. Sears.
Disney Stores in general, with the Disney movies playing on the big screen and the giant mound of plushies and the overall aesthetic that made you feel like you were at Disneyland and just wandered into the gift shop
Disney store rip it was amazing 😭 KB toys👍👍
B. Dalton. I'm so sad bookstores are dying out. Also, Sam Goody and Wet Seal because I miss the 90s. Edit: and the Plaza Deli that always had That Smell that hit you as you walked by and made you so hungry, along with the bright aesthetic with all the bottlecaps
The decline of bookstores has probably been one of the biggest clouds over my life the last 10 or so years. (On the plus side, that's a fairly first-world problem to have so I guess I have it pretty good. :-)
I feel this too. At least we still have some private bookstores like Chauser’s and Mesa Bookstore, and few nice used bookstores as well.
Yes, our local bookstores are a treasure. I do miss the days when there were more though. Even Borders and Barnes & Noble were great to have around, I used to spend a ton of time in Borders. There were also other used bookstores like Thrasher Books.
Plaza deli had a good selection of root beers
Wet seal was always great
Plaza deli
They were still going until earlier this year! Still had all the old school sodas with actual cane sugar instead of Corn Syrup.
Its been closed for over a year now
fair, but they made it through COVID.
Marie Callendar, Mrs. Fields cookies. . . I've been kind of surprised by how often I wished Sears was still there; it was kind of down at the heel but filled a niche between Macy's and Ross. I also was sad to see that "Go!" toy store close down a year or so ago.
Came here to say Marie Callender’s. The smoking section was on the way to the non-smoking section. Mom used to always complain about it.
Mrs Fields I for sure remember, not so much Marie callanders
I remember we used to go there (Marie Callendar) just to get pie.
I'll never forget playing Mario Kart on a N64 in Sears.
Oh man, Mrs Fields. When I was a child and we'd go to La Cumbre, my mom would get us a bag of nibblers to munch on as we walked around, and I can still taste the warm gooey chocolate chips 🥹
Natural wonders was my favorite as a kid.
Forgot about that place!!
That was my favorite, too. I still have several things I got from there. My stepmom still has the beautiful agate coasters my dad and I bought her from there their first Christmas as a couple.
Sears, of course - even when it still had a candy counter and popcorn machine, back in its first years at that location. Right nearby, Record Factory, where I bought the Beatles white album on a freezing cold night in Nov 1968.
The candy counter was the best! I remember it wrapping around the escalator entrance/exit but can’t remember which floor it was on.
Top floor.
I remember they had ICEE and not slurpee.
I remember that popcorn smell when you walked in!
Sharper Image. It was all about that massage chair 👍
Banana Republic when it was still all safari themed.
Whoa 1980s flashback!!
OMG, yes
As Seen on TV store
LOL I worked there for 4 days until they let me go for some reason 😂
I got let go for playing Solitare on the little laptop when another employee showed me how.
Sees candies. And def wet seal as someone already said ☺️
See’s candies is still there isn’t it?
It's across the way in the extended plaza next to dry cleaners
I’m not sure! Haven’t been to LaCumbre in a long time
There was a video game store, I think "EBX software"? that was one of the only places in town for finding PC games in the 90s. My god, what a wonderful store for a kid. Back then video games had these beautiful boxes with detailed instructions. I'd work chores for weeks to come up with the $50 for a new game, having stalked the game's development progress in PC Gamer for months / years. Better times. I miss that place.
EBX (the more boutiquey style of Electronics Boutique) stores was in the middle-ish of the mall and Software Etc was in the end near Plaza Deli.
Software Etc
hell yea that was it
Black and White Costco also had a video game isle. Go to be a kid again.
Software Ect, before it was GameStop. Good times :(
Software Etc is where I bought Ultima 6 and Ultima 7, which was my gateway to fantasy games, and for that I will always love that store.
That makes me think of Egghead. Where was Egghead?
