Waypoint Ventura is a new vintage trailer hotel and RV park located at the end of Ash over the railroad tracks with views of the ocean and pier. They had their official Chamber ribbon cutting on June 12. It consists of completely remodeled 1940’s-1970’s vintage aluminum trailers (like Airstream) with a private deck. There are also sites for guests to bring their own vintage/retro trailers.
Photos by Michael Gordon
Burgerim Gourmet Burgers recently held their grand opening Chamber ribbon cutting in Downtown. Burgerim is a rapidly expanding burger franchise with 160 locations around the world.
440 E Main Street 805-667-8910
Photos by Michael Gordon
If you haven’t been to A Smart Garden nursery yet, you are missing out. This hidden gem is located near the Mission in Downtown Ventura, just 50 yards south of Main Street at 33 S. Palm. Owner Cari Vega has curated a garden center for the 21st century, where chemical treatments are a thing of the past and organics are simply common sense, not a newfangled fad. To that end, the nursery’s soils, fertilizers, sprays, seeds and vegetable starts are organic only.
The store is located in a cavernous brick building dating back to the 1890’s with huge windows, high ceilings with exposed wood beams and big skylights. It exudes a palpable charm that customers regularly comment on, and houses the nursery’s selection of houseplants, pottery, gardening tools, decorative items and a splash of antiques. It also doubles as the garden center’s classroom.
Since opening just over a year ago, A Smart Garden has hosted an impressive 32 gardening classes and workshops in the main building. In addition to teaching many of the classes herself—including the popular succulent wreath workshop–Vega regularly recruits other local gardening experts to share their gardening expertise on topics including California native plants, beneficial insects, edible landscapes, greywater systems, drip irrigation and other environmentally-focused topics. “Classes have been a terrific way of meeting local residents and getting a feel for what’s important to them in gardening,” says Vega. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response to both the classes and the overall mission of the nursery,”
The outdoor nursery is stocked with a wide selection of drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants displayed in a beautiful courtyard setting. “We want to make it as easy as possible for customers to succeed in their gardening efforts without drawing excessively on our limited water supply, so we focus on carrying plants that will perform well in our area with minimal care and minimal water,” Vega says. That includes everything from trees to groundcovers and dozens of California native plants from local grower Nopalito Natives.
To help the community recover from the effects of the Thomas Fire, A Smart Garden has instituted a special discount for residents who are replacing items lost in the fire. “The fire impacted all of us, so if we can help each other get back to normal we are all stronger for it.” Vega continued, “Together we can have a tremendous positive impact on our local and global environments. We’re looking forward to a long and successful collaboration here in Ventura.”
A Smart Garden nursery owner Cari Vega’s 30-year career in horticulture has included floral design for film and television set decorating, interior landscaping, landscape design/consultation/maintenance, and teaching a wide range of gardening classes.
For more information, please contact Cari Vega at 667-8585.
by Richard Lieberman
Lynn Dralle originally from Bellingham, Washington has opened Lynn’s Consignment Shop, 1975 East Main St. With her mom and daughter working together the family has put together an impressive site. Specializing in antiques, collectables and a wide variety of consignment pieces.
Lynn a talented author has penned several instructional books about selling on eBay, some of the titles include “The 100 Best Things I’ve Sold on eBay”, “Money Making Madness”, The 3rd 100 Best Things I have Sold on eBay, and “The 4th Best Things I’ve Sold on eBay”.
Lynn’s saga begins with her late grandmother Cheryl Leaf who was running an antiques business from her home starting in 1950. “I learned about business and life from her” said Dralle. “I went to antique shows and sometimes even missed school.” added Dralle. Dralle has earned a BS in Business Administration from USC, and later earned an MBA from USC.
A first time visit to Ventura convinced her she found the right place to live and open her business. “I fell in love with Main Street, I knew this was right” she said. Clean, classy and well-priced this new Ventura business is a great addition to the midtown area. “ I am so happy I found this place.” She said.
The store opened on March 1st and has already exceed their monthly cash flow projections by 25%.
“My location at 1975 E. Main Street is the perfect place to start and may be all I need if I can turn my inventory as fast as I think I can”, Lynn added.
“Our marketing plan includes advertising in the Ventura Breeze, and word of mouth which is so important in a city like Ventura.”
We welcome Lynn and her family to Ventura. Stop by and see this beautifully arranged store, and browse some of Lynn’s treasures.
Ventura favorite Spencer Makenzie’s Fish Co. has opened their long-anticipated second location in Camarillo. The original is a beloved Ventura institution racking up national accolades from FiveThirtyEight, Business Insider, the Chive and Foursquare, amongst others, for their delicious, hand-crafted fish tacos, burritos, ‘sushi grade’ ahi tuna burgers, and more.
