Shopping in Port Hueneme

Ever since his parents opened a bookstore in 1954, Clarey Rudd's life has revolved around the written word. Clarey owned and managed 24 bookstores between 1974 and 1996 before depositing a life’s worth of knowledge into Bank of Books, where the next generation of Rudds joins in the family business by sorting and shipping more than 200,000 new and used titles. A veritable potpourri of genres greets visitors at the two-level store, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg. The Rudd clan restocks the shelves daily, sending excess titles to a warehouse where more than two million additional books reside.

With both book-filled facilities to draw from, the Rudds have no problem helping interested parties hunt down everything from new releases to ancient manuals. They keep Bank of Books filled with works from local authors and national bestsellers, even saving some space for local artists to exhibit and sell their work.

The knitting instructors and enthusiasts at Anacapa Fine Yarns foster a welcoming, serene environment in which beginners and experts alike can further their skills and pick up supplies for their next project. A diverse offering of classes ranges from beginning knitting to more advanced classes such as Extreme Double Knitting, in which students craft a warm beanie, and Continental Converts, which teaches a quicker method for churning out scarves to stave off threats of snowman rebellion. Instruction takes place in a 1,900-square-foot classroom separate from the shop area, transforming on Thursday nights into an open workshop for anyone who'd like to work on a personal project alongside friends.

Featured in numerous television and online media, the Sassy City Chicks Fashion Bash showcases trendy apparel from more than 50 designers, as well as accessories from chic lines such as Jay Clay Jewelry, Divine Sole Boutique, and Frederick's of Hollywood. Style mavens descend on the event to sample cocktails and relax in an onsite spa lounge. Visitors also take advantage of discounts on handbags and accessories from locally based brands. At the end of the day, select attendees go home with eco-friendly, reusable tote bags, which are filled with coupons, certificates, and at least $30 worth of beauty products from brands such as Pureology and TanTowel, including lip balm, compact mirrors, and envy balm to apply directly to the eyes of coworkers jealous of your ensemble.