Category: Support Local

Tom’s Toys has been bringing children joy through their expansive toy collection for decades. Their iconic neon sign, castle turret and free gift wrapping are just a few of the things that set this special local toy shop apart. We sat down with Vice President Jillian Wahlquist to learn more about the company’s long history, ...

Amber Karson has had a knack for planning events ever since she was a kid, throwing Christmas parades with her twin sister, Emily Butler in their one-stoplight town in Northern California. As adults, Amber and Emily have planned and executed corporate and social events all over the globe — fulfilling Karson Butler Events’ core mission ...

Whether you’re looking for a picnic lunch, need to pick up a bottle of wine or are planning a five-course Thanksgiving dinner — SLO Provisions has you covered. Partners in life and business, Steve Bland and Dwyne Willis started SLO Pro just five years ago, though many locals can’t imagine the Mojo area without their ...

With a company mission like “Make Memories Here”, it’s no wonder SLO Sweets shops are filled with nostalgia of childhood candy dreams. Miranda Battenburg and her husband opened the old fashioned candy stores more than 13 years ago and have aspired to help customers reminisce on past memories centered around a particular candy — which ...

Jenny Kompolt and Melissa James started Junk Girls in their garage in 2009 with the goal of inspiring others and bringing more creativity and joy into their own lives. We sat down with Jenny and Melissa to learn more about switching from the corporate tech world to art, their secrets to tapping into creativity when ...

Since 2001, Jeff and Laura Ambrose have owned the San Luis Obispo Woodstock’s, along with the other California restaurants. Much has changed in the nearly 20 years of ownership and even more since Jeff originally started working for Chuck Woodstock back in 1980. Woodstock’s now has eight locations on the West Coast and the SLO ...

Paula Dooley is the host of SLO Coast Wine’s “5:01 Wednesday” podcast and co-owner of Stephen Ross Wine Cellars, a business she runs with her winemaker husband. With September being wine month, the team at Stephen Ross is busy bringing grapes in daily, shipping out bottles to members and keeping their tasting room open and ...

Lesa Smith is the owner of Whiz Kids, a toy store she founded in 1987 to encourage creativity and learning for game lovers of all ages. Having lived in SLO since 1974, Lesa was inspired to open Whiz Kids after her daughter was born and she wasn’t able to locally find the kinds of quality, ...

San Luis Obispo is widely recognized for its green rolling hills and renowned wine country. Fortunately, wine season is upon us and social distancing does not have to impact your Wine Wednesday. Your favorite local wineries in San Luis Obispo are now offering curbside pick-up, and in some cases, free delivery. Who doesn’t love a ...