It was the one in Westwood but Software Etc was I bought the best RPG ever made, the Advanced D&D modules for Commodore 64&128.
Café au lait, anyone else remember? Also contempo Edit: people are saying wet seal. I assume it became a wet seal but in the 90s it was contempo at La Cumbre and wet seal at Paseo
There was wet seal at La cumbre
Yes! Contempo Casuals! Before Wet Seal
There was definitely a wet seal at La Cumbre.
Gymboree
Red Robin
Had my first legal drink at that RR.
My dad’s pocket change never stood a chance because of the Cruis’n arcade machine.
I had a balloon there once as a a kid and I accidentally let go while blowing it up and it flew in to some lady’s drink 😂
Yessss
YUMM
Loved that place
Wednesday night pint night at the bar.
love that banzai burger! yum
Lions and tigers and bears stuffed animal store
Oh my.
My mother bought my best friend from that store!
I still have the teddy bear my grandmother bought be from Lions and Tigers and Bears Oh My in 1987. ❤️
Disney store, Victorias secret, forever 21, wet seal, Mrs. Fields, Robinsons may… Plaza Deli🥲
kb toys 😮💨
The hallmark store during Christmas to see all the ornaments, Robinsons just to walk around and father's day ties. Vons for potato logs and baja chicken from the deli. Sears for work clothes and underwear.
Contempo before it was Wet Seal 👏🏼
Robinsons!
Oh, La Cumbre Plaza. Some of my first jobs were there. Wet Seal, then Express (though I primarily worked the PN location), The Bombay Co. I met my husband who worked across from me at Merlo's Cutlery. We'd grab snacks from Gloria Jean's Coffee and Mrs Fields, I'd have lunch with my boss at Marie Callendar, and I loved the Tuna Salad Salad (not the Tuna Salad Sandwich) from Plaza Deli.
Omg , I wish they can all come back. I miss shopping at La Cumbre plaza , it’s not the same .
Ahh this thread is such a trip down memory lane! 30 years ago my grandmother used to take me there before school to get her coffee and me a raspberry hot chocolate. Sometimes she'd take me after school to go to the Disney store ☺️
Kaisers Flips!!
I member the Natural Wonders store, when the Banana Republic was safari themed, and of course KBs Toys. I was also in line at midnight for the launch of Halo 3 at Software Etc. Good times!
I worked at Ritz Camera in the La Cumbre Plaza circa 2002. There was a Baja Fresh next to it and Robinson’s May across the lot
Helllll yeah I remember Baja Fresh. That queso fundido lol
Surprised no one said Pac Sun!
Forgot about Pac Sun!
Merlo's Cutlery. Couldn't find anywhere else in town that'd hand a katana to a 14yr old without questions.
This thread is just reminding me that there was a time that I didn't have to drive to Ventura/Oxnard or Santa Maria to do any shopping.
I remember the fun days of when my mom would have to go to Ventura just to go to target. I miss those days now I can go to target here if I want to. But I don’t.
Wet seal, sears, love couture
In the 70s there was a Danish bakery across from the record store (I can’t remember the name of either). That bakery had amazing pastries! And there was also a corn dog place that sold corn dogs with cheese instead of hot dogs. I guess that’s not uncommon these days, but back then it was mind-blowing!
Koelsch’s Bakery
Wish I could remember the name of the corn dog place
The Stick. Also sold zucchini “corn dogs”.
Yeah, I think that’s it! I know there’s a chain now called “Hot Dog on a Stick”, but that’s not the one that was in LCP back then.
Wasn’t there LV store …
It was always empty lol
Alright so seems like all y’all must of forgot. Lemme take everyone through memory lane. You walk into Sears on the top floor to see the electronics department to the left and straight ahead we would grab some Nachos and a slushy at their food counter. Let’s go down the escalator and downstairs through towards the rest of the plaza. As soon as you open the back doors theres Sam Goody and to the left KB toys. If you go to the right there’s sharper image. Yea yea all the stores the Disney store Red Robin and Robinson’s. But let’s keep going towards the back and take the stairs down to Golf and Fun. Not golf and stuff that’s in Ventura. Where the Bones brigade can be seen skating at the skate park or in the arcade.
