While oil produced the initial business boom in Ventura County, agriculture has always provided the stability. In recent years growth has occurred in other sectors of the local economy – namely, finance, insurance, real estate, manufacturing and high tech/information services. The “Technology Corridor” along the 101 Freeway includes 26 miles of aerospace, electronics and defense system manufacturers, research and development and computer businesses, many of which have fled Los Angeles and its generally higher costs of doing business. This corridor embraces the cities of Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Agoura Hills. Employers have found what they need for success in Ventura: a pool of qualified workers, innovative business climate, abundant space, and easy access to transportation.
Most cities in the county have experienced retail sales growth as new shopping centers and rising incomes have given people more choices. Some sectors of the economy, most notable real estate, have lagged recently. The once-red hot real estate market has slowed, affecting real estate agents and brokers, as well as those services that are connected to it. Also feeling the pinch are escrow and title companies, lenders and
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home-inspection firms. Perhaps the largest hit came at the country’s largest mortgage lender, Countrywide Financial Corp of Calabasas, which has cut thousands of positions from its workforce and, as of press time on this publication, was set to be acquired by Bank of America, which, despite Countrywide’s financial problems, recognizes value in its name.
The three major corridors (Victoria, Telegraph and Telephone) are characterized by a variety of commercial and service uses. They serve as key thoroughfares, linking Ventura east to west and north to south. While generally built out, there are focus areas and nodes where opportunities exist for land use or design improvements that could provide benefits to the city as a whole. In particular, these corridors would be appropriate sites for the development of “gateways” announcing arrival into the city through architectural structures and details, landscaping, and public art. Future planning in this area include improved bicycle and pedestrian access; enhanced signage and landmarks for “way-finding,” and upgraded and more varied street landscaping. The desired vision for these corridors is one of “grand boulevards.” Specific improvements are to provide enticing gateways for residents and visitors into the city and balancing efficient circulation through the area with a design that encourages patronage of businesses along the corridors themselves. Commercial and Industrial Development Camarillo: A variety of business enterprises provides a strong economic base in the community, with many leading high-technology companies calling Camarillo home. A skilled work force, plenty of room for growth, and proximity to major transportation centers combine to make Camarillo a highly desirable location for light industry. Oxnard: With cheaper land and leasing rates, Oxnard became the premier center of industrial activity in 1996, when nine industrial buildings totaling more than 736,000-square feet were constructed, according to the Economic Forecast Project at the University of California at Santa Barbara. The biggest companies which moved to Oxnard were Haas Automation, which built a 415,000-square-foot building, Bungee International Manufacturing, which leased a 64,000 square-foot-building; Explorer LLC, Scosche and Industrial Tools Inc., Cosmetic Specialties and Tubed Products/McCormick Schilling. Oxnard continues to be a prime center of industrial growth in the county. Calabasas: The Calabasas general plan provides for an anticipated 3.7 million square feet of commercial and industrial development to be built over the next 20 years. This will double the amount of square footage of space being used for industrial activities within the city limits. With more than 1,214 acres designated industrial use, Camarillo has six industrial areas under development, while approximately 140 major industries operate in the city. Conejo Valley: World-renowned Amgen Corp., an international leader in biomedical/genetics, was founded in Thousand Oaks in 1979 and forms the base for a growing number of high-tech and biotech companies in the Conejo Valley. Dole Food Co., the world’s largest grower of fresh packaged fruits and juices, has located its corporate headquarters in Westlake Village. Other fast-growing companies in the area include Teradyne, a manufacturer of semi-conductor test equipment and software, and State Farm Insurance, Blue Cross of California, Jafra Cosmetics and GTE. Moorpark: A rise in property tax revenue in recent years is a direct result of increased activity in industrial developments throughout the city of Moorpark. The city has the following major industrial centers: The Freeway Business Center in Moorpark is a 57-acre industrial park that is the home