I am so happy to repost this review with a 5 star review. Years ago I tried to patron the Calico…read morewith my children and the cashier was anti-child. I recently visited Ventura and stepped into the Calico and started chatting with the owner. I told them about my experience and they knew who I was talking about and said that she had been let go years ago and they work most of the time now. so Yay!! Their collection is large, obscur, and some fun rare finds. It's a great space, kids are welcomed again, and he even has a cool kids collection.

I love all bookstores, no matter what, all of them…read more This one was slightly harder to love. First the positive: it has a great name. But alas, no cats. Second, I did find about four or five books here (used) that I have not been able to find elsewhere, so that is a big positive. The organization of the books here leaves something to be desired. Some of the books are in alphabetical order. But many are not. That is a bit maddening. There is also no obvious organization of the books by subject matter. But it is a small shop so it is not that difficult to snoop around. If you are looking for the latest pop novels, this probably won't be your happy place. But if you are looking for classics or hard to find books, this just could be your happy place. If you are willing to overlook the somewhat chaotic organization of the books, you could spend some time here and find some real nuggets. The prices seemed fair to me.

Timbre Books is a thoughtfully curated independent bookstore in the heart of Midtown Ventura. It's…read morecalm, inviting, and easy to browse at your own pace. The book selection feels intentional, with a good mix of familiar titles, indie presses, and unexpected finds. I've picked up several great reads here for my Caracol Book Club and always feel good about what I bring home. Pricing feels reasonable and consistent for a shop this well curated. The staff pick recommendation cards are genuinely helpful, and the loyalty rewards program is a nice bonus. I also love the seating in the back. It's the kind of spot where you can actually slow down. Journal, read, and sip a coffee from the neighboring coffee shop, Singing Sun, without feeling rushed. In addition to books, there's a solid selection of stationery, greeting cards, and small gifts, plus gift cards that are easy and practical. They also host author events and community gatherings that feel thoughtful and well done. Whether I'm browsing for myself or picking up a gift, Timbre is consistently a good experience. Ventura is lucky to have an independent shop like this.

~ A BOOKLOVER'S HAVEN ~…read more Timbre Books is everything I've ever wanted in a bookstore. When you walk in, you're greeted by a bright, airy, modern, and warm space. There are a couple of two person tables near the front, next to big, dreamy windows, perfect for working or reading. To the right, there's a wonderful selection of children's books and cozy reading nooks. It was heartwarming to see kids sprawled out, reading and lost in their own worlds. There's also a table towards the back with charming cards for purchase. Their book selection is impressively diverse and thoughtfully curated, with many titles featuring staff recommendations and reviews. I especially enjoy horror/psychological thrillers and nonfiction memoirs, and there's plenty of those, as well as the newest, hottest books from social media (booktok). They have a rewards program and a monthly newsletter that's thoughtfully crafted giving us the scoop on new arrivals, events, and book recommendations. Their book club meets monthly and has a laid-back, low maintenance vibe making it perfect for busy people who just want to casually discuss a book. I happened to visit during one of these meetings, and it was so wholesome to see people sharing baked goods, laughter being heard, and enjoying each other's company. The atmosphere here feels like a true community, and it gives you those warm, fuzzy feelings. When I mentioned it was my first visit, Mirna quickly made me feel welcomed by sharing details about the store, answering my questions, and suggesting some of her favorite books based on my interests. It's great that the staff have diverse tastes and can offer varied recommendations! Overall, Timbre Books is a unique gem in Ventura, and I'm excited to come back and join the next book club! *HOT TIP: There's plenty of parking available in the lot behind the store and on the street. *HOTTER TIP: Before heading in to browse/read, don't forget to grab a coffee from the charming coffee shop two doors down!

They have a great selection of gamer, anime and collectible items. The prices are average. The…read morestore is cute and fully stocked. We find unique items others don't carry.

This store has anime, Pokémon, and other stuffed plushie and collectible items. This store is…read morealways busy cause the items in here are organized and very cool. Any time I have a friend visiting, I like to take them here cause it's a very fun store to look in. The items are a little pricey, but they have collectibles that I haven't seen in other stores, so you probably are paying a premium to buy it immediately.

