> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Business charts new course - URL: https://www.smdp.com/business-charts-new-course/ - Published: 2008-03-22T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-24T18:55:43.000Z - Author: Guest Author - Tags: Business, Santa Monica, #archive-import *Sale raises a few concerns* *By Daily Press Staff* COLORADO AVE Santa Monica Seafood — widely regarded as one of the top spots to locate the freshest and most eco-friendly selections of seafood in Southern California — is getting ready for some big changes. This fall, the culinary landmark is set to relocate from its Colorado Avenue location and will debut a new retail and dine-in space at 1000 Wilshire Blvd. With a new modern design, expanded seafood and menu selections and an eat-in café, the Westside favorite is poised to become a one-stop-shop for the region’s top toques and gourmands alike. The new space, set in the heart of Santa Monica, will feature an inviting design predicated on the key attributes of the company, said Michael Cigliano, one of the company owners and a member of the family who founded the historic business. “We based the design on the Italian family heritage of the Ciglianos,” he said. “The store front and interior will have a rustic Tuscan feel, while the rear of the building will represent the look and feel of a dockside ice house.” Cigliano said the company, originally founded in 1939, has outgrown its Colorado digs and wants to expand. The Colorado location has been sold, but Cigliano would not disclose any details about the sale. Rumors have it that Tom Hanks purchased the property and plans to build a production studio there. A spokesman from the Los Angeles County Assessor’s office said the sale did occur, but could not disclose the purchase price. The buyer is Alley Properties, LLC, a Deleware-based limited liability company. The spokesman said the buyer paid a “stamp tax” that prevents information about the sale from being released. Santa Monica seafood purchased the property in 1966 for $140,000\. It was last assessed in 2007 and valued at $842,000. News of the sale sparked concerns amongst the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City, which is worried that any new development will bring with it more traffic and parking woes. “SM Seafood is just one of over 50 large parcels that our city recently identified as prime development sites,” Diana Gordon, spokesperson for the coalition, wrote in an e-mail Friday. “Our city is on the verge of another major explosion of commercial development which is a prime source of traffic congestion.” The coalition is gathering signatures to qualify an initiative on the November ballot that would place limits on commercial development with the goal of reducing related impacts, such as traffic. The new Santa Monica Seafood will not only offer a larger selection of fresh, seasonal and sustainable seafood, but will have 64 feet of refrigerated chef’s cases to showcase the freshest seafood and shellfish from around the world, as well as housemade salads, dips, spreads and prepared vegetables and meals. The new location will also have an oyster bar, sushi, breads, cheeses and beer and wine service in addition to regular in-store demonstrations by many of the notable chefs from the region who rely on Santa Monica Seafood for their award-winning menus. In addition, Santa Monica Seafood will also feature a café that will seat up to 40 people and offer a menu of seafood favorites featuring products taken straight from the retail case. For a short time, the company is offering what they call a “sneak peek” into what will become its new location via the 10th Street Café, which presents an opportunity to sample dishes prepared with the company’s seafood selections and allows patrons a glimpse of the menu to come. “We wanted to utilize the space to try out menu ideas and to give the public an idea of what is in store,” Cigliano said. “The 10th Street Café offers a chance to taste the future. It will only be open a few months before we start construction, so we encourage people to try it while they can.” The Santa Monica Seafood retail location, currently located at 1205 Colorado Ave., will remain open until the new store is complete this fall. Loyal customer Liz Adler, who drives to Santa Monica from Westchester to buy her fish, said she isn’t disappointed by news that the Colorado location is closing down. “I would travel any place they moved to,” Adler said Wednesday as she picked up an order. “I love the lobster.” Santa Monica seafood was founded by Jack and Gerald Cigliano at the Santa Monica Pier, where they operated until the late ‘60s when they were forced to relocate because of increased vehicular traffic on the pier. While on the pier, the Cigliano’s were known to have sold the “catch of the day,” which was literally whatever local fisherman pulled out of the water that day. *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 22, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/032208.pdf?ref=smdp.com)