Category Archives: Business

A stress-free mattress shopping experience opening in Ventura

The Sleep Shoppe, a locally-owned and operated retailer that focuses on creating a “stress-free mattress shopping experience”, will be opening its fifth Ventura County area store after leasing a 10,000 square foot facility on Main St. in Ventura.

The Sleep Shoppe has scheduled a soft opening at 4051 E. Main St., July 4th weekend.  The space was formerly occupied by West Marine.  Consideration of the lease with options is valued in excess of $3,000,000.  Haworth, broker/principal in the Ventura office of SVN, represented both The Sleep Shoppe and the property owner in the transaction.

The Sleep Shoppe already has stores in Simi Valley, Newbury Park, Oxnard and Agoura Hills.  The company’s products include mattresses, accessories, toppers, pillows, bedding, mattress pads, furniture, and adjustable bases.

The Sleep Shoppe’s locations offer complimentary coffee and tea in their “recharge stations” to create a relaxing atmosphere in which to shop.

Palermo Pizzeria has gained a following of local supporters

Yoshi’s career path into the restaurant business was “almost like an accident.” Photo by Zach Frankart

by Jenny Guy

Yoshi Namiki, owner of Palermo Pizzeria in Ventura, says his career path into the restaurant business was “almost like an accident.” Namiki came to California when he was 14, moving from Japan after his father, a mechanical engineer, took a position in Northridge –– and decided to call Simi Valley home. Fluent in both English and Japanese, Namiki held a career in computer sciences with an international company until he was 40.

After losing his job, he found himself headed toward bankruptcy. With a family of his own and no prospects, Namiki stumbled upon an opportunity to go into business for himself. He purchased a small deli in Simi Valley called Simi Sam’s Sandwich Factory –– one of the oldest delis in the region. Solely self-taught without any prior restaurant experience, Namiki chose to maintain the authenticity of the sandwich shop and kept many of the previous owner’s original recipes. This on-the-job training allowed him to develop his own culinary skills, and the gamble eventually paid off. The restaurant business has never been an easy sector of work to get into, which is why many aspiring restaurants never quite make it. While efforts can be made simpler by using a service such as QSR accounting to ensure that the books are properly managed, it is genuinely difficult to create a restaurant business that is both successful and sustainable.

Namiki sold Simi Sam’s to his brother and became the sole proprietor of the Italian Simi Valley staple Palermo Pizzeria. Seeing this new enterprise as an opportunity to make the restaurant his own, Namiki did a complete overhaul of the inherited menu. He spent months testing ingredients to find the perfect combinations –– placing special significance on perfecting his sauces.

business Palermo insetOn August 23, 2010, Namiki reopened the restaurant. He introduced new dishes under the Palermo Pizzeria name as a tribute to the original owners, the Cascio family, who established the restaurant in 1972. After two years of managing Palermo Pizzeria in Simi Valley, Namiki, a surfer, felt drawn to Ventura to be closer to the water. Two years to the day that Namiki had purchased the first Simi Valley location, August 23, 2012, Palermo Pizzeria was founded in Ventura.

The Ventura Palermo Pizzeria has since gained a following of local supporters for its fresh ingredients and meals made from scratch. The pizza dough is made onsite daily, all pasta sauces and salad dressings are homemade, and Namiki personally visits the market each morning (seven days a week) to handpick produce for Palermo Pizzeria’s salads and toppings. The results of these efforts are delicious dishes ranging from vibrant salads and flavorful soups to Italian classics like spaghetti and meatballs.

Located in Midtown Ventura at 1751 East Main Street, Palermo Pizzeria has a customer base estimated at 90 percent locals, and Namiki has come to know most by name. Palermo Pizzeria caters to its following, providing local favorites such as Surf Brewery beer and Panaro Brothers wine. The 1,500-square-foot establishment also houses a wide selection of art from Ventura native Scott O’Connor, who gifted Namiki with the restaurant’s one-of-kind signboard.

“When people come here, I want them to laugh and have fun. If I am, they will. And if I like it, chances are my guests will too,” said Namiki, a husband and father of two who now lives just across the street from Palermo Pizzeria in Ventura.

