Category Archives: Business

Zoppé: An Italian Family Circus Transports Ventura Families to Venice with Carnevale di Venezia

At the center of it all is the Zoppé family.

The Ventura County Fairgrounds is set to be transformed into a spectacle of wonder and awe as Zoppé: An Italian Family Circus brings Carnevale di Venezia to life from December 15-January 1, 2024. The entire family will travel on an exquisite journey through time, delving deep into intrigue, extravagance and celebration of life and art that is the essence of Venetian Carnevale. Co-produced by Luca Colferi, esteemed director of Campagnie de Calza—one of the world’s oldest theater companies hailing from Venice—this show promises an unparalleled experience of wonder, artistry and family-friendly entertainment.

Zoppé Family Circus brings the spirit of Venice to life with meticulously crafted costumes and masks handmade in the heart of the city. Traditional Venetian music sets the stage for a 500-year-old commedia preshow that takes place in front of the Big Top, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of this historic carnival. At the conclusion of the commedia preshow, guests are immersed in Carnevale as they walk across a bridge and through the Zoppe passport office, getting their Zoppe passport stamped for Venice.

Performances large and small captivate audiences with incredible human talent. The Zoppé Acrobatic Troupe performs on the Chinese Poles, a staggering demonstration of strength and balance where acrobats climb and jump between tall poles. Canine capers bring humor, jugglers display dexterity and timing, and two majestic horses thunder around the ring, ultimately joining the dogs for a unique horse and dog act. Performers hail from around the world, including a dynamic acrobatic limbo and dance act from Kenya and a touching father-daughter act from Mexico.

At the center of it all is the Zoppé family, with Giovanni Zoppé performing with his son and a special audience member, and his daughters wowing audiences with their aerial lyra artistry. The evening culminates in a dance procession to old world music that brings a feeling of nostalgia for simpler times. Representing 7 generations of circus artists, the Zoppé family invites you into their Big Top home to experience the true meaning of circus–family, support and community.

While in Ventura, the Zoppe Family Circus will host two special events: Circus Camp and a New Year’s Eve Under the Big Top. Circus Camp teaches the circus arts to children right in the ring, and more importantly teaches the art of self confidence. Camp takes place December 26-29 for children from 7-15 years old and culminates in a family show the final hour of camp.

New Year’s Eve Under the Big Top is the perfect family tradition with the entertaining Carnevale di Venezia performance plus party favors and a countdown to a balloon drop at the finale of the show. The whole family can ring in the New Year together early!

Business Profile: ABC Rugs Kilims: Weaving Stories of Tradition and Elegance in Oxnard

ABC Rugs Kilims is more than just rugs.

Located in Oxnard, ABC Rugs Kilims is not just a store but a testament to the rich tapestry of life, culture, and art. Founded by Mano Zandi in 1975, the journey began in Spain, where his love for art and rugs took root. Since then, ABC Rugs Kilims has evolved into a global destination, with branches in Canada and LA before finding its current home in Oxnard in 2022.

Mano and several partners / investors behind ABC Rugs Kilims bring not only a diverse cultural background but also a commitment to excellence. With a collection curated over decades, their one-of-a-kind rugs are personally chosen for quality, colors, designs, and various sizes. Setting themselves apart, they proudly match prices and offer an additional 20% discount against competitors, ensuring unparalleled value.

What truly distinguishes ABC Rugs Kilims is the personalized touch. From lifetime warranties to 6 months of interest-free payments, Mano Zandi goes above and beyond to cater to his customers’ needs. Specialized orders, whether it’s a unique size, color, or design, are crafted with precision, attracting a diverse clientele, including notable figures like Beau Bridges, Bob Safari and family of Michael Jackson along with many more other celebrities.

But ABC Rugs Kilims is more than just rugs; it’s a haven for home decor enthusiasts. The store boasts a captivating collection of famous oil paintings from Spain, France, Italy, and alongside Persian Miniature fine art handmade paintings. Antique enthusiasts can find treasures like authentic Art Antique Persian engraved brass vases and timeless antique furniture.

One of the partners will soon be retiring. As the dynamic duo and some other partners embark on this journey, ABC Rugs Kilims invites you to partake in their grand retirement sale. 

With over 35,000 items to choose from, this is a rare opportunity to own a piece of art, culture, and history. Whether you’re a homeowner, a fellow rug store, or an interior designer, ABC Rugs Kilims welcomes you to experience the allure of tradition and elegance in the vibrant city of Oxnard. 

Come and explore the world woven into every rug, kilim and discover the great opportunity that awaits you.

Local entrepreneur transforms passion into thriving beauty business

The Ventura Chamber held a ribbon cutting at Ambitious Beauty on December 9.

In 2019, Kimberly Ramos embarked on a journey that transformed her passion into a successful beauty business. Initially working a 9-5 job, Kimberly’s pivotal moment occurred during a trip to Mexico, where a less experienced beautician sparked her interest in nail art. Inspired, she began practicing on herself, later extending her skills to friends and family.

Frustration with her corporate job reached a tipping point, leading Kimberly to resign and take a leap of faith. Armed with determination, she initiated her beauty venture with a humble cardboard box as a makeshift table, leveraging social media for marketing. Soon after, she caught the attention of a local business, securing her first professional opportunity. Following that success, Kimberly dedicated time to honing her skills, earning her licenses and certifications.

Kimberly specializes in lash extensions, facials, and body contouring, utilizing a noninvasive slim massage method to eliminate stubborn fat and tone the body without resorting to surgery or downtime. Beyond her clientele, Kimberly is dedicated to empowering other women by imparting the artistry of lash extensions, body sculpting, and nails through her teaching initiatives.

