This issue’s Local Legend is Clarey Rudd, a beloved local business owner and founder of the Ventura Downtown Organization, which advocated for the responsible growth, beautification, and development of downtown Ventura. Clarey was born in Oxnard in 1952 but has spent most of his life in Ventura. He grew up working in his parents’ bookstore in Oxnard. During his time at California State University, Fresno, the owner of one of the largest independent bookstores in the nation invited Clarey to work for him, and just 12 months later, he became manager of the bookstore.
In June 1974, at age 22, Clarey opened a bookstore in Ventura called Rudd’s Christian Supplies. This was the second store for the family business, which eventually expanded to Camarillo and Santa Paula. After his father had an accident, Clarey became responsible for the Ventura and Santa Paula bookstores, and then expanded to Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, and Bellflower. Clarey also conducted workshops and wrote for a trade magazine.
By 1994, all of the family bookstores had been sold, and Clarey bought the Second Time Around bookstore in historic downtown Ventura, which he renamed Bank of Books. Bank of Books went on to be voted Ventura County’s number one independent bookstore for 19 years. The store was known for its large selection of new, used, and rare books, including some from the 1700s and 1800s, and many original signed editions. Bank of Books also hosted events such as readings, talks, author signings, and book groups to support the local arts community.
In 2022, Bank of Books was forced to close due to a significant rent increase. However, Clarey and his wife, Debby, continue to share their passion for books from their Bank of Books shop in Santa Paula and their Midtown Ventura bookstore, Abednego Book Shoppe.
“We read for so many reasons,” says Clarey. “Reading gives us hope; we see how others have lived through difficult challenges. Reading helps us escape and relax… to travel to other places. It helps us gain knowledge. Reading helps us discover history; in learning from the past we might learn how not to destroy ourselves with ignorance. Reading helps us gain empathy, by learning about other peoples and cultures different from our own.”
Clarey has served on various boards and committees in Ventura, including Ventura Missionary Church and Bible Fellowship Church. On three occasions, he has been listed as a finalist on the Ventura County Star’s “Hardest Working People of Ventura County.” In 2021, due to the devastation wrought on the restaurant industry by the pandemic, Clarey made a New Year’s resolution to show support to local small businesses and committed to eat at 150 different restaurants that year, posting photos of the restaurants he visited. He currently serves as a volunteer on the board of directors for the Santa Paula Downtown Property Business Improvement District (PBID), which finances activities and amenities that improve Santa Paula’s downtown corridor and enhance the experience for residents and visitors. Last year, Clarey was part of the marketing committee promoting the 150th anniversary of Ventura County.
Today, in addition to his many civic roles and responsibilities, Clarey continues to thrive doing what he loves best – selling books. He lives in Ventura with beloved his wife of 44 years, Debby, and enjoys spending time with his three daughters and two granddaughters.
