Tipple & Ramble

When visiting Ojai, you must stop into Tipple & Ramble! This delightful shop occupies the bottom level of a lovely Spanish duplex owned by Sunè Goldsteen. She lives in the unit upstairs and has turned the gorgeous retail space and patio downstairs into a fun place to sip and shop. She hosts wine tastings and snacks on the patio, which will soon be available to reserve for small events. Offering small housewares, colorful textiles, and soft goods, this shop is the perfect addition to the cozy Ojai Valley.

Name/Title: Sunè Goldsteen / Tipple & Ramble

Launch date: April 2014

Inspiration for opening: For many years, I wanted to have a business that was a combination of my favorite things— home design and entertaining, food, wine, events, but I didn’t know what form it would take. Then I found the current space, and it seemed like there was the possibility to do lots of different things (live/work, appropriate zoning, large patio, charming Mediterranean façade). Ojai felt like a good place to be a little experimental with the concept, and I thought well, there’s no perfect time, you just have to try it and see where it goes…so here we are!

Merchandise source: I try to source things from all over the world. Mostly, I look for items that have a bit of whimsy and cheer but still have a strong design ethos. We have woven baskets and platters from Rwanda made by a women’s collective, Moroccan floor cushions, Peruvian blankets/rugs, sea grass tumblers and pitchers from France, backgammon sets from Wolfum in LA, Lemlem tunics from Ethiopia. I try to carry things that are evocative of experience— where people say “let’s buy this and host a cocktail party in the backyard”.

Best-selling item: Our marble and rosewood cheese boards and laguiole knives.

Your favorite item: I love our Nicaraguan crocheted hammocks made with sustainably harvested coffee wood. Just add a mojito and it’s a mini backyard vacation.

Favorite store (other than your own): Ojai has some great, unique stores for being such a small town. I like that each place is clearly a labor of love of the owner. I love Dekor & Co on S. Montgomery. They have a tea bar which is a good counterpoint to my wine patio (on occasion you need a break from wine ;)) Otherwise, I love shopping the vintage stores in Palm Springs—where else can you find 5-foot brass peacock?