Keeping Tri-County Locally Rooted and Deeply Connected to the People it Serves

For locals, Tri-County isn’t just a grocery store — it’s a cultural institution, a place that honors Santa Barbara’s agricultural heritage, and a space where loyalty and community come together in every aisle. From fresh, locally-grown produce to decades of tradition, it has been a cornerstone of the region for over fifty years. Thanks to the generosity of local philanthropists Eric and Wendy Schmidt, Tri-County continues to thrive — a true testament to the power of community-minded action.

As local artist and author Olivia Joffrey beautifully writes in her piece The Best Good News of 2025, “These are acts of love that speak loudly. They declare, ‘We will show up for each other in a crisis, no questions asked! Tri-County is locally-owned, serves locals, and focuses their offerings on produce that is grown here in the Santa Barbara County region. Even more soulful is the fact that the store is now under the stewardship of two longtime Tri-County employees — a father and son with over twenty years of experience in the grocery store with it’s prior owner." Keeping Tri-County locally rooted and deeply connected to the people it serves continues to be the mission thanks to the generosity of our community.

Read Olivia’s full piece to celebrate this remarkable story of community generosity and local devotion: The Best Good News of 2025.