Both Palermo Pizzeria’s Simi Valley and the Ventura locations are open for business Monday through Sunday, more information can be found at www.palermos.biz.

Jenny Guy is the director of communications for Mustang Marketing and a resident of the City of Ventura.

Happy seventh anniversary Ladies Luncheon!

At a recent  Ladies Luncheon lucky Breeze publisher Sheldon was the first man invited to one of their luncheons.

by Carol Leish

The Ladies Luncheon is having its 7th Anniversary luncheon on June 2 at the Pierpont Inn Pavilion Room in beautiful Ventura.

The Ladies Luncheon was started by local Ventura Realtor, Laurie Ann Meyer-Ehrhardt, in June, 2009.

“A few of us met at the My Florist and Bakery in downtown Ventura.  The next month, when we met at the Pierpont Inn, we had 15 women for lunch.  By the third month, we had 35 women attending, I knew that it was important to continue these monthly lunches.”

Laurie started Ladies Luncheon because she saw a need for women to come together on a regular basis with a ‘no join’ obligation.  “With both no limit on the number of categories represented, and no need to attend every month women are able to attend when it’s convenient for them.  And, there is no limit on the number of categories represented.  Thus, we are representing many local businesses and various nonprofits within Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.  We continue to be able to provide women with both support and encouragement.”

Ladies Luncheon is the place, “To eat, meet, greet and shop,” according to Laurie.  “Our luncheons are not just for business.  It is also the place to relax, shop, and, to have fun!  What goes on at Ladies Luncheon stays at Ladies Luncheon! We average 45 women each month.  By allowing multiple categories, we are able to support the philosophy of the importance of building relationships in order to do business.  There is always enough business for everyone.”

Laurie’s mom, Pat Morris, who relocated to Ventura in 2012, started coming to Ladies Luncheon when she moved here.  “Mom has always been an inspiration to me and I am so blessed and fortunate for her to be able to participate here and to be supportive of all of us. Elaine O’Malia, of Laine Designs (www.lainedesigns.com) is the web wizard and acts as my right hand helper.”

To join our wonderful group please come on June 2 at our anniversary luncheon.  Go to our website www.TheLadiesLuncheon.com to pre-register  or pay at the door.  Like me, you’ll see the immense value of the supportive and lively group of women who do make a difference!

Our regular Ladies Luncheon’s May mixer, on May 26, from 5:30–7:30pm, will be co-ed so you men can join in the fun. It will be at Grapes & Hops at 454 E. Main St.  in Downtown There will be wine tasting and a no host bar. All are welcome (Guys too!). $15 for wine tasting.

 

Music Together opens in Ventura

Music Together, a popular Beverly Hills venue offering music classes for infants, babies, toddlers and preschoolers, recently opened a new location in Ventura. Music Together’s owner and director Siree Franks said she noticed a dearth of music education opportunities in the area, even prior to moving here with her two daughters in 2012.

“I knew there was a music void in Ventura and I wanted to fill it,” Franks said. “Music Together is my passion and I wanted to build a community of young families and music makers here in this beautiful seaside town that I now call home.”

“We sing, dance, play instruments and get silly in an informal, non-performance-oriented setting where children…can participate at their own personal pace and developmental level and still be a serious music education program.”

“Music not only helps a child’s early brain development with skills that will contribute to learning math, reading, and speech, but the activity of making music in a group surrounded by friends and family is a wonderful human bonding experience.”

Music Together currently hosts a variety of weekly offerings, including mixed-age classes, a class just for babies, and even an evening class catering to working parents who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to accompany their children.

Franks highlighted the importance of word-of-mouth in broadening Music Together’s scope. “Every session, as parents share news about our little center, we grow just a bit bigger and are able to add a class or two.”

970 Petit – www.venturamusictogether.com

BoHo Chic now open in Ventura

business BohoThere is a new store in town, BoHo Chic located at 973 E. Front Street, across the street from The Wharf.  Owner, April Michalski-Toth, brings years of creative designing and the love of style and comfort to her new boutique.   April grew up in Pierpont just a few hundred feet from the beach. She served in the military and lived all over the country but she has always carried Ventura in her heart as her home.  She started making jewelry in 2014 to honor her sister who passed away suddenly, her hobby turned into her passion and BoHo Chic was born in April, 2016.  BoHoChic’s grand opening is May 28th, please join her for food, music and merriment!  BoHo Chic offers a unique variety of women’s clothing, jewelry and accessories along with fun vintage faire including furniture, houseware and so much more.  As of May 18th the store hours are Tuesday -Sunday 10:30-5:30 or by appointment, 916.955.1292.

