The building where Tri-County Produce is located was built in 1950 for Harry Bowman. For years, Harry distributed wholesale produce to the tri-counties, delivering to restaurants, schools and stores.

In 1976, Harry Bowman sold the business to Virgil and Marie Eliot, who decided to open Tri-County Produce to the public. They sold it to Jim Dixon and his son, John, in 1985.

Jim Dixon was raised on his father's farm in Eastern Canada. As a young boy, he worked the farm where they grew and harvested many fruits and vegetables. Jim and his father would pick the produce and load it on a wagon which was hitched to a team of horses. In this way, they transported their fresh picked produce to the local market for sale. Jim was in the produce and grocery business all his life, and passed his knowledge and love for the industry to his son, John.

Following the passing of Jim in 2016, John carried on the family legacy, and continued to serve the Santa Barbara community with the same dedication and care as his Dad. Under the stewardship of Jim and John Dixon, Tri-County Produce became more than just a grocery store; it became a beloved gathering place for customers, many of whom became lifelong friends.

In 2021, local developers Chris Parker and Austin Herlihy, backed by local investors, approached John with an innovative proposal to build much-needed housing for Santa Barbara while preserving the legacy of Tri-County Produce. With a deep love for Santa Barbara and the community, John embraced the opportunity to move forward with this vision, which allowed the store to continue operating in its current location. This collaboration marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the property.

In March, 2025, John Dixon announced his retirement:

"After 40 years of dedication, passion, and community service, I am announcing my decision to retire. Tri-County Produce has been my life’s work, and I have enjoyed every moment of it –from stocking shelves to serving customers. Throughout my tenure, I have worked with exceptional vendors and I have built lasting relationships with my loyal employees. I also took great pride in providing employment opportunities to the youth of Santa Barbara, helping many grow into successful adults."

In April, 2025, local residents Wendy and Eric Schmidt contacted John Dixon and the developers in order to ensure the future of Tri-County Produce. Wendy told the Santa Barbara Independent:

“I knew we had to find a way for this beloved market to continue serving the community. With its 40 years of networked fresh produce suppliers across the region and a unique curation of other products, Tri-County Produce has become an essential part of Santa Barbara.”

Wendy and her husband, Eric, former CEO of Google, forged a deal to keep Tri-County Produce running under the management of Jaime Desales and his son, Jaime Jr. (known as 'Mito'). Jaime, the long-time Produce Manager, has worked at Tri-County Produce for over 20 years. He learned the business from John's Dad, Jim Dixon. Now Jaime and his son will carry the tradition forward, long into the future.

John Dixon responded by expressing his gratitude:

“Seeing Jaime Sr. and Jr. take over the reins is one of the most rewarding moments of my career. Jaime has been an integral part of this business for over two decades—he knows it inside and out. Watching him and his son carry Tri County forward gives me great peace of mind and a lot of pride. I know the market is in excellent hands, I’m truly grateful that the store will remain open, continuing to serve the community that means so much to me.”

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