Ep 4 - Topa Topa Brewing Company
SHOP CHOP
In a Southern California landscape overflowing with craft breweries, Ventura’s own has carved out an impressive name and reputation since first opening on Thompson Boulevard in 2015. In this conversation, I talk with Topa Topa co-founder Jack Dyer about the ideas and values that drew him to the brewery business, and how a relatively small project quickly grew into something he never imagined. From its earth-conscious ethos and deeply local vibes to the unquestionable craftsmanship of the beer itself, Topa Topa plays a key part in shaping Ventura’s rapidly evolving business community and...
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Ep 3 - Findings Market
SHOP CHOP
Since opening in 2018, has become a fixture of Ventura’s rising craft culture, with a “general store” stocked with a rotating selection of beautifully designed, independently created goods in the heart of downtown, and a series of extremely popular market and fair events throughout the year. In this episode, I talk with the shop’s founder and proprietor, Whitney Reed, about how she took Findings Market from a parking lot pop-up to a permanent store. From COVID shutdowns and real estate controversies to the neverending hustle of social media content, we explore the challenges and...
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Ep 2 - Pinyon Ojai
SHOP CHOP
This week I talk with Tony and Jeremy, co-owners of , a restaurant in Ojai serving some of the most incredible house-made pizza, bagels and bread in Ventura County – well worth a regular visit. In this conversation they explain how they’ve crafted a business model that reflects their values: delicious food made with local ingredients, family friendly atmosphere, and a healthy dose of social, economic and environmental justice. With their eyes toward opening a new location in downtown Ventura, Pinyon’s creators offer some ideas about what makes running a restaurant in the 805 such a...
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Ep 1 - Awkward Pastry Chef
SHOP CHOP
On the very first episode of SHOP CHOP, I talk with Jess the baker, aka the Awkward Pastry Chef. Jess is one of the hardest working creators and artists in Ventura, California, and her cakes, pies, and baked goods are truly next level. In this conversation, she talks about her path to becoming a baker, her indie business ethos, and the challenges of running a small business in the often daunting political economy of Southern California. Check out the and get some of those goodies! Listen to my other podcasts, (politics and culture) and (legal adventures at a local law firm) ...
info_outlineIn a Southern California landscape overflowing with craft breweries, Ventura’s own Topa Topa Brewing Company has carved out an impressive name and reputation since first opening on Thompson Boulevard in 2015. In this conversation, I talk with Topa Topa co-founder Jack Dyer about the ideas and values that drew him to the brewery business, and how a relatively small project quickly grew into something he never imagined. From its earth-conscious ethos and deeply local vibes to the unquestionable craftsmanship of the beer itself, Topa Topa plays a key part in shaping Ventura’s rapidly evolving business community and cultural scene.