“Made In” Ventura: Your Chance to Support Local in Tough (and Good) Times

by Visit Ventura

Never has there been a more important time to Support Local, and never has Supporting Local been made easier. Just look for Visit Ventura’s “Made In” logo on everything from Steve Walden lovingly crafted surfboards, to Latitudes Gallery’s stunning local photographs, to Leashless Brewing’s organic beer, which not only satisfies your cold beverage cravings, but also helps local farmers (read on). Like Ventura itself, “Made In” is (proudly) understated. You’ll find it (understatedly) displayed on products ranging from handmade handbags (MidiQueen Handbags), to innovative natural skin care products (Reves de Sabine), to impossibly creative chocolates (Top This Chocolate). The “Made In” logo translates to something as simple as it is important. You’ve purchased (or are perhaps quaffing) a piece of the happy jigsaw puzzle that defines Ventura community. Yes, at face value Visit Ventura’s “Made In” logo identifies distinctive products that are made here. But face value is just that. There’s always a story behind a story. Take MidiQueen Handbags. How local are Kristina Clark’s custom handbags? Every handbag is designed by Clark. She does it all, then has the assembly done by local craftsmen and seamstresses, then names the final product after family and friends. Or Reves de Sabine (translates, with good reason, to “Sabine’s dreams”). Sabine Dodane is first and foremost an artist. But she also possesses the meticulousness of an engineer. Dozens-fold little touches — crafting products only in small batches, using nothing synthetic, avoiding unnecessary packaging — that make a difference in her products, and in our world. Or Leashless Brewery. Yes, Leashless Brewery is a certified organic brewery (all their ingredients are free of GMOs, inorganic fertilizers, and pesticides). But you probably wouldn’t know that they give their brewery waste to local farmers who use it to make organic fertilizer. Visit Ventura’s ever-expanding “Made In” lineup also includes Brooklyn Charm, Rincon Brewery, Copperfield’s Gifts & Rarities and more. So many chances to find an authentic Ventura gift. And, more important, a fine way to embrace Ventura pride and send a message to the family that is our business community. You matter to us. And we will help you through this. Heartfelt thanks to our Ventura locals — and our Ventura locals-at-heart (all these products can be purchased online) for Supporting Local. Shopping, dining, hiking, beach-going, beer-quaffing, wine-tasting, and all manner of fun in the sun (because that’s what Ventura does best). Want to know (almost) everything about Ventura? Please order our FREE Ventura Inspiration Guide here.