Category Archives: Business

Concours Motors’ Wheels to Shine Program Honors Ojai’s Caleb Hester

Caleb Hester and fiancée Maya Norris (center) with Concours Motors CEO Gerardo “J.R.” Luna (right) and COO Rita Luna (left). Photo by Marie Gregorio-Oviedo @marie_the_photographer

On October 29, Concours Motors of Ventura celebrated its eighth annual Wheels to Shine Giveaway, awarding a pristine 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320 and a year of free maintenance to Ojai resident Caleb Hester. Caleb, 20, was selected from 60 nominees for the honor.

A recent Summa Cum Laude graduate from Pepperdine University, Caleb completed high school years ahead of schedule, finishing with nearly two years of college credits and maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout his studies. Tragically, his mother, Lisa Hester, 43, was struck and killed by a speeding driver on July 31 while walking on a crosswalk, leaving behind Caleb and his seven younger siblings, the youngest just four years old. Friends describe Caleb as a quiet, dedicated, and compassionate young man who has become a pillar of strength for his grieving family.

Caleb was nominated for Wheels to Shine by close family friend Fawn Parish of Camarillo. Shortly after receiving the award, Caleb married his childhood sweetheart, Maya Norris, 19.

Concours Motors CEO Gerardo “J.R.” Luna and COO Rita Luna, known for their philanthropy in Ventura County, contribute to over 18 local organizations, participate in beach cleanups, and support youth through the Police Activities League. They say the Wheels to Shine giveaway is particularly meaningful because it allows them to share their skills as master technicians. “We’re so grateful to everyone who nominated someone for this year’s Wheels to Shine. As always, our nominations committee had a nearly impossible task, but Caleb and his family are truly inspiring. We can’t wait to see what he accomplishes with his new car,” shared J.R. Luna.

Friends of the Hester family have set up a GoFundMe page to help Caleb pursue his dream of attending medical school: GoFundMe link. To learn more about Concours Motors’ Wheels to Shine program, visit WheelsToShine.com.

Business Profile: Franklin’s Ace Hardware

Franklin’s Hardware celebrates its Grand Opening with a Chamber Ribbon Cutting on Friday, November 8.

Franklin’s Hardware has proudly served as the friendly neighborhood hardware store for 70 years. As a proud family-run business, we’ve consistently provided exceptional customer service and expert advice, earning the trust of our community for all things hardware. Our extensive inventory includes everything from paint and electrical supplies to cabinet hardware and plumbing essentials, making us the go-to destination for experienced contractors and DIY enthusiasts. We also strive to be your one stop shop for all things BBQ. We have a wide selection of top-of-the-line BBQ’s, accessories, spices, sauces, rubs and more.

In 2019, we proudly expanded our family-run legacy to the vibrant city of Ventura, CA. Our East End store has been a cherished part of the community for the past 5 years. Our commitment to exceptional customer service and a welcoming atmosphere continues as we open our second Ventura location in beautiful Midtown. Visit us at one of our locations now: 1870 E. Thompson Boulevard & 7838 Telegraph Road.

We are grateful for the opportunity to support and connect with our neighbors, standing by you as a reliable partner for all your projects, whether big or small. Thank you for letting us be a part of your neighborhood. Stay tuned for the Grand Opening of our Garden Center (Midtown location) Spring 2025.

You can follow us on Instagram @franklinsacehardware_vta or Facebook at Franklins Ace Hardware – Ventura for all the latest news.

Business Profile: The Greek

Last weekend, locals and visitors reveled in the Halloween festivities at Ventura Harbor. The celebration kicked off with the Annual Witches Paddle, followed by live music, the adorable HOWL-O-WEEN Dog Costume Contest, Seaside Trick-or-Treat, giant expertly carved pumpkins, and even a Thriller Zombie Dance.

Amidst all the fun, the iconic Greek Restaurant stood out. This family-friendly eatery has attracted patrons to the harbor for over 30 years.

Gerasimos (Makis) and Lynn Mikelatos began their culinary journey in 1980 with their first venture, “It’s Greek To Me,” at Centerpoint Mall. From delectable lamb chops to hearty moussaka, their restaurants have offered a taste of Greece alongside lively belly dancing and Greek dance shows.

