Downtown Ventura Shopping District

Downtown Ventura Shopping isn't just "shopping",
it's an experience!

As you stroll along Main Street in the downtown Ventura shopping district, it’s hard to imagine that dirt roads, wooden sidewalks, saloon halls (gun-fights included) were commonplace, not unlike any other “authentic western” town.

Today, the downtown area is a shopper’s haven with several unique boutiques, family-owned jewelry stores, hometown bookstores, antique shops and thrift stores, making downtown Ventura shopping a unique and fun experience.

Since there is much to choose from, here are several of our favorite shops to get you started...

CLOTHING

Blue Moon Clothing Outlet
600 E. Main Street
805-643-2553
Store Hours: Mon-Sat: 7-10:30, Sun: 12-5:30
Blue moon is kind of “like a box of chocolates”….well, you know the rest. That’s because they like to mix it up by offering different clothing styles and accessories (new and used) from one weekend to the next (or at least it seems that fast to me), all at affordable prices. And, unlike the other downtown stores that sell used clothing, you can try the stuff on before you buy!

Aphrodite’s
477 E. Main Street
805-652-0082
Store Hours: Mon-Thur: 10:30-7, Fri & Sat: 10:30-10, Sun: 11-6
A fun stop if you are looking for a gift for the bride-to-be or something to spice up those romantic weekend getaways.

JEWELRY

Silver Trends
493 E. Main Street
805-428-8070
Store Hours: Mon-Sat: 10 am-7 pm, Closed Sunday

Before moving to its present location on the corner of California and Main, we first discovered Silver Trends tucked away in the quiet hall way of the Zander Building. Finding Silver Trends was like stumbling onto a hidden treasure trove of earrings, necklaces and bracelets. The owner, Mo, greeted us ... Read more

Fox Fine Jewelry
210 E. Main Street
805-652-1800
Store Hours: Mon-Sat: 10:30-6, Closed Sunday

Voted Ventura County's best jeweler, Fox Fine Jewelry specializes in unique jewelry designs, and also carries Pandora jewelry. Owner George Fox is a Master Jeweler and Certified Gemologist who does repairs and custom design on-premises. Fox also travels to Antwerp, Belgium to purchase diamonds direct from the cutters. Sell them your gold, and they’ll recycle it in their custom designs!

BOOKS

Bank of Books
748 E. Main Street
805-643-3154
Store Hours: Mon-Thur: 10-7, Fri & Sat: 10-8, Sun: 10-5
Hands-down, the best used bookstore in town and a haven for book-lovers of all ages. With every genre available, you could spend hours browsing among the ceiling-high bookshelves before you even make it down to the second floor. “Used Book King” and store owner, Clarey Rudd, likes to greet everyone that comes in the door; and thanks to him, Ventura was deemed as an “international book city.” So far, Bank of Books has shipped books to over 85 countries.

FURNITURE

For Your Home Furniture
443 E Main Street
805-641-1919
Store Hours: Mon-Sat: 10-6:30, Sun: 11-5
As a casual shopper strolling down Main Street, you may not have home improvement on your mind. That is, of course, until you set foot inside Ventura’s most fun & unique furniture store in town... Read more

Antique & Nostalgia

Times Remembered
467 E Main St
805-643-3137
Store Hours: Sun-Thurs: 10:30-5:30, Fri & Sat: 10:30-9
You’ll find anything here from antique furniture pieces to retro-toys and games sure to push your nostalgic button. You just may leave with a set of Gumby and Pokey figures or a Felix-the-Cat clock.

Nicholby Antiques
404 E. Main Street
Several dealers have gathered here to create a trove of trinkets and other antique treasures. While not everything is antique, it’s a fun place to get lost in.

Update: Sadly, Nicholby's has closed for good. Another Ventura treasure gone! Hopefully the Nicholby's sign will remain as a history marker.

UNIQUE SHOPS

Rosie Lee Imports
673 E. Main Street
805-643-5832
Store Hours: Mon: 11-6, Tues-Sat: 10-6, Sun: 12-6
Do you miss the U.K., want to visit the U.K or are just plain curious about the Brits? Go and see Susanne (who is English) at Rosie Lee Imports. It's a British Import store with foods and gifts from the U.K., plus unique items from South Africa and Australia. They have a good selection of teas (loose and teabags), biscuits, teapots, mugs, sausages, meat pies, crisps, jams. pickles and much more. "Jolly good!"