I love visiting Arsenal Comics in Ventura. It's truly one of the best spots in Ventura for comics…read more They have a very big selection of new comics and some back issues. This location isn't as busy as Newberry Park so if they run out of say ARK-M, then try this Ventura Location. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable and always happy to help. If your new to the comic world or advanced, you can learn a thing or two from the staff. They're living the life!!!! I highly recommend Arsenal Comics in Ventura if you're in the area.

Humble, unpretentious shops that feel connected to the broader Magic community matter…read more Magic shops are a lot like bars--there's more than one, each with its own charm. People go to play different formats, and the owner sets the tone and is the barometer for the "weather" in general. Friendly, welcoming shops tend to build stronger smoother sailing communities. I didn't get that here. When I asked about local EDH events, I was told there's one Commander night. That's cool but I only play edh so I'm curious for other areas. When I asked about the broader EDH community, the owner was dismissive and overly corrective. It felt closed-off rather than supportive, especially when he made it clear he doesn't promote anything beyond his own store. That approach doesn't work for me. I prefer spaces with a more open-minded, generous vibe, not a "there can be only one" mentality. As an old-school player, I value basic respect and being part of a positive, inclusive nerd community. I'll look elsewhere.

This little bookstore makes a big impression! The environment is so welcoming and inclusive and has…read moreservice that exceeded my expectations. The team is so approachable and welcoming, so looking for niche romance novels is never intimidating. I'm a sucker for a good and cheesy romance novel and this spot meets my needs and more. In addition they carry beautiful local made trinkets and have the best selection of book related stickers!! Everything is reasonably priced and you have the added benefit of supporting a lovely Ventura business. Smitten holds release parties and while I didn't get to attend the one I purchased they held my book for me and even kept a pin for me that they gave out at the party! I hear rhag it was a black light event with games and snackies, what a treat! I hope you can visit sometime soon! Okay thanks bye!

This bookstore is on Main Street and has a definite fun, chic, creative vibe. They sell expressive,…read moreinspired books, along with stickers, bookmarks, and tarot cards. I also saw tarot cards for dogs being sold, which made me smile. For a small to medium space, they make the most of fun and original books and other inspired art. In the back, there's a small meeting space. On the website, they have a lot of events - everything from book club meetings, tarot card readings, a journaling club, a writing club, book swaps, and more. I attended one of the book clubs, where everyone expressively and passionately explained the moments they liked and didn't like from the book. I would never have read such an entertaining and creative book if not for Smitten's book club. The book discussion made me like the book even more through everyone's inspiring analysis. Take a look at this fun, community-inspired bookstore!

Stopped by the Mystery Shop today and was pleasantly surprised to see a big selection of products…read morefrom comics and graphic novels to trading cards and various toys. The last time I came a few months back, there seemed to be ongoing reorganization so I wasn't able to see everything they had to offer. While I could see it being a nice place to play for some especially with it boasting many weekly events for a variety of card games (Lorcana, Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic, Pokemon), I felt the sealed and single selections were both pricey and less plentiful compared to what I have seen at other shops. Some services such as the charging station are great to offer especially when games of commander can take up a an hour or more!

Such a great comic shop! I brought my nephew and he absolutely loved it. There's a great selection…read moreof comics and fun collectibles, and the staff was really friendly and welcoming. You can tell they care about the community. We'll definitely be back!

$50 for a 3 pack ascended heroes blister, and $125 for mega dream booster box (I can find…read morerelatively easy for $89.99) Shame on greedy LCS like this.

Mero is one of my favorite stops for Pokemon in Ventura County! They have huge walls of nicer…read moresingles and slabs as well as sealed products. I can always appreciate the range from near mint to heavily played singles with fair pricing based on condition as sometimes you just want a card for your personal collection, not to ship to PSA. The brothers that run the shop have always been kind and I've had great offers for cards that I have brought to trade in. In addition to Pokemon, they have sealed Magic, Lorcana, and One Piece products for fair prices too. They have a wider variety of Pokemon singles displayed in binders, but upon my recent visit, I've noticed that they have expanded to One Piece and Disney singles as well. Aside from tcg, they also have older video games and consoles. I always enjoy my visit to Mero when I am in the area and love that hit of nostalgia when I stop by!

No bargains here. It's a small space with mostly unbranded goods. I was going to buy a package of…read more50 gray napkins. He said the price was $10, but he would take 5.

I love, love this store! I go every week and find great stuff at amazing prices. You really have…read moreto look well and focus on finding brand item merchandise, to get your money's worth.