of Mail Marketing and several large companies. Moorpark Industrial Square, located at Gabbert Road and Los Angeles Avenue contains 106 acres of prime industrial land suited for tenants who require between 50,000 square feet and 70,000 square feet of buildings. Cypress Land Company Park is a 33-acre high-end industrial park for large tenants. Business Parks Flinn Road Business Center in Moorpark is a 33-acre site for small businesses. Moorpark Business Center is a 51.44-acre business park located at Los Angeles Avenue and Condor Drive with major tenants Kavlico and Teledyne Laars. Westlake Spectrum Business Park in Westlake Village includes the City Hall and library, light manufacturing and diverse businesses in a campus-like location. Westlake Village Marketplace has four anchor stores: Albertson’s, PETsMART, Staples and Michael’s Hobbies. Simi Valley: The Canyons is a 615-acre business and industrial center which will provide for more than 7,000 new jobs over an estimated 17-year build-out. It is a part of a 2,300-acre community in the city of Simi. Retail Development
The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks will undergo a mult-million-dollar expansion and renovation in 2007. A Nordstrom department store will be added, as will a 14-screen movie theater and an open-air retail section. It’s scheduled to be completed in late 2008. A similar expansion is planned at Pacific View mall in Ventura. The four Robinson’s-May department stores closed in 2006, a result of the chain’s acquisition by Federated Department Stores. Locations at The Oaks mall and Simi Valley Town Center were converted into Macy’s stores. If you desire an older item, try some of the antique shops located throughout the county. A variety of neighborhood shopping districts are also located throughout the region. If you are one who likes many options, you cannot go wrong in one of the many shopping and outlet malls in the area. If you are searching for that special antique, try Santa Paula, the “Antique Plane Capital of the World.” Several shops are located in the city of Fillmore as well. Ojai is known around the world as “The Artists Colony.” From fine furnishings to jewelry, you will find them in Ventura County. Perhaps, you may be looking for that perfect vehicle. Check out the various dealerships conveniently located in the communities and surrounding areas. The following list of malls is only a small portion of shopping centers in the area. Please check your telephone directory for additional listings. Shopping Centers and Malls Calabasas Canyon Center: With a variety of service, this center is a retail and office complex located on Las Virgenes Road just south of the 101 Freeway. Calabasas Old Town: Old Town, the original 19th century hub, offers shopping, strolling and dining in a Western setting. Every Saturday there is Farmer’s Market at Calabasas Junction. It is located at Calabasas Road west of Valley Circle Boulevard. The Commons at Calabasas: The Commons is a European-village resort for shopping, dining and entertainment located at Calabasas Road and Park Granada. Malibu Canyon Plaza: This Calabasas plaza is a complex with business related and fast food stores located at Agoura and Las Virgenes roads. Parkway Calabasas Center is undergoing a major renovation since a new owner took over. It is a large complex with many service-oriented businesses as well as many restaurants and retail stores. It is located across from the Commons at Park Granada and Calabasas Road. Camarillo Old Town: The commercial corridor along Ventura Boulevard known as Old Town. Camarillo Premium Outlets, Las Posas Road exit from Freeway 101, Camarillo. The 365,000-square-foot center includes Off 5th-Saks Fifth Avenue, Barney’s of New York, Esprit, Donna Karan, Liz Claiborne, West Point Stevens, Ann Taylor, Calvin Klein, Carole Little, Donna Karan, Gap, Geoffrey Beene, Guess, Jones New York, Liz Claiborne, Nike, Reebok, Big Dog, Mikasa, Royal Doulton, Lenox, and Versace stores. The mall is undergoing a third building phase, including two multi-screen theaters. Camarillo Town Center, Las Posas Road exit from Freeway 101, Camarillo. The 357,000 square-foot mall features Target, Oshman’s Sporting Goods, Linens N’ Things, Ross Dress for Less, Petco and several major restaurant chains. Esplanade Mall, 195 Esplanade Drive, Oxnard. The Esplanade Shopping Center is slowly being taking apart by construction crews to make room for a new strip-type mall with the Home Depot as an anchor store. Early this year, M&H bought the property, stopped renewing tenants’ leases and decided to raze the indoor mall and build a strip-type shopping center in its place. The Home Depot plans to move its Oxnard store to The Esplanade after the new mall is built. It is not known when construction will begin on the project. Fallbrook Mall, Fallbrook Avenue and Vanowen Avenue, Canoga Park: The center is anchored by Burlington Coat Factory, JC Penney’s, and Mervyn’s, as well as specialty shops. Gateway Plaza, Spring Road and