The new location is at 311 Carmen Drive, Camarillo. The new location features a large outdoor patio. Sporting the same beachy-themed decor of the original, but with more square-footage, the main dining room will feature a variety of seating arrangements.
Spencer Makenzie’s is also nationally famous for its annual End of Summer Block Party and “Throw Down” cornhole tournament.
Originally founded in 2007 by John Karayan and his wife Jennifer as a festival concession, the Karayan’s named their award-winning restaurant after two of their children – their son Spencer and their daughter Makenzie.
During that time, they perfected such signature dishes as Giant Fish Tacos, Clam Chowder, and Shrimp & Fish Ceviche and into unique recipes that provide a tastier, healthier and delicious alternative to typical “Fast Food”. Everything is made to order, they only use sushi grade fish, produce is purchased from local vendors and 100% of their famous sauces are homemade.
The original Spencer Makenzie’s Fish Co. is located at 806 East Thompson Blvd. The Camarillo location is at 311 Carmen Drive. For more information, please visit www.spencermakenzies.com.
by Richard Lieberman
The law firm of Benton, Orr, Duval & Buckingham has served Ventura since 1882. Moving to their current location at 39 North California Street in 1960 the firm has been in continuous service for many years. The firm in the 1950’s employed Erle Stanley Gardner attorney and prolific writer. He penned the well-known Perry Mason series of detective and attorney stories.
One long term attorney at the firm, Thomas E. Olson, has been at the firm since graduating from U.C. Davis in 1978. Occupying the same space since 1986 Olson said “you can tell I like change, 32 years in the same office” he stated.
Olson added, “the bulk of my practice consists of estate planning, probate, trust, and litigation. I have a good aptitude for numbers, so I know how to do accounting, there are a lot of attorneys I know that is an Achilles heel for them they don’t understand numbers really well.” “That is how my practice has grown through the years. Probate Court is the area I live in.”
“The firm since I started has always had a major litigation component.” The firm’s litigation department has for many years done work for Ventura City, County of Ventura, and various other entities. The firm has also done considerable amount of Pro-Bono work for various Ventura non-profits.
Since 1998 Olson has had responsibility as managing director handling the business side of the firm. Currently the firm has 7 attorneys working on various aspects of the business. Olson also reports his most interesting case goes back 60 years. “It’s a case where I got my best result ever” he said.” The case concerned real estate and probate over an extended period. Eventually winning the case and having property in question returned to a legal heir.
Here at the Breeze we celebrate and appreciate a firm with such a long term relationship of trust and reliability for the Ventura community.
(805)648-5111 www.bentonorr.com
Recently Ventura Chamber ribbon cuttings were held at the following businesses. Photos by Michael Gordon
The Vent: Human Performance Center , 4013 Main St. 995-9030.
Dena Rogers State Farm® Insurance Agent , 970 S. Petit Ave. 642-9715
Ventura Bike HUB , 490 N. Ventura Ave. 641-2665
Ambrosia by Caffrodite ,1987 E Main Street 628.9289
The Island Packer family was presented commemorative plaque celebrating 50 years. Photo by Samantha Crisp
Island Packers celebrated its 50th year of providing transportation, education and research support for Channel Islands National Park on Saturday, May 12 at the Channel Islands National Park Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center located in the Ventura Harbor.
The celebration included food from Harbor restaurants and inspirational and historical speeches for the over 200 who attended.
Fifty years ago Bill Connally, co-founder of Island Packers, had a dream to share the beauty of the Channel Islands by providing excursions to the islands. To do this he bought a World War II vintage converted navy boat. The family christened the vessel Island Packer on Mother’s Day in 1968.
Island Packers continues to be a family tradition run by three generations. Island Packers is managed by siblings Mark Connally as company president, Cherryl Connally as vice president and marketing director. Lil Connally is retired but still consults the business, Jason Wendel (Cherryl ’s son) is a boat captain. Longtime employee-turned-partner Alex Brodie is the fleet manager.
In 2001 they purchased their first 145-person catamaran, 2 years later, they added another and in 2013, they added still another.
Island Packers provides opportunities for the public to learn about the islands, whales and marine life. They have been educating school children and youth groups through their “floating classroom” field trips since 1998.
Recent Primrose Excursion trip took the group Los Olivos for a wine tour and painting.
by Rebecca Wicks
Bonnie Wiley has worn many hats throughout her years, but all have had one focus – to help people find happiness in their current life. Today she helps people find happiness through travel with her company, Primrose Excursions, which designs and sells trips ranging from day excursions to longer and even international destination tours. Wiley who is a recreation therapist by degree and has served in the field of behavioral therapy at rehabilitation clinics and state hospitals alike has always believed what you do in your free time is pinnacle to your overall health and happiness.