NAWBO celebrating outstanding women in business and leadership

 

The NAWBO Ventura County Chapter Board of Directors 2015-2016  Diane de Mailly, Elain Hollifieild, Maura Ratffensperger, Dr. Janis Shinkawa, Coleen King, Brenda Terzian and Joy Sakata were there to celebrate the awards. Board Members not pictured are Pamela Smith and Linda Drevenstedt.
The NAWBO Ventura County Chapter Board of Directors 2015-2016  Diane de Mailly, Elain Hollifieild, Maura Ratffensperger, Dr. Janis Shinkawa, Coleen King, Brenda Terzian and Joy Sakata were there to celebrate the awards. Board Members not pictured are Pamela Smith and Linda Drevenstedt.

The Ventura County Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) held their 17th Annual Bravo awards and luncheon on Friday, April 1st at the beautiful Serra Center in Camarillo. It celebrated outstanding women in business and leadership.

“We were impressed with many exceptional nominations this year,” stated Dr. Janis Shinkawa, President, NAWBO Ventura County.

The local Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners is committed to strengthening the wealth creating capacity of its members while promoting economic development within the entrepreneurial Ventura County community. www.nawbovc.org.

 

Students receiving awards were from all areas in and around Ventura County

21 adult re-entry students each received a Phoenix Scholarship.
21 adult re-entry students each received a Phoenix Scholarship.

On Thursday, March 31 at Ventura College Wright Event Center Ventura College re-entry students received scholarships to help achieve their goals.

Foundation Donor Helen Yunker  addressed the audience with Foundation Executive Director Nobert Tan.
Foundation Donor Helen Yunker  addressed the audience with Foundation Executive Director Nobert Tan.

The 17th Annual Phoenix Scholarship Ceremony offered larger scholarships, helping students overcome financial hardships

21 adult re-entry students, who have overcome difficult circumstances in order to pursue their studies at Ventura College, each received a Phoenix Scholarship between $1,000 and $5,000 from the Ventura College Foundation. These students have inspiring stories that all share a common thread: Never give up on the dream of a college education. A total of $37,000 was distributed at the event.

The event was hosted by the Foundation’s staff and board of directors.

In previous years, all students received $1000. The larger scholarships launched this year reflect the increasing cost of education and several Foundation donors’ desire to relieve as many barriers to education as possible.

Recipients were selected based on their academic goals and progress, along with their financial need.

The Ventura College Foundation’s board of directors established the scholarship in 1999 after learning about the unique challenges of Ventura College re-entry students. Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation provides financial support to the students and the programs of Ventura College to facilitate student success and grow the impact and legacy of Ventura College as a vital community asset. For more information, contact the Foundation at  289-6461 or visit www.venturacollege.edu.

 

The Vagabond Coffee Shop turns 50

Ventura Breeze Account Executive Breezy Gledhill and Publisher Emeritus Staci Brown helped Jolene celebrate Vagabond’s anniversary.

The Vagabond is celebrating 50 years of service to their most valued and dedicated customers.

Owner Jolene McBee told the Breeze “I came to the Vagabond in February 1975. I wasn’t really looking for a job as I had four children at home  . My sister worked there and asked me to come and help out until the manager could hire someone. I could just work half a day and I’d be home before my kids got home. So, I said, okay.”

“Vagabond opened in 1966. Mr. McBee was the manager at the time, working for  Duke Carter, the original owner of the Vagabond. He worked for  Carter for 19 years and was allowed to operate the restaurant like it was his own. When I started there he was supposed to hire someone else,. As it turned out, he never hired anyone else and a 1979, Mac and I were married.”

business vagabond inset“Six years later, Mr. Carter was ready to sell the business. We purchased it and worked  together. We both had the same goals…to offer our customers good food and good service at a fair price. Sadly, we lost Mac in 2003.”

