Thousand Oaks, CA
Home MenuBusiness Recognition Program
Now accepting nominations here!
The City of Thousand Oaks Business Recognition Program (BRP or “Program”) is a new program from the City’s Economic Development Division. This program is designed to highlight one exceptional Thousand Oaks business each quarter of the year for special achievements or other unique contributions made to the City relating to economic prosperity, sustainability or resilience, or other activities fostering continuous community enrichment in Thousand Oaks.
|
|
Oak & Iron
2967 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd
Oak & Iron can be described as a unique treasure hidden in plain sight on Thousand Oaks Blvd. When you step into Oak & Iron, the ambience embraces you like a long-time friend. It induces the deep exhale you have been needing all week. Every square foot has been designed with thoughtful intention. It captivates your senses and relaxes you all at once. The bartenders meticulously measure and mix fresh, high-quality ingredients like mages of craft cocktails in front of a glamorous display of spirits softly glowing like a shrine to living in the present.
Looking around, you can see memories being created right before your eyes. Among the crowd, old friends catching up after way too long, a group celebrating a milestone birthday, and two people awkwardly navigating their first date. It’s a vision come to life for co-owners, brothers Jason and Jared Logan, and Drew Pletcher. The Logan brothers were born and raised in Thousand Oaks. They longed for a unique gathering place in their hometown that felt both intimate and welcoming to all, and that valued high quality ingredients and explored adventurous recipes. They ultimately decided to take matters into their own hands and do it themselves.
The Logan brothers and Pletcher set their sights on Thousand Oaks Blvd to locate. The City’s Thousand Oaks Blvd Specific Plan (Specific Plan 20) was adopted in 2011 to provide visionaries like the Logan brothers and Pletcher with greater flexibility to bring creative and innovative businesses to the Blvd to enhance its overall economic vibrancy. The flexibility of the Thousand Oaks Blvd Specific Plan provided was exactly what was needed to bring Oak & Iron to life in Thousand Oaks. Oak & Iron opened its doors in 2018.
Five years later, it has built a reputation as a go-to place in Thousand Oaks for delicious drinks and memorable experiences. Among the local small business community, Oak & Iron is viewed as a valued partner and ally. They take great pride in sourcing their produce and spirits from local regional vendors, including Apricot Lane Farms in Moorpark, and Ventura Spirits. They have collaborated with Newberry Candy here in Thousand Oaks for candy and bourbon tasting; and paired up with 805 Quesa Birra Tacos out of Simi Valley to bring some Ventura County unity simultaneously to your plate and your glass.
In addition to sublime ambiance, high quality products and local partnerships, Oak & Iron’s success can also be attributed to its agile and innovative approach to its business plan and operations. During the pandemic, they quickly pivoted to offer cocktails-to-go to keep revenue coming in while adhering to public safety measures. They also leveraged the City’s pandemic business assistance grant funding opportunity to soften the financial hit.
After the pandemic subsided, Oak & Iron began offering bartending lessons to business and social groups. “People have really missed being together, and hybrid work schedules are more common now. This unique opportunity gives groups a chance to laugh and bond again. They also learn something and get to enjoy delicious drinks,” Pletcher stated.
In addition, Oak & Iron adopted a gift card program to enable customers to gift the Oak & Iron experience to their loved ones and continued hosting corporate and private events in their downstairs speakeasy for some of our area’s larger employers. Currently, they are developing an online store where enthusiasts can purchase ingredients and make Oak & Iron recipes at home, and recently added a mobile cocktail trailer to their roster: “It’s a mobile bar. Now we have the capacity to bring Oak & Iron to you. Customers can hire us for weddings, other celebrations, and corporate events,” Pletcher says.
The City of Thousand Oaks would like to congratulate Oak & Iron as our latest Business Recognition Award Recipient. We thank you for your contribution to enhancing the vibrancy of Thousand Oaks Blvd., and for your ongoing commitment to cultivating a thriving local business ecosystem through your partnerships with other local small businesses.
Wildflower Cases
812 Mitchell Road
You may be familiar with the Wildflower Cases “WF” logo on the backside of the cellphones of the countless people holding them up to capture moments in their lives they don’t want to forget. If you didn’t notice it before, now the WF logo will likely seem ubiquitous to you.
What you may not know is Wildflower Cases was established right here in Thousand Oaks in 2012. It began as a hobby for Michelle Carlson; a creative expression of herself, her love for her daughters, and a way to bond with them over a shared interest in fashion. Inspired by precious moments with her family, the art spilled out of Michelle and onto an unlikely canvas; blank cellular phone cases, which she gifted to her daughters, Devon and Sydney.
The young girls pridefully shared the designs with their peers. Interest and excitement swelled. A chance local encounter with celebrity, Miley Cyrus, soon launched the Wildflower Cases brand name into the pop culture stratosphere after Cyrus kindly posted about her fondness for Wildflower’s dazzling designs on social media.
Over the past ten years, Wildflower Cases has grown into a global brand carried by retail giants including Urban Outfitters, Revolve, Free People, and Nordstrom; as well as by hundreds of boutique establishments worldwide. Wildflower has also collaborated with some of the biggest names in the fashion world; and expanded their product portfolio to include a broad range of other unique tech accessories. Moreover, they remain a family-owned business and now employ more than 50 residents here in Thousand Oaks.
