As the pandemic rages on and continues to impact individuals and businesses, we here at KFI want to help in whatever way we can.
So, to help remind everyone to shop small and support local, small businesses we decided to do something Wake Up Call has never done before....
Take calls from you!
We asked y'all to call in and promote your favorite small businesses and you DELIVERED!
Jennifer was joined by Dean Sharp to talk to you and share some of their favorite small businesses too.
Dean shared some of his faves:
507 Coffee - In Oakbrook Plaza on Arboles in Thousand Oaks
507 is a young dope college coffeehouse. Local music, local art, they believe in fostering the five steps of the creative journey—Inspiration, Build-up, Resistance, Overcoming, Collaboration—and doing it seven days a week … hence 507. Also, the coffee is outstanding. http://thefive07.com
Old Town Roasting - Tustin
Speaking of outstanding coffee, Old Town Roastingbrings it to you wherever you are. OTR is an online subscription gourmet coffee roaster based in Tustin. The absolute best ethical coffee hand roasted to perfection right before shipping to anywhere in the lower 48 so it arrives at your door at its flavor peak. 20% of profits go to support local homelessness charities and ethical coffee farms. http://OldTownRoasting.com
Chocolatine French Cafe - 2955 E Thousand Oaks Blvd
Sandrine and Ludovic Gaudin left their life in France to create an authentic French sidewalk cafe in Thousand Oaks. Ludovic runs the kitchen. Sandrine manages the café. For me it’s all about quiche, Cafe’ Viennois and hearing Sandrine greet me with, “Bonjour Dean. Como ça va?”
Bad Ass Tacos - 2951 East Thousand Oaks Blvd
The best authentic street tacos in Ventura County. Started as a wildly popular underground popup and now in their own spot right next door to Chocolatine!
http://badassstreettacos.com
East Coast Bagel Company - 1014 S. Westlake Blvd. #2
Fresh baked authentic New York style bagels. In over 25 years East Coast Bagels has hired over 450 local high school students who eventually move onto college. Their school pendants line the shop. Best Nova lox anywhere. http://eastcoastbagelco.com
Decor Paint & Wallcovering — 2820 Thousand Oaks Boulevard
If I want to paint something and get it right the first time with the best paint, the best tools, and expert advice I go talk to my buddy John Nelson at Decor. http://decorpaintstore.com
Agoura Antique Mart - 28879 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills
My favorite local antique mart, period. 8000 sf of vintage, industrial, architectural elements, lighting, textiles, and one-of-a-kind accessories for home and garden. http://agouraantiquemart.com
Michael’s Bicycles - 2257 Michael Dr. Newbury Park
My area’s exclusive distributor of both Trek™ and Specialized™ as well as many more. Their repair shop is unmatched. Free Lifetime Tune Ups when you buy from Michael. Michael Thomas is a fixture in our town. As a mountain biker, naturalist and amateur astronomer he knows every trail, every plant and animal on that trail and every star in the sky above it. http://www.michaelsbicycles.com
....and a lot of you reached out to Jen on social media with other suggestions!
Here's just a few of the suggestions you sent in:
- Rutabegorz Restaurant located in Orange as well as Tustin.
- Rosa Marias, Taco Shack and Saverino's Deli in Redlands
- Blue Sky Window Cleaning is a family run small biz serving the inland empire and surrounding cities since 2010.
- John's Barber lounge in Lake Forest and Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange County.
- Luna Modern Mexican Kitchen at Victoria Gardens.
- Colombo's Italian Steakhouse in Eagle Rock
- Alosta Brewery in Covina
- Ai Japanese in south Pasadena
- The Shack in Playa Del Rey
- Sweets From Heaven at zOutlets of Orange
And I'd be remiss if we also didn't share someone who was a big inspiration for this little endeavor.....Mo Kelly!
Mo and his producer Tawala Sharp have done an annual Small Business Saturday show for years now and they are huge advocates for small businesses year round.
If you want to check out the lists of businesses they complied and hear to the show they put together (which was AWESOME!) click HERE.