Adapting to the times, “The Greek” added Tango 2nd and 4th Tuesday and The Greek After Dark any night by prior arrangement, featuring specialty drinks and a virtual DJ spinning ’80s hits from 9 pm to midnight. This fresh twist, combined with classic Greek flavors, showcases the restaurant’s ability to evolve while honoring its roots.

Their commitment to the community extends beyond food, with active involvement in local schools, the Ventura Chamber, and nonprofits, blending flavors with a spirit of giving.

With some loyal employees marking over 30 years with “The Greek,” it remains a family affair, offering breathtaking views that transport diners to Greece’s sunlit shores. Today, “The Greek” stands as a symbol of tradition, passion, and Mediterranean hospitality, inviting all to celebrate life, love, and fine cuisine.

Check out their full breakfast menu and spacious venue for your upcoming holiday gatherings. And with the holidays fast approaching, make reservations early for one of the best views in town to enjoy the Parade of Lights and New Year’s Eve celebrations!

Experience Local Flavors at Paradise Pantry: A Restaurant, Wine Shop, and Artisan Market

Paradise Pantry is a premier downtown establishment that serves the neighborhood as a great Restaurant, an acclaimed Cheese Counter and a remarkable Wine Shop. Paradise Pantry is a destination for everyone.

Co-owner Chef Kelly Briglio uses the seasonal bounty of the Central Coast to create dishes featuring house-made pasta, made-from-scratch soups, and farm-fresh salads to entice every palate and pair well with co-owner Tina Thayer’s curated wine list.

Begin with a cheese plate, then a great main dish and end with a delicious dessert. Dine on the patio or inside, or order takeout. Don’t miss shopping next door in the Paradise Pantry Artisan Market.

The Paradise Pantry Artisan Market which includes an expansive Cheese Counter and well-stocked Wine Shop, carries a curated selection of local and international food specialties — cheese, salami, olives, wines, craft beers, jams, chocolates and more.

Let the experts behind the Cheese Counter guide you on pairing wine and cheese and ask about grab-and-go and custom gifts. Worked up a hunger while shopping? Circle back to Paradise Pantry Restaurant next door and order a cheese plate, a great meal, a wine flight and an excellent dessert.

“We strive to make eating great food and drinking fantastic wine a fun, inviting, and educational experience for all that wish to experience it. We are passionate supporters of local farms and businesses, culinary lovers, wine drinkers and quality-food snobs. We created this restaurant to be what we loved and in our community. A foodie’s Paradise,” Chef Kelly

Business Profile: Banh Mi Paris Sandwiches

Located in Ventura’s Victoria Village (by Harbor Freight Tools and Victoria Pub and Grill) is a hidden gem of Vietnamese cuisine. If you’re familiar with Vietnamese must-haves like Pho, you’ll be delighted with the restaurant’s fresh Banh Mi varieties, as well as other local favorites. What truly sets their Banh Mi apart is the homemade, fresh-baked baguettes, prepared daily right in their kitchen—unlike other restaurants that have their bread delivered. These crispy baguettes are filled with your choice of meat, pickled vegetables, cilantro, lime, chile, and other ingredients that give the Banh Mi its signature flavor. Aside from these delicious sandwiches, the menu boasts spring rolls, noodles, Peruvian-inspired stir fry, and rice dishes. As the weather cools, their Pho is the perfect soul-soothing comfort food.

Manager Phong Nguyen is a chef at heart, having grown up in the family restaurant business since the 1990s. At a young age, he became the main chef and kitchen manager for The Vox Kitchen in Fountain Valley, where he worked for many years. The Vox is a trendy, Orange County-based fusion restaurant that draws inspiration from cuisines around the world, and it earned a spot on Yelp’s Top 100 US Restaurants list in 2022.

Nguyen opened his first restaurant in Oxnard in 2005. With his family now living in Ventura, he decided to join Paris Sandwiches, closer to home. The restaurant launched at the end of 2019, right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, which posed obvious challenges. Thankfully, delivery services like DoorDash and Grubhub helped sustain the business during that tough time.

