Ghirardelli Brings Its Chocolate Shop to State Street, Adding a Sweet Stop to Santa Barbara’s Coast

Downtown treat: a new Ghirardelli shop opens on State Street this month

Ghirardelli is opening a new shop on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara this month, bringing its chocolate and sundae bar to a busy stretch of the California coast. The company announced the move in mid-December, pitching the location as a place for tourists and locals to grab a classic chocolate square, an over-the-top sundae or a warming cup of hot cocoa while they walk the city’s main thoroughfare.

The timing matters: State Street is in the heart of Santa Barbara’s visitor district, and the new store arrives as holiday crowds and winter visitors arrive. The shop aims to be an easy stop for families, shoppers and anyone out for an afternoon stroll, adding a familiar brand to a lineup of local cafes and restaurants.

Sweet staples and small luxuries: what you’ll find inside

Step in and expect the sort of offerings Ghirardelli is known for: a display of chocolate squares and bars, a menu of signature sundaes built with warm fudge and vanilla ice cream, and drinks that include thick hot chocolate and flavored coffee blends. The store will also sell gift-ready boxes and seasonal items that are handy for visitors looking to bring a taste of California home.

The layout is likely to combine retail shelves and a small counter seating area, with space designed for quick takeout as well as a place to linger. Look for the chocolate squares arranged near the front, ready for a quick purchase, and a counter where staff prepare sundaes and hot chocolate fresh to order. Expect a few items that may be exclusive to the shop or the season, such as special sundae toppings or limited-run chocolate flavors that align with holiday crowds.

For families, the appeal is simple: classics that are hard to resist and familiar flavors that work well after a day of sightseeing. For shoppers and office workers, the shop offers a quick, slightly indulgent pick-me-up.

What this means for State Street: more foot traffic and local hires

The new shop is likely to increase foot traffic along State Street, particularly on weekend afternoons and during holiday weekends when visitors are already in town. A recognizable name like Ghirardelli can act as a draw, nudging people to linger in the area and visit neighboring stores and restaurants.

On the jobs front, the store will create local positions for front-of-house staff and managers. While the announcement didn’t list exact hiring numbers, this kind of opening typically brings a mix of part-time and full-time roles — baristas, counter staff and supervisors — that can be useful for students and part-time workers in a tourism-driven town.

Local businesses may welcome the addition. A steady stream of customers stopping for a sundae or a chocolate gift can help nearby shops pick up extra foot traffic. At the same time, the move underscores the ongoing draw of State Street as a retail and visitor hub, reinforcing the area’s role as a place where national brands and local merchants operate side by side.

How this store fits into Ghirardelli’s wider story

Ghirardelli is a long-standing American chocolate brand with roots in San Francisco. Over the years it has balanced packaged chocolate sales with a smaller number of shops and cafes that offer made-to-order treats. The Santa Barbara location continues that approach: a retail presence that also functions as a casual dessert destination.

For the brand, the store gives Ghirardelli a foothold in a popular coastal market where tourists and locals value easy, tasty experiences. For shoppers, it provides more options alongside independent chocolatiers and cafes. The shop isn’t a shift in strategy so much as a steady extension of a familiar retail model — recognizable product, grab-and-go convenience, and the sensory pull of hot fudge and chocolate on display.

Plan your visit: where to go and what to expect

The new Ghirardelli shop is on State Street in downtown Santa Barbara, within easy walking distance of the city’s main shopping and dining area. The company has scheduled a grand opening celebration this month, with the store offering its standard lineup of sundaes, chocolate squares and warm drinks. Expect regular daily hours and a mix of takeout and limited seating suited to people moving through the downtown corridor.

If you’re heading over during peak times — weekend afternoons or holiday periods — be ready for a short line. The draw is familiar: quick indulgence, a chance to sit for a few minutes, and a chocolate souvenir for the trip home.

Sources

• prnewswire.com