Amidst her busy schedule, Kimberly finds solace in taking long walks on the beach with her faithful companions, Kobe and Canela. Her story serves as an inspiring testament to the possibilities that unfold when passion meets determination in the pursuit of one’s dreams.

Business Profile: Crumbl Cookies opens in Ventura

Zins has taken her love and passion for baking and turned it into a career.

Crumbl Cookies, a gourmet cookie store, has been serving Oxnard since 2022 and is now open in Ventura! With their iconic pink boxes and unique rotating menu, Crumbl is sure to have a flavor for everyone.

Local Crumbl franchise owner and operator Michelle Zins has taken her love and passion for baking and turned it into a career. Michelle, who is originally from Camarillo, left for Arizona to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management at Northern Arizona University in 2013. After working many jobs in the hospitality field, from 5-diamond resorts to the conference and wedding industry, Michelle found that her passion lies in the restaurant business. During the pandemic, Michelle was furloughed from her job and ended up relocating back to her hometown of Ventura County. The one place she missed the most after moving back to California was Crumbl Cookies. Since there was not a Crumbl Cookies location within a 50-mile radius, Michelle knew that Crumbl was just what Ventura County needed! She is now the franchise owner of both the Oxnard and Ventura locations and has loved serving up fresh cookies to the community over the past few years.

Crumbl Cookies is a locally owned and operated gourmet cookie shop. It was founded in 2017 by two cousins. After developing a recipe for the perfect chocolate chip cookie, they opened their first location in Logan, Utah. As Crumbl continued to grow, they expanded their menu to include new flavors. They eventually began franchising their stores and now have over 800 stores nationwide! Crumbl specializes in weekly rotating cookie flavors that vary from raspberry cheesecake and Oreo crumb cake to lemon poppy and much more! Their award-winning chocolate chip cookies are always on the menu, along with an additional 5 flavors to make sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Planning a holiday party, baby shower or wedding? Crumbl also offers catering in both regular sized and mini cookies! We offer in-store ordering, curbside, and delivery! Order on the Crumbl app or at www.crumblcookies.com today!

Visit us!
Crumbl Ventura
1708-C S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
805-666-2233
[email protected]

Crumbl Oxnard
365 W Esplanade Dr
Oxnard, CA 93036
805-307-0060
[email protected]

Monday-Thurday 8am-10pm
Friday & Saturday 8am-12am
Sundays closed

Iconic Downtown Restaurants Close

Three iconic downtown restaurants (all on same Main St. block) have closed. Limon Y Sal, Jimmy’s Slice (Jimmy Wright died in June) and Nature’s Grill. Jimmy’s Slice. The closing on Main to cars didn’t serve all restaurants (or other businesses) well.

Hopefully they (or new restaurants will open again soon. The owners of Limon y Sal say they’ll reopen soon.

Even though a sign at Nature’s Grill says “On vacation for the holidays,” this closing might be permanent.

The space at Jimmy’s Slice has been rented and a new restaurant could open early next year.

Limon y Sal has announced on social media it will be re-opening as early as next month.

Business Profile: Honey Baked Ham Ventura: A New Beginning with a Family Touch

Ventura, home to a beloved Honey Baked Ham store, has recently undergone a significant change. Formerly a franchise, the Ventura store is now proudly corporate-owned. Along with this shift in ownership comes a fresh and enthusiastic face at the helm: Nicole Cody. Nicole assumed the role of manager earlier this year in July 2023, bringing with her a wealth of experience in management and a deep commitment to customer service.

What sets Nicole apart is her decade-long residency in Ventura and her deep connection to Southern Californian culture. She understands the community, its tastes, and its values, which she aims to reflect in her role at the store.

Nicole was drawn to Honey Baked Ham by its unique family atmosphere and core values. The company prioritizes its employees and instills in them the mission of fostering family meals and fellowships. This genuine commitment to both customers and staff is what sets Honey Baked Ham apart.

Honey Baked Ham is no newcomer to the food scene, delighting palates across the nation since its inception in 1957. Harry J. Hoenselaar opened the first store in Detroit, Michigan, and the tradition spread far and wide.

What makes Honey Baked Ham the world’s best ham is the care and dedication that goes into every product. Their unique glaze and sandwich qualities result from using the highest quality bone-in smoked ham. The founder, Harry Hoenselaar, developed a unique curing and cooking procedure that creates a one-of-a-kind taste – a taste that can only be described as perfection.

The Ventura location is expanding its offerings, making Honey Baked Ham a year-round indulgence. Nicole Cody plans to focus on catering and lunch boxes beyond the holiday season, allowing more people to savor the exceptional taste.

Employees at Honey Baked Ham receive special perks, including a free ham or turkey breast for their holiday celebration, free lunch during each shift, and flexible schedules.

In the heart of Ventura, Honey Baked Ham remains a place for the community to gather, enjoy delicious food, and create lasting memories. With Nicole Cody’s leadership and the commitment to quality and family values, the Ventura store is set to be an even more cherished part of the local culinary landscape. Don’t miss your chance to join the team on National Hiring Day on Nov. 4th from 10 AM to 4.

www. honeybaked.com/stores/8982

Ventura Chamber ribbon cutting for St. Bonaventure High School Black Box Theatre

Photo by Michael Gordon

The Ventura Chamber held a ribbon cutting for St. Bonaventure High School Black Box Theatre.

The versatility of the Black Box Theatre gives actors, directors and designers absolute artistic freedom. With flexible seating arrangements, each production can have a customized actor-audience relationship. Combined with a full complement of theatrical lighting, sound and video technologies, this performance space offers unlimited possibilities.