Leaning Into Our History

1782–1860s Mission Era

The city's roots trace back to the founding of the Mission. By the 1860s, a small town had grown up around it. Main Street primarily consisted of the dirt area west of the church, boasting a boardwalk, four stores, and several rum shops.

1880s Real Estate Boom

The Southern Pacific Railroad arrived in 1887, sparking a speculative boom that transformed Main Street from a sleepy settlement into a bustling commercial hub.

1920s-1950s Premiere Retail Thoroughfare

Our little Main Street became the city’s premier shopping destination with anchors such as JC Penney, Woolworth’s, and Montgomery Ward, as well as the iconic Ventura Theater in 1928.

1960s-1970s Shopping Mall Competition

Once the ultimate shopping destination, bustling with classic department stores, that changed in 1965 when Buenaventura Plaza (now the Pacific View Mall) opened in mid town. Its historic charm stayed waiting in the wings while the tradition of cruising culture, a la American Graffiti and Dazed and Confused, became a staple on Main Street.

1980s-1990s Antique & Thrift Era

The street adapted by reinventing itself as a treasure hunter's paradise, becoming famous for its vibrant, eclectic collection of antique malls and vintage thrift shops while classic spots like Blue Moon, Bonnie’s, Top Hat, Nicholby’s, Wild Planet, and Cafe Voltaire were favorites of this era.

2000s-2019 Arts & Culinary Pivot

A fresh wave of ideas brought preservation, restoration, and revival to historic storefronts. Iconic buildings transformed into lively bars, craft breweries and eateries, while independent retail, surf shops and boutiques bloomed, blending Ventura's coastal small town culture with a new buzzing energy.

2020-2026 Main Street Moves

An anecdote to the pandemic Main Street Moves served an important purpose of keeping downtown alive despite Covid restrictions. With an initial boom during 2021-2022, the novelty has been wearing off with the general public. Never intended to be a permanent closure, in 2025 our City Council voted to make it permanent—yet it’s become increasingly clear that the closure is not working to generate commerce with over 90 downtown small businesses signing a petition open the street.

2026-Onward: Historic Old Town Destination

Main Street is at a crossroads—continue Main Street Moves despite its $55 million price tag, no funding, and lack of foot traffic to turn our Main Street into essentially a mall, OR restore what has historically worked for small business commerce by opening street. The way we see it? Leaning into our history, while continuing the revival and buzz of the 2010s, and keeping our eclectic charm is what will make our Main “Street” stand out as a destination again.