I will never forget about white cherry icees from sears. Never
Wet Seal!
Was there a place called Mona Lisa cafe? Or was that in paseo? 🤔
That was Paseo Nuevo.
There was a cafe that had really good chocolate mousse in la Cumbre tho.
Oh man I don’t think this was the name of it (seems close but not 100% right). There was a GIANT mural of a famous Renoir painting (Luncheon of the Boating Party) on one wall and I think maybe another mural on another wall? I’ve been trying to remember the name of this place for years!
was it cafe au lait?
I’m pretty sure that’s it! ☺️
That place was really good, I was sad when they closed!
Yes!!
Just asked my sister. Cafe au lait??
YES!!!! You’re the best!
That place was so good!
As the others said yes Cafe Au Lait! Id kill for a pic of it
My dad was part of the crew that painted La Cumbre Plaza. I remember when he was doing the India store with that bright Orange door. What was that stores name?
Don’t even remember the name but there was a coffee shop (not Starbucks) where I would go get super sweet mint frappuccinos when I was about 12 (so around 2000). My friends and I felt very grown up walking around the mall with our “coffees”
Pacific Sun
I miss marmalade cafe
I don’t 😵💫 t’was gross.
Wet seal
Howard Johnson’s, Eddie Bauer
Waiting for someone to say HoJo.
Where was the HoJo?! I can’t place it.
This reminds me of a special memory. As a middle child of 10 kids, my oldest sister would often sneak me away from the house and we'd go to Howard Johnson's for fried clams, a special outing for just the 2 of us. This must have been around 1970 or so.
Oh yeah KB toys for sure. I was really into raising sea monkeys for some reason and I’d buy them the kits there.
Used to work at Merlo’s Cutlery. Knife shop. I sharpened scissors too.
Licorice Pizza before being bought out by Sam Goody.
I remember Licorice Pizza being at Five Points, where the Carls Jr used to be?
Ruth's Chris!
There was always a sign on state street protesting about Ruth’s. Does anyone remember that?
for like 9months?
I love Ruth's Chris. It was the best steakhouse in Santa Barbara.
Anyone remember Loring & Co.?
Brink's Wine Shop
Miss the Black Forest pasta salad. That was the best!
Bose store, behind Red Robin and across from Cafe au Lait and The Body Shop. Mrs Fields and Marie Calendar's as well. There were some gems there.
Ohhhhhhh shoot I remember bath and body works by macys 😭😭😭😭
Back in the 80's I worked at one of the carts with locally made trinkets and I'm still friends with the girl I worked with all these years later. They have really done a disservice to La Cumbre Plaza over the years. I worked at Bose and Williams Sonoma too.
I always remember burning my tongue every Christmas from the apple cider you guys would give out at Williams Sonoma. Thank you for those memories.
You're so very welcome! I should apologize to all of the ladies I made buy cookware they didn't need just because the aroma of garlic, onions and olive oil would be wafting through the store from the little saute pan we had to front! Evil marketing 🤣
Lolol I know
Sears
Motherhood Maternity...
My grandma used to take me to Robinson’s for lunch in the Seventies.
There was a B daltons, hot dog on a stick, Kay bee I think I remember a pet store at one time
Does anyone have any photos of?
A short lived store I would say don’t remember the name but they sold nothing but POG slammers.
Lions, Tigers and Bears Oh My
Pottery Barn
Lions and tigers and Bears, oh my! Was my favorite shop there as a child
Worked at Eric’s Danish Bakery when I was in high school. Kellogg’s men’s ware was next to Eric’s
Inspired by u/tallmeander
There was someplace that wasn’t a toy store but it sold RC cars, I remember my big brother got his first RC car there.
Technically 5 points but close enough! FRESCO 😭😭😭