As published in Ojai Quarterly magazine, Winter 2013
Shop Local for Gourmet
Gifts
Let’s face it, some people are
impossible to shop for. I’m not very creative when it comes to gift giving, but
one thing I know for sure is that tasty gifts are always welcome. What better
way to celebrate Ojai’s bounty than to share it with friends and relatives. And
you’ll be shopping local, too, which is great way to give back to our
community. Here are a few delicious ideas:
Rains
218 E. Ojai Avenue
646-1441
Established in 1914, Rains is
Ojai’s answer to the department store, with clothes, shoes, jewelry, housewares
and hardware. The gourmet kitchen section has fully-stocked shelves of their
own private-label sauces, dressings, salsas and mixes. Their featured local
product offering includes the full line of Ojai Olive Oil’s locally-grown and
processed extra virgin olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars bottled in
gorgeous cobalt blue glass. An added bonus: Rains offers complimentary gift wrapping
while you wait.
Rainbow Bridge
211 East Matilija Street
646-4017
Tucked behind the downtown arcade,
Rainbow Bridge is a natural foods grocery market with an extensive selection of
produce, meats, dry goods and an apothecary. A wide range of local edible gifts
include Ojai’s own Zhena’s Gypsy Teas package in colorful tin canisters, Ojai
Cook’s Lemonaise lemon mayonnaise, Bee the Bee Apiaries’ raw wildflower honey
and Ojai Chocolat’s raw, organic dairy-free and sugar-free confections.
Made in Ojai
323 E. Matilija Street
646-2400
A few doors down from Rainbow
Bridge, this artisan mercantile, as the name indicates, sells only locally-made
products, include original works of art, books, jewelry and edibles. Their food
section includes Lori’s Original Lemonades in ginger and lavender flavors, Ojai
Jalapeno and Habanero Jelly and Highway 33 Foods’ hot sauces. Cards designed by
local artists will add a personalized touch to your gift.
Ojai Beverage Company
655 E. Ojai Avenue
646-1700
With
over a thousand bottles from all over the world, the OBC has an impressive
selection of local wines, including Casa Barranca, Ojai Vineyard, Old Creek
Ranch, Vino V, Ojai Ridge, Noble Oaks and Boccali’s. Sip while you shop; they
have 20 beers on tap, wines by the glass, spirits tastings and a full menu.
Ojai Coffee Roasting Co.
337 E. Ojai Avenue
646-4478
This
coffee shop and café is a true local hang-out best known for their freshly-roasted
coffee. Though the beans are not locally-grown, the café’s own roastmaster custom
roasts the world’s best beans in small batches and packages them either whole
or ground in half and one-pound bags. Gift cards and shipping are also available.
Whether you’re shopping for
holiday or hostess gifts, Ojai’s got you covered with some of the tastiest
treats that deserve to be boxed and bowed. To be honest, though, many of these
items are staples in my pantry at home. I’m guessing they will soon be in
yours, too.
