The little gourmet shop on the corner

Amy Isabella Chalker is the founder and owner of Isabella Gourmet foods in downtown Santa Barbara. Growing up in Cape Cod, where the corner store was a fixture, she hoped to create a business in Santa Barbara where locals who love gourmet foods could shop, and area vendors could sell their unique wares. Celebrating a successful first year anniversary this month with friends and business associates, it appears she has done just that. 75 percent of her vendor base is from the surrounding Santa Barbara community, and she has steadily built a strong customer base of local residents.

According to Chalker, the Isabella location in La Arcada was an accident. “I saw the for rent sign, and spoke to the onsite owners, who welcomed us to become tenants. I did not expect to find a place so quickly, and had to scramble to do a proper opening with the products I wanted on the shelves when the doors opened,” she said.

Products at Isabella include a bevy of gourmet vegan, vegetarian and gluten free items to go from Gleeka Bakery The shelves are filled with beautifully packaged items from ojai olive oil, Suze Jalapeno Jelly, Spanish Tin spices, Lucy’s Way nuts, Twenty-five Blackbirds chocolates, SB olive Company dirty martini mix and more. Goddard Kitchen fresh farm-to-table sandwiches and salads have been added to the takeout menu, and are available daily to the downtown lunch crowd… all looking gourmetlicious!

The enthusiastic business owner says she welcomes working with local restaurant owners like Ron True of Arlington Tavern to sell their signature food and beverage products at Isabella. “our future may include selling select wines, possibly from Carr or Sanford Wineries, and opening a second location in the hamptons is always on my wish list.” Chalker believes good business is about good friends and neighbors, and she is well on her way to realizing her dream of providing a gourmet corner store with an upscale inventory in the heart of Santa Barbara.

--By Bonnie Carroll

Isabella Gourmet Foods is located at 5 East Figueroa Street Downtown (805) 585-5257. www. isabellsgourmetfoods.com www.isabellagourmetfoods.com

BrAndEr Au nATurEL

WINE 2011 SAndHI PInOT nOIr

WEnzALu

VInEyArd

$44 mineral-driven and savory, beautiful dried herbs, rose petal and assorted red-fruits as well as a medium-bodied, focused and wellstructured palate. A fantastic wine!

Available at Renegade Wines 417 Santa Barbara Street Suite A-6 www. renegadewines.com