“A lot of restaurants refer to themselves as “a family restaurant”. Vagabond truly is that. Over the years, a lot of people have come to recognize that the Vagabond is different from most businesses, that it is much, much more than just a restaurant. It is a very special place. A place where friends gather to enjoy each other’s company over a good meal. Where executives meet to discuss business over a quick lunch. Where a loan diner can come and have a meal and feel comfortable and safe and welcome. “

“On numerous occasions, customers have come to me and said “don’t ever change” and “don’t ever go away”, because there is no place like Vagabond. “

“Their stories are many  like the young boy who had a life-threatening illness and the Make-A-Wish foundation granted some of his wishes. One of which was to arrive in a limo and have dinner at the Vagabond. “

“In the past few years, I have had some health issues that have affected my ability to do things the way I used to do them. In spite of that, I still go to the restaurant almost every day. I know the place would operate just fine without me, but I go because it is where the people I love are. It is my special place in life. “

“It has been our privilege, our pleasure and an honor to have been of service to so many for so many years. Many thanks to all of you for allowing us to do so. “

The Vagabond is located at 760 E. Thompson so stop in and say hi to Jolene and her wonderful staff.

A May graduation for VCLA

VCLA’s mission is to connect and empower a diverse group of leaders.

by Jenny Guy

The 35 cohort members of the 2016 Ventura County Leadership Academy (VCLA) will be graduating this May, with a celebration at Ventura City Hall.

Founded in 1994 as an initiative of United Way of Ventura County, VCLA’s mission is to connect and empower “a diverse group of leaders whose actions enhance the quality of life throughout Ventura County.” Now in its 21st year, the academy’s “Blackjack” Cohort XXI consists of a prestigious roster of executives and budding personnel from a wide variety of regionally based organizations. Organizations of VCLA’s Cohort XXI include Habitat for Humanity, Ventura County Animal Services, Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast, Ventura County Credit Union, American Red Cross, Ventura County Fire and many more.

Basing curriculum on the relational leadership model, the 10-month VCLA program promotes and trains members on ethical and inclusive decision-making that benefits the common good. Once per month, the academy holds full-day sessions which confront cohort members with the interconnected realities of Ventura County’s economic development, transportation, health care, public safety, governance, agriculture, natural environment and education

“VCLA offers an amazing opportunity to be exposed to key challenges of, and opportunities for, the county as well as to meet the people that are charged with creating new visions to serve and grow our local economy,” said Ventura resident and employer liaison to VC Innovates, Hilary Howard of Cohort XXI.

The program spans from September to May with sessions taking place in various parts of the county. Beyond the monthly meetings, VCLA members are invited to participate in ride-alongs with local fire stations and law enforcement in order to gain additional insight into the county. They are also encouraged to network, socialize and share ideas outside of the academy’s scheduled itinerary.

“The VCLA program has taken my strength as a connector, and allowed me to expand my reach,” said Jill Shaffer, current executive director of VCLA. “Along the way, I’ve learned so much about the critical issues in our county and the actions I can take as an individual.”

For one session each year, the VCLA members are divided into small groups and assigned to explore Ventura County’s 10 cities. Each city group is then responsible for presenting their community explorations back to the cohort at later sessions.

VCLA members are also asked to Sacramento to hear from elected officials and other influencers of policy over a three-day session. On the 2016 Sacramento trip, Cohort XXI heard from Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, Assemblymember Das Williams, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and a number of other dignitaries on issues relating to Ventura County — as well as the state of California and the nation.

For more information on VCLA, visit vcunitedway.org.

Jenny Guy is the director of communications for Mustang Marketing, a current member of the VCLA’s Cohort XXI, co-chair for the Public Relations Society of America’s Young Professionals Club and a resident of the City of Ventura.

Passport Habits in Midtown has opened.

business passport habitsBringing the world to Ventura is a Ramirez family goal. After living in the Middle East for 2 years and scouring the globe for handmade treasures, Michelle and Anthony are thrilled to have brought them back to share with our community.  For a taste of wanderlust visit Passport Habits at 1987 E. Main St. Open Wednesday-Sunday.

645-6708 – Passporthabits.com