The City of Thousand Oaks would like to congratulate Wildflower Cases on their substantial business growth over their ten-year history. We wish them many more years of success here in their hometown of Thousand Oaks.
The next time you see that WF logo, don’t be afraid to say, “hey, that’s a Wildflower design. They are from Thousand Oaks!”
---
Tarantula Hill Brewing Company
244 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd
In recent years, Thousand Oaks Boulevard has again become a hot spot for investment and renewal. New mixed-use developments, remodeled shopping centers and plazas, and a rich assortment of quality restaurants and other business establishments pepper this important corridor of economic activity in the City. This is not by chance but a result of intentional efforts and collaboration between the City and our business community to ultimately enhance our ability to meet a shared goal of greater economic vibrancy and prosperity citywide.
Tarantula Hill Brewing Co. (named after the tallest point in the City) was one of the businesses on the forefront of bringing a new vision to life on Thousand Oaks Boulevard. When its owners – local graduates of Thousand Oaks High School—brought their concept to transform an old furniture store into a bustling brewery and pizzeria, some doubted its feasibility and viability. The owners remained resolute, working diligently with City staff and opening their doors in 2019.
Tarantula Hill Brewing Co. hard work paid off, quickly becoming a local favorite as well as a destination for visitors. Delicious beers, woodfire pizza options, and a bonus ice cream counter are a win for the wanting palate. Tarantula Hill’s open layout and large front patio spotlights activity at the restaurant, captivating the attention of the passerby and beckoning them to stop in and cheers their newest friends. The ambience offers a versatile sense of place great for all customers. Whether you are out for happy hour, reminiscing with old friends, looking to meet new people, impressing a first date, having a meal with family, celebrating a milestone or accomplishment, or simply just enjoy people watching, Tarantula Hill provides an environment for good memory-making.
Tarantula Hill’s business achievements have been exceptional, but it only captures part of their story and their success.
The ownership’s commitment to community involvement and enrichment is a cornerstone of their business identity. In November 2018, a terrible act of violence took place in the City resulting in 12 lives lost, including Sergeant Ron Helus. The event devastated our City. When Tarantula Hill Brewing Co. opened a few months after the tragedy it became a gathering place for the community to mourn and heal. Tarantula Hill also worked directly with the Helus family to create a unique beer to honor Sergeant Helus and raise money for charity.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges for businesses. Tarantula Hill quickly engaged with local officials and adapted their operations to meet emergency measures taken to reduce the spread of the illness, keep its workers employed, and continue to serve residents their favorite menu items. Their early adoption of all tools available to businesses helped carry them through an incredibly difficult period for businesses, and ultimately helped them become a stronger and more resilient business.
In short, Tarantula Hill’s visionary placemaking, commitment to community enrichment, and agility to adjust to technological and economic shifts has set an example for Thousand Oaks businesses. Please join us in congratulating Tarantula Hill Brewing Co. As our 4th Quarter 2022 Thousand Oaks Business Recognition Program award winner. If you have a chance, stop by Tarantula Hill and thank them for being a part of our Thousand Oaks community.
---
The Latino Market
711 Thousand Oaks Blvd
In October 1991, Angel Sr. And Gina Ahumada opened the doors at 711 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. under the name “Latino Meat Market”. Their five children by their side, Angel Sr. and Gina, were proud to begin to fulfill their dream of sharing their favorite Latin American foods with their Thousand Oaks neighbors and the broader Conejo Valley.
Angel Sr. and Gina took great care in partnering with suppliers and vendors to hand pick only the very best meats and produce. It didn’t take long before the store earned a strong regular customer base. Inspired and encouraged by customer support, the Ahumadas expanded operations to include a restaurant in 1993. This enabled them to not only provide the best ingredients for customers to make traditional dishes, now they could offer their beloved customers a place to gather, relax, and enjoy traditional dishes and unique family recipes made for them.
Today, Angel Sr. and Gina’s dream lives on as “The Latino Market and Grill” with two of their children Michelle and Angel Jr. at the helm, assisted by 15-20 employees. What started in a single commercial space now spans across four units in 7 Oaks Plaza. Inside customers are greeted by colorful décor, welcomed with warm smiles, and kissed by the seductive aroma of Latin American cuisine.
Walking through the doors of the Latino Market and Grill is a transportive experience. “For those needing a brief touchpoint with their Latin heritage, we provide a place of comfort and familiarity. For others who simply love Latin culture, foods and flavors, we provide a unique cultural experience right here in their own backyard. We welcome all,” Michelle says.
When asked what she recommends most often to new customers, Michelle responds, “my favorite might be our Marinated Carne Asada with all the fixings. Our citrus marinades in general are just delicious!” Leaning in as if to share a secret, Michelle adds, “and with Christmas right around the corner, it’s not too early to start thinking about our Christmas Tamales.”
Please join us in congratulating The Latino Market and Grill, our very first Thousand Oaks Business Recognition Program award winner. Consider stopping by in person and stepping into the Ahumada family’s living dream. Your tastebuds will thank you.