Los Angeles Avenue, Moorpark: This shopping center is recognized by its fountain. This center contains retail shops, medical offices, and restaurants. Janss Marketplace, Hillcrest and Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks: Mervyn’s, Mann Theatre, Toys ‘R’ Us, Marshall’s, Linens & Things, and Thrifty Drug Store boast their products and services of clothing, household items, pharmacy, toys, and entertainment to local residents and visitors. Mission Bell Plaza, Moorpark: This shopping plaza is the home to large box retail centers, a major movie theater, supermarket and restaurants. Moorpark Plaza, southeast corner of Spring Road and New Los Angeles Avenue, Moorpark: This plaza contains retail shops, restaurants and small businesses. Moorpark Town Center, Los Angeles Avenue and Moorpark Avenue, Moorpark: This mall is home to the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce, many retail stores, medical offices, and Ralph’s Market. Plaza del Norte Marketplace, Oxnard: Shopping at the Rose, Hwy. 101, Oxnard. Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, CompUSA and Vons demonstrate the various merchandise available to visitors. The Oaks Mall, 222 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks: The enclosed mall has 150 stores including anchor stores of Robinson-May, J.C. Penney’s, and Macy’s. Pacific View Mall, 363 South Mills, Ventura: It is anchored by Macy’s and J.C. Penney’s. Oxnard Factory Outlet, Rice Avenue exist from Freeway 101, Oxnard: The mall has 35 stores including Gap, Bugle Boy, Nine West, Geoffrey Beene, Corning Ware, American Tourister, etc. Promenade and Northgate Plaza is a new European-style mall in Thousand Oaks. It features European-style village commons with Mediterranean architecture accented with sculpture and waterfalls. The Promenade at Westlake Village, 140 Promenade Way, Westlake Village: Bristol Farms, Cost Plus, Barnes & Noble and Mann Theatres offer a variety of services to shoppers. Topanga Plaza, Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Vanowen Avenue, Canoga Park: More than 150 stores share space with department stores Robinson-May, Norstrom, and Sears. Ventura Harbor Village, Spinnaker Drive, Ventura: Specialty shops, restaurants, tours, boating excursions and special events are available. Office Development Auto Malls The Thousand Oaks Auto Mall provides side-by-side car shopping from 14 separate dealers: Buick, Nissan, Honda, Hummer, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Subaru, Saab, Mitsubishi, Mercedes, Oldsmobile, Cadillac, Lotus. Ventura Auto Center, off Hwy. 101, Ventura. Various dealerships. Village Retail & Auto Center, West Los Angeles Avenue at Park Lane, Moorpark. Agriculture Airports The 216-acre Oxnard Airport is currently operated as a commuter service airport. Facilities include: an east-west runway, 56,100 square feet of hangar space with the capacity to store 100 aircraft, a tie-down area for 140 aircraft and a 10,000 square foot passenger terminal.
More recently, feature films “Air America” and “The Wild, Wild West” were produced in the county. Fillmore has been featured in many films including “How to Make An American Quilt,” “The Fugitive” and City Slickers II.” The Camarillo Ranch home of Don Adolfo Camarillo has been the subject of many movies. Today various communities in Ventura County are frequently used for filming including feature films, television programs, advertisements, and videos. Several cities maintain film offices to assist with production projects concerning locations, policies and fees. Tourism Cargo Naval Base Ventura County, a consolidation of the Navy’s two bases – the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Port Hueneme and Point Mugu Naval Air Station – generates several hundred million dollars in economic impact for the area and employs upwards of some 10,000 military and civilian workers. Information Age Housing Tracts / Master Planned Communities And, in Simi Valley, the master-planned Canyons Project encompasses approximately 2,430 acres generally located in the north-west portion of the city of Simi Valley. The property is bordered by the 118 Freeway on the south and Erringer Road on the east, and city boundaries on the north. Unocal Corp., which has owned the property since 1949, plans a community that includes a balanced use of residential, commercial, business park, and light industrial components. Four residential villages are proposed on approximately 590 acres. |
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Ventura County continues to be interested in future business expansion. The Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County is a cooperative agency that combines public and private sectors to help small companies while enhancing the spirit of cooperation among the county’s various industries. Individually, nonprofit groups such as the Greater Oxnard Economic Development Corporation support local businesses in their growth plans and bring even more companies to the community.