B on Main
337 E. Main Street
805-643-9309
Store Hours: Mon-Thurs: 10:30-6, Fri & Sat: 10:30-8, Sun: 11-5
The best place for beach-themed and other fun gifts. They also have a nice collection of prints by local artists for sale.

Things from Heaven
365 E. Main Street
805-648-5689
Hours: Mon: 10-6, Wed-Sat: 10-6, Sun: 12-6, Closed Tuesday
Proclaimed as the world’s largest angel store, you’ll find an outstanding collection of handcrafted Angel figures and other spiritual treasures. Due to the remarkable recovery and journey of Ventura Artist, Bill Jerald, Things from heaven has been featured on CBS news; and many visit the store to place post-it-note prayers on the prayer wall at the back of the store.

Malinowski & Todd
1725 E. Main Street
805-643-2002
Store Hours: Wed-Sat: 10-6, Sun: 12-5, Closed Monday & Tuesday
Worth the short drive from the downtown district, Malinowski & Todd offer an interesting and quality collection of furniture, pottery, home décor and jewelry. It is also the art gallery of popular local artist, Elaine Thompson.

Wild Planet
560 E. Main Street
805-643-5238
Store Hours: Mon & Tues: 11-8, Wed-Sat: 11-9, Sun: 11-7

For the young at heart, but not for young kids. Fun and worth the stop, if you have a hankering to feed the rebellious nature in you whether the 60’s were good to you or not.

Buffalo Records
92 S. Laurel Street
805-648-3345
Store Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11-5, Fri & Sat: 11-7, Sun: 12-5
Re-discover your favorites or find new ones at downtown Ventura’s only record store! From Jazz to Old School, there is a wide selection of LP’s (remember those?), CD’s and DVD’s to choose from. On the corner of Santa Clara and Laurel, you can’t miss it!

Sea Things
500. E. Santa Clara Street
805-648-1954
Store Hours: Mon-Sat: 10-6, Sun: 11-5
While dolphins and mermaids take center stage at Sea Things, check out the large shell collection. This is worth the stop on your way to or from the beach!

FOOD & WINE

Trufflehound's Fine Chocolates
607 E. Main Street
805-648-5870
Store Hours: Tues-Thurs: 10-6, Fri & Sat: 10-8, Closed Sunday
When you walk in the door, the come-hither stares of handmade gourmet truffles, dark chocolate, carmel, almond clusters and peanut butter cups greet you looking good enough to make your mouth water (your taste buds won't complain either). My favorite? … all of them!

The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
805-653-9463
Hours: Mon/Tues: 4-9, Wed/Thurs: 2-9, Fri/Sat: 12-10, Sun: 2-8
You’ll find the best selection of wine-themed gifts for the wine lover in your life. Not to mention, it’s the perfect place to rest your tired tootsies after a day of Ventura shopping. Sit back, sip some wine (with over 100 different labels, you’re sure to find something you like) and munch on a cheese plate while you watch the world walk on by.

We Olive Ventura
294 E. Main Street
805-648-6166
Store Hours: Daily 10-6
Our gun-slinging saloon patron ancestors would probably flip over in their graves at the site of folks linin’ up at the bar for a sampling of California-certified olive oils, gourmet vinegars, salsas and pestos. Nonetheless, We Olive is a welcome new addition to the downtown Ventura shopping district. There is a lot more than olive oil in this store including pastas, pasta sauces and mustards (try the spicy apple mustard with ginger and cinnamon - our favorite). There are also skin products, candles and other assorted gift items available.

THRIFT STORES

Coalition Thrift Store
270 East Main Street
805-643-4411
Store Hours: Mon-Sat: 9-6, Closed Sunday
One of the thrift stores left over from the days when Ventura shopping was only known for the antique shops and thrift stores that lined the streets. Dedicated to ending family violence, this shop is well organized and clean (as far as thrift shops go). The clothes are color-organized which makes it easier to browse though (I’ve had the best luck here in finding never-worn items and scooping up other good deals). Coalition Thrift Store

Tip: For the complete Ventura shopping experience, exploring the side streets near Main Street is highly recommended.

Click Here for a more extensive list of downtown Ventura shopping.