VENTURA : Pamphlets Highlight Art, Antiques Stores

Tourism officials in Ventura plan to distribute thousands of new brochures that detail to visitors the variety of local art and antiques stores.

The revised pamphlet, updated from last year, features 21 antiques shops and highlights many of the city’s art galleries.

It is available at no charge from the Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau at 89 S. California St. in downtown Ventura. Shoppers also can call (800) 333-2989 to obtain a pamphlet.

Bill Clawson, the convention bureau’s executive director, said the city’s reputation as a destination for antiques buyers draws thousands of visitors to the historic downtown each year.

“Ventura has been getting a lot of publicity lately as an ‘antiquing’ hot spot,” Clawson said. “It’s great that our downtown is rediscovering a new identity as one of Southern California’s antique Meccas.”

The bureau ordered 3,000 of the pamphlets, which were printed for about $300, Clawson said. Ventura’s downtown generates about $50 million in sales a year, tourism officials said.