$304K EBITDA Specialty Housewares Retailer with E‑commerce in Santa Cruz, CA

Overview & Market Position: This specialty retailer focuses on kitchenware, cutlery, tabletop, and gourmet consumables. It serves a loyal regional customer base in-store and ships nationwide through its e-commerce channel. The brand has operated for decades and is known for a curated selection and service-led retail experience, with seasonal strength around year-end holidays. Its reputation is reinforced by consistently strong Google reviews and customer ratings in recent years, reflecting a high level of customer satisfaction and repeat business. The business has earned national recognition, including being named Kitchenware Store of the Year in 2017 by the International Housewares Association—an award granted to only one store annually. It has also established itself as a premier partner for leading brands: it was the first West Coast Le Creuset “shop-in-shop” location and remains the only one on the West Coast (and one of just eight nationwide); the first Bay Area brick-and-mortar retail partner for Made In; and an early California retail partner for Fellow. These partnerships underscore the store’s positioning as a trusted, high-quality retail destination within the housewares category. Operations & Team: The model combines a single brick-and-mortar location open daily with online sales via the company’s website and select marketplaces. The owner provides approximately 30 hours per week, splitting time between in-store leadership several days per week and remote work handling accounting, vendor coordination, and staff oversight. A long-tenured team manages day-to-day execution: a highly capable buyer/merchandiser—an ex–Silicon Valley engineer—drives product selection and vendor mix and could potentially step into a GM-type role for a new owner; a warehouse lead oversees wholesale shipping and receiving; a receiving/admin role manages inbound goods and order administration; and an assistant floor manager coordinates sales staff and daily tasks. An external consultant handles website, marketing, and social media. The business maintains straightforward retail cash cycles with minimal accounts receivable and relies on defined roles for buying, receiving, floor management, and fulfillment. Performance & Durability: Revenue is diversified across channels, with the physical store as the primary driver and a growing e-commerce contribution. Wholesale is a small, complementary stream. The offering mixes durable goods with consumables to encourage repeat purchases. Customer acquisition is supported by a substantial email list and paid media, while strong online reviews and long-standing brand partnerships provide meaningful social proof and reinforce credibility. Low staff turnover and long employee tenure further contribute to operational stability. Growth & Transition: Credible growth paths include expanding e-commerce through site optimization, segmentation of the existing email list, and scaled marketplace and social commerce. In-store growth can come from curated assortments, deepened vendor partnerships, events, and improved inventory turns. The business is not suited for absentee ownership; it benefits from an on-site operator or GM to lead people, manage merchandising, and steward inventory. Ownership is prepared to support a structured transition to ensure knowledge transfer and continuity. Additional Transition Considerations: Routine retail permits apply. Prior retail management and people leadership are helpful; interest in housewares and comfort with inventory and merchandising will support a smoother handover. 📍 Santa Cruz, CA 💰 Asking Price: $1,070,000 📊 Revenue: — 💵 SDE: N/A SBA Eligibility: SBA Eligible 🤝 Seller Financing: Yes 🏷️ Industry: N/A View the full listing on Baton: https://www.batonmarket.com/market/businesses-for-sale/santa--cruz--ca/e5a6a83b-19f2-4c4a-897f-8de4109b7fef?utm_source=searchfunder&utm_medium=listing&utm_campaign=searchfunder_deal