Over the past four years, while the menu has evolved, some local favorites have stayed the same—Pho, Banh Mi, vermicelli, and garlic noodles. The restaurant continues to introduce new flavors to keep the options fresh. Recently, the dine-in area was reopened, and there are plans to expand the menu further. Be on the lookout for daily or weekly specials, along with their fresh-baked baguettes that many don’t know are made in-house daily! Be sure to visit them at the upcoming 2024 Fall Business Expo at the Four Points Sheraton on October 10, from 4pm to 6:30pm and, sample some of their delicious offerings.

Catching Memories: Kevin Brannon and Reel Guppy Outdoors Inspire a Generation

“Catching Memories” is the mission of Reel Guppy Outdoors, a free youth fishing program founded by Kevin Brannon. Seeing a need in his community, Brannon realized many kids longed for someone to take them fishing, just as he had done with his own children. His inspiration came from his own childhood, growing up in a low-income, single-parent household after the loss of his father. Life became a cycle of foster homes and shelters, leaving Brannon with uncertainty and hardship.

Living near the Port Hueneme Pier, Brannon found solace in fishing, often using salvaged fishing lines and hooks. Armed with a tin can as his makeshift fishing pole and leftover bait from the pier, he became a modern-day Huck Finn, finding peace and escape in the ocean.

By the age of 9, Brannon began working aboard local party boats, assisting passengers with fishing. The boats gave him a sense of safety, purpose, and solitude, which further fueled his passion for the sport and helping others. These experiences eventually shaped the foundation of what would become Reel Guppy Outdoors.

More than 25 years later, Brannon produces Reel Anglers Fishing Show California, which includes the Reel Guppy Outdoors program. His goal is to pass along his connection with the ocean, using fishing as a tool to foster self-worth, leadership, and success in the youth he mentors. The same survival skills that once saved him are now helping a new generation thrive.

Brannon also created Ocean of Opportunity, a program that brings California’s marine ecosystems to students through interactive simulations. In these lessons, classrooms explore piers, lakes, rivers, and tide pools, with a particular focus on the nearby Channel Islands National Park. Using props, artificial lures, and displays, students learn about marine life, responsible fishing, and conservation. The program includes an in-class clinic and an outdoor fishing trip, where participants practice knot-tying, explore wildlife, and engage in team-building activities.

The Reel Guppy Learning Center expands on this with hands-on marine education, video production, and media skills, empowering young people to connect responsibly with their local waters. To date, the program has served over 7,000 children, all free of charge.

On September 7, 2024, the Port Hueneme City Council recognized Brannon as one of the 2024 Hueneme Heroes Award recipients, honoring his significant contributions to the community. This recognition, as a hometown hero, was perhaps Brannon’s most meaningful award.

For more information about Reel Guppy Outdoors, please visit: www.reelguppyoutdoors.com.

Business Profile: Asiatique Eatery – Downtown Ventura

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Dee began her career in the restaurant industry in her early 20s in Bangkok, apprenticing under her brother, who co-owned a Michelin-starred restaurant at the time. She comes from a family of restaurateurs, with four family-owned establishments currently thriving in Seattle, all of which remain well-known in the community.

Before marrying, Dee and her husband, Yak—who is also a chef—each owned and operated their own Thai restaurants in Bangkok. Over 16 years ago, they joined forces to open a successful joint establishment in Bangkok, @ 17 Garden Cafe, which they operated for more than seven years. Both Dee and Yak were often invited by various food networks to demonstrate their popular dishes on Thai television.

Driven by their deep-rooted passion for authentic Thai cuisine, Dee and Yak stepped in to save Original Rice Thai Cuisine from a family ownership breakdown over 10 years ago. When Dee relocated from Bangkok to California in 2015 to take over the restaurant, she gradually diversified the menu, enhancing the offerings with signature dishes like coconut Tom Yum noodles and Khao Soi—a yellow noodle dish in creamy coconut curry broth topped with crispy fried noodles, green onions, red onions, and lime.

In 2021, Dee and her husband opened Asiatique Eatery to further showcase their culinary craft and expertise. Despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant officially launched in January 2022. The success of Asiatique Eatery can be attributed to their dedication to bringing the best dishes from various Asian cuisines to local patrons, including Pho noodle soups, various ramen, and unique shave ice combinations that just melt in your mouth. Some of the most popular dishes at Asiatique Eatery—favorites from their Bangkok restaurant—include Woon Sen Pad Horapa, Spaghetti Kung Pao, Spaghetti Pad Kiew Wan, and Spaghetti Tom Yum.