“I found when working with patients in recovery, what a person does in their leisure time often gives them overall value.” said Wiley. “Those who occupied their free time with something fulfilling seemed to always do better.”
Today, Wiley doesn’t use charts or treatment plans, but the goal is the same, to get people out of the house.
Before starting Primrose Excursions, Wiley supervised the City of Ventura’s two senior centers including its nutrition and travel programs. In her 12 years working for the City she grew the travel program from a very small program to a very successful and almost autonomous program.
“When we started it was a ‘hey, let’s go to Santa Barbara for lunch’ kind of venture,” said Wiley. “From there it grew and grew into a robust program with extended tours.”
In the end, the City terminated the extended tour part of the travel program, citing they were not in the business of travel. Wiley decided there was still a need and place for this type of programming in Ventura and started her company almost four years ago this month. She now organizes and sells 35-40 trips a year. She also acts as the tour director on all of these trips. In addition to these, she partners with three other companies that offer longer trips.
Wiley’s travelers are generally over 40, with most in their 60s. She stresses people come from all different kinds of backgrounds but have a similar interest in having their travel taken care of for them.
“There is value in group travel,” said Wiley. “You’re not alone. You may not know where to eat, I take care of that. You don’t have to depend on online reviews, I’ve already been there, I’ve already evaluated on your behalf.”
Wiley’s excursions regularly range from 30 to 56 people in size. Trips often have themes. For example, on a recent day trip the group visited a Japanese garden that was part of a water treatment plant in the San Fernando Valley, followed by lunch at a Japanese restaurant. The adventure ended with a tour of the Pacific Asian Museum in Pasadena. A Ben Franklin themed excursion took the group to Forest Lawn where they toured Revolutionary War era chapels, to a restaurant that was formerly a fire house – Franklin helped start the firehouse in Philadelphia – and later to the public library in downtown Los Angeles, because Franklin founded the first lending library in the United States.
Wiley even offers “surprise tours,” where travelers don’t know where they are heading to and are asked to pack in layers and bring comfortable walking shoes. A recent surprise trip took a group to Lake Arrowhead Resort. Upcoming excursions include a Dodgers baseball game, a night out to see the musical Singing in the Rain, and a trip to Hoover Dam and Las Vegas with extended tours through her partners going to Alaska, Washington D.C. and Thailand.
“People appreciate that I’m detail oriented and they know what they are getting,” said Wiley. “One of the main draws is they don’t have to drive, deal with traffic or parking – they can sleep, relax and know once they’ve arrived, they are taken care of.”
by James Francis Gray
The MacIsaac family persevered through life’s most difficult challengers to open Traveler Café, located at 1070 E. Front St.
Traveler Café, founded by three generations of the MacIsaac family— Grandfather, Robert MacIsaac, first, who passed away in February of 2018, Father, Tony MacIsaac, second and daughter, Lara MacIsaac, third. They began with a common desire to create a unique eating establishment here in the Ventura area.
Lara’s parents, Tony and Jennifer, were vital in the very beginning, designing the restaurant and negotiating the lease, etc. Lara, from day one, handled the day-to-day operations.
A gathering place of comfort where food is prepared from scratch, served with warmth and a friendly smile. Customers are their family and family is always first.
After Lara earned a B.A in History from California State University, Channel Islands the family decided to open Traveler Café. It took almost one year before settling on the Front street location. Everyone pitched in, Tony, his wife, Jennifer, Lara and grandfather, all working long hours to achieve a set goal.
The newly restored establishment is in its second year, bringing a joyful eating experience to Ventura.
The café is inspired both, as individuals and as a family of world travelers. They do their own baking from scratch and smoke the meats on the premises. They create delicious recipes to ensure the tastiest worldwide culinary experiences.
Comfort inside and out, offer a special dining delight. The inside design has a collection of posters and knick-knacks from their world travels and have added customer travel photos, too. The dog friendly outdoor patio is a perfect spot for pet lovers.
High quality is tops with the Traveler Café patrons, new customers and anyone who walks through the friendly doors.
Traveler Café initially featured an eclectic menu. A new expanded menu, now offered to all by their best professional staff of cooks, bakers and friendly servers. They cannot thank enough, their dedicated staff and employees for making Traveler Café a success.
Traveler Café is and continues to be a wonderful and heartwarming success.
On April 28 , 2-4pm Ventura Food Coop will present a free workshop “Living Food” at Harvest Café. Discussion led by Michelle Lopez Dohrn and Susan Cousineau.
