Located in southwest California, Santa Barbara is best known for its stunning beaches, bustling nightlife, classic seafood dishes, and countless art galleries and museums. While the city is home to the rich and famous, these aspects of the area also draw many tourists to spend their vacations here. Santa Barbara also offers many unique and renowned shopping centers, which makes investing in retail properties a wise move. If you are interested in building such a property yourself, below is a list of the five best retail contractors in the Santa Barbara area.


Frank Schipper Construction

610 East Cota St. Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Established in 1982, Frank Schipper Construction is a firm widely recognized for its expertise in serving a vast range of industries and markets. It specializes in preconstruction, general contracting, construction management, and project delivery methods. For 40 years it has served customers in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Oxnard, and other nearby areas, building an impressive portfolio of museums, theaters, school buildings, office spaces, and much more. 

Paul Wieckowski currently leads the talented team of professionals at Frank Schipper Construction. With the values of integrity, teamwork, and professionalism at its core, the team has earned Frank Schipper Construction a great reputation and has amassed a long list of successful and award-winning projects. Numerous media outlets have also featured the firm, including The Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Barbara News-Press, Edhat, and Noozwhawk.


Young Construction

9 Ashley Ave. Santa Barbara, CA 93103

Founded 44 years ago by Robert and Dave Young, Young Construction is a residential and commercial builder whose team of professionals is dedicated to delivering award-winning solutions that meet all of its clients’ needs. The firm specializes in building hospitality, office, retail, and commercial spaces, as well as completing residential construction projects. Though located in Santa Barbara, the firm also offers its services to Carpinteria, Mission Canyon, Montecito, and other surrounding areas. 

The Young brothers have long been passionate about not only producing high-quality projects, but also making the construction process smooth and reliable. When Young Construction was first founded, it was mainly focused on business development, but Robert Young has since grown the firm to include high-end residential and commercial projects. He currently leads the company as the CEO, and, under his leadership, Young Construction has received many awards, including the 2015 Hugh Peterson Award.


Staples Construction

1501 Eastman Ave. Ventura, CA 93003

Headquartered in Ventura, California, Staples Construction is a full-service general contracting company thas has completed over 400 million square feet of construction and over 600 million dollars’ worth in projects. It specializes in a wide range of projects, building aviation, education, hospitality, and industrial spaces, among many more. The firm offers its services to Central Coast, Sacramento, San Jose, Ventura, and other surrounding areas.

David Staples, who has 30 years of construction experience, is the company’s founder and current president. As a leader, he ensures that every project is completed on time, within budget, and with outstanding quality. He and his team work to provide customers with the highest level of client service, through their dedication to fostering personal trust, professional respect, and long-term relationships with clients.


Nu-Line Partners Inc.

3715 Telegraph Rd. Ventura, CA 93003

The team of diverse and highly experienced professionals at Nu-Line Partners Inc. believes that no project is too big or too small. Founded in 1984, the firm specializes in providing general contracting, design-build, project development, interior design, commercial construction, tenant improvement, and custom residential services. Nu-Line Partners Inc. offers these services for clients throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara, and surrounding areas. It has earned a reputation in the real estate and construction industry as a reliable and hardworking firm.

Nicholas Tomasello, one of the firm’s current leaders, is an expert in general contracting, urban planning, and architecture, and he oversees all of the company’s active and conceptual projects. His co-leader Frank Tomasello brings over 40 years of construction experience to the firm, and is heavily involved in all aspects of the construction process as well.


Apex General Contractors

1250 N Olive St. Suite A, Ventura, CA 93001

Apex General Contractors is a leading construction company based in Ventura, California, though it also offers its services in Santa Barbara and other nearby areas. Formed in 1996, this full-service firm specializes in commercial, industrial, municipal, medical, and retail projects. With the values of quality craftsmanship and integrity at their cores, the dedicated professionals at Apex General Contractors handle every project with the utmost care. The company’s in-house process of managing projects guarantees clients an excellent construction experience.

Having grown up with a father who was a licensed electrician, current owner Kelly Michon was exposed to the construction field all throughout his childhood. When he was young, Michon would follow his father to his job sites, and when he was older, he would even assist him with his projects. Fast forward to 1985, and Kelly Michon had built Apex General Contractors, which was incorporated 11 years later.