Earlier this year, Asiatique Eatery was recognized with 2nd place in the Vegan Challenge West, which led to the addition of a dedicated Vegan Menu section at the restaurant.

For your culinary adventures check out their menu and website at www.asiatiqueonmain.com.

Business Profile: Rowan Boutique

Rowan Boutique is an upscale women’s clothing boutique nestled in the Pierpont neighborhood of Ventura, California. Located by the ocean, we offer a carefully curated collection of apparel, accessories, shoes, and home decor that embody the essence of the quintessential California woman—a carefree lifestyle that’s both effortless and chic. The Rowan babe is someone who embraces the beach life, with salty hair and sun-kissed skin from sunrise to sunset.

Gina Chadbourne, the owner of Rowan Boutique, first opened her store in Carpinteria in 2014. After commuting from Santa Clarita to Carpinteria for over seven years, Gina made the decision to relocate both her life and her store to the beloved beach town of Ventura. Her vision for this space is inspired by years of retail experience and a deep desire to fully embrace Ventura’s coastal lifestyle.

Gina’s background as a former buyer for Nordstrom has given her an acute eye for fashion. She is passionate about empowering women to look their best, regardless of any “problem areas,” by helping them find pieces that complement their body type and boost their confidence. Her focus is on serving mature women who still want to look trendy and have fun with fashion.

Some of the store’s highlights include everyday wear from Z Supply and premium quality jeans from Mother Denim, which are among her best-selling items. These jeans, made in the USA, are known for their flattering fit and high quality. The store also features custom jewelry and gifts crafted by local artists.

It would mean the world to Gina to have you visit the shop, whether in person or online. As a proud woman-owned and operated retail establishment, Rowan Boutique serves the community with both a physical and e-commerce presence, reaching from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles and everywhere in between.

Corrales Mexican Food Celebrates 50 Years!

Ribbon Cutting Caption: Corrales celebrates 50 years with a Chamber Ribbon Cutting on Aug 23rd. Photo by Ashley Pope

WOW! Half a century of authentic Mexican flavors and serving the Ventura community! On August 23rd and 24th, Corrales Mexican Food celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special Ribbon Cutting with the Ventura Chamber of Commerce and Mariachi, DJ, fun games, and good food!

Since 1974, Corrales has become not just a beloved to-go Mexican food spot, but an iconic establishment in the city of Ventura! The restaurant was founded by Leonor Corrales, on August 24, 1974. She brought her rich Mexican heritage from Zacatecas Mexico and her culinary expertise to Ventura. From its humble beginnings, Corrales set out to offer an authentic taste of Mexican dishes, blending traditional recipes with fresh, high-quality ingredients—all made from scratch!

Over the decades, Corrales Mexican Food has grown from a small, shared space in a local tortilleria on Ventura Avenue into a staple in the community. Known for delicious/authentic Mexican dishes and friendly service, the restaurant quickly became a favorite among both locals and visitors.

The menu at Corrales features a range of classic Tex-Mex dishes, including the local favorite corn burritos, enchiladas, 4-way burritos, and more. The restaurant is particularly renowned for its flavorful red salsa and expertly crafted dishes that honor traditional Mexican recipes. Every dish is prepared from scratch with care, using fresh ingredients daily and time-honored techniques.

Did you know that the burritos are made with ribeye steaks? There are also plans to include new seasonal items—so don’t hesitate to ask about the secret menu that’s in the works!

Today, Corrales Mexican Food stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic Mexican cuisine and the strength of family-run businesses. Thanks to the dedicated local cooks who have been with us for over 30 years, Corrales continues to be celebrated not only for its delicious food, loyal employees, and patrons but also for its vital role in the Ventura community. It remains a cherished landmark of local culture and culinary tradition.

Come visit Corrales Mexican Food at 795 E Thompson Blvd. at the corner of Ash and Thompson! For more information, visit www.corralesmexicanfood.com.