Proud Santaneros
Santa Ana is a prideful and close community. Eight local business owners were asked what makes them a proud Santanero.
Each person and place is unique and collectively they weave together making Santa Ana a community that is united by originality.
Carlos Barragan, Charlie’s Tattoo Supplies
Q: Where were you born?
A: I am from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
A: I love music and have a passion for collecting vinyl records.
Q: What is unique about your business?
A: We are a one-stop shop for all your tattoo supply needs. We also sell a great selection of Santa Ana streetwear, skateboards, jewelry, records, art supplies, and more.
Q: What inspired you to open your business?
A: In 1993, I met my wife, and we had big dreams, but very little money. My wife and I started selling tamales. Although this was a start, we knew that we would need to do more. I began to sell leather belts and boots as an additional source of income. I saw potential in the Western wear market, so we began selling these products at the Costa Mesa Swap Meet. Eventually, we were able to open a small store on Baker Street in Santa Ana consisting of Western wear. After nine years of selling Western wear, there was less demand in the market due to the new generation of young adults. I felt the need to diversify, so I turned to my family, and we decided to open a tattoo supply store.
Q: What recommendation do you have for visitors?
A: Come down to Calle Cuatro (4th Street) in Santa Ana and see that there is a little piece of Mexican culture.
Charlie’s Tattoo Supplies, 318 E. 4th St. Santa Ana
Bob Bergman, Visioneering Studios
Q: Where were you born?
A: I was born in Kansas.
Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
A: I would travel through countries to work on resorts and theme parks. I would also give up my vacation time to do disaster relief mission work.
Q: How did you begin your career at Visioneering Studios?
A: For years I worked at AECOM, a company that works in over 150 countries to plan new cities, restore damaged environments, connect people and economies with roads, bridges, tunnels and transit systems, and parks where children play. While in this company, I specifically worked on AECOM’s theme parks. Theme parks are “story-driven” spaces and working on them created the seed in me between my work for Walt Disney and the Imagineers at AECOM, I was creating the drawings for Disney and soon decided I wanted to help less fortunate people in communities design their spaces.
Q: What is unique about Visioneering Studios?
A: Visioneering Studios offers a suite of “look to launch” services, specializing in nonprofit, worship, and commercial environments. From real estate to designing to building, our integrated divisions, national licensure, and collective expertise provide a seamless customer journey to cutting-edge environments. Whether you are looking to ENVISION, DESIGN, or BUILD your space, we would love to partner with you.
Q: What recommendation do you have for visitors?
A: Santa Ana has a long, cultural, rich history and I encourage visitors to walk and experience events like Savor Santa Ana, Taste of Santa Ana, and the Artwalk.
Visioneering Studios, 106 W. 4th St., #600
Norah Briceño Brower, Mil Jugos
Q: Where were you born?
A: I was born in Venezuela.
Q: What inspired you to open your business?
A: I was single living alone in Venezuela and decided to move to the U.S. with my sister who was living here in California.
Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
A: I have a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s in finance.
My business in Santa Ana is named the same name as my original restaurant in Venezuela.
Q: What is unique about your business?
A: We are a family-owned business serving the best Venezuelan food in town from Cachapas, Arepas, and Empanadas.
Q: What recommendation do you have for visitors?
A: Here in Santa Ana, it is always a party, always a festivity. I recommend visitors experience the nightlife and the many festivals that take place in the area.
Mil Jugos, 320 W. 5th St.
Logan Crow, The Frida Cinema
Q: How many years have you been in business in Santa Ana?
A: I opened the Frida Cinema in 2014.
Q: Where were you raised?
A: I was raised in Fountain Valley, California. My father was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and my mother in Managua, Nicaragua.
Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
A: I am a writer and syndicated film critic, with hundreds of reviews and interviews published in various websites and publications, as well as a community event planner. I currently serve as a Board Member of Orange County LGBT Pride.
Q: What is unique about your business?
A: We are a non-profit independent art house theater located in Santa Ana, CA, which offers eclectic cinematic programming year-round, complemented by live events such as concerts, multimedia productions, and civic and educational events.
Q: What recommendation do you have for visitors?
A: My recommendation for visitors is to get down to downtown Santa Ana and just allow themselves time to explore. You have options down here, and exploring is, I think, a huge part of the fun of coming to downtown Santa Ana. So, park your car, walk around and I guarantee you will find something to eat and something fun and enriching to do.
The Frida Cinema, 305 E. 4th St. #100
Raymond Rangel, R&R Western Wear
Q: How many years have you been in business in Santa Ana?
A: 75 years. I opened my business in Downtown Santa Ana in 1947.
Q: Where were you born?
A: I was born in Santa Ana in an area known as the Delhi Barrio on the Southside.
Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
A: I am a Navy Veteran.
Q: What inspired you to open your business?
A: After serving my country, I was going to open a grocery store, but my wife didn't care for that idea so instead I started working for a clothing store called Jackman's. Years later I partnered with a friend to open a men's clothing store called R&R sportswear in Downtown Santa Ana and here we are today.
Q: What is unique about your business?
A: We specialize in Western wear for men and women.
Q: What recommendation do you have for visitors?
A: I would like to invite you to downtown Santa Ana because we have just about everything you can think of. We have beauty shops, we have a market that caters to all kinds of food, also the barbershops, we have anything you would like to have.
R&R Western Wear, 308 E. 4th St.
Jon Sanchez, Native Son
Q: How many years have you been in business in Santa Ana?
A: Since 2014
Q: Where were you born?
A: I was born and raised in Whittier, California.
Q: What inspired you to open your business?
A: I opened my business right in the middle of Downtown Santa Ana and chose the name “Native Son” because the name represents me coming back home. I am the “Native Son.” The name Native Son also implies that I am here for the natives of this area. I take pride in knowing that this is a place for all Santaneros and my aspiration is to be Orange County’s Best Beer Bar.
Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
A: I graduated from Whittier Christian High School and then went to the University of Southern California (USC). After college, I worked for the Nestle Corporation and spent five years traveling with my job all over the U.S.
Q: What is unique about your business?
A: Native Son is your local beer bar and ale house. We bring you unique cocktails & beers from the best breweries in Orange County and the Inland Empire. And we have a one-of-a-kind, dog-friendly patio that is open year-round.
Q: What recommendation do you have for visitors?
A: What I would recommend to visitors is to come to Downtown Santa Ana and to get down to 4th Street and walk. You are going to find some of the best coffee you can in all of Southern California. You are going to find food and beverage that is incredibly diverse and unique.
Native Son, 305 E 4th St., Ste. 200
Delilah Snell, Alta Baja Market
Q: Where were you raised?
A: I was raised in Orange County, California. My father is from Boston, Massachusetts and my mother is from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.
Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
A: I studied Biology, Philosophy, and English Literature.
Q: What inspired you to open your business?
A: I love the city of Santa Ana, and I love that Alta Baja is a place where everyone can feel at home. When I first opened in 2016, I did not have many products, so I began small. I sold a selection of crafts from my travels around California, Mexico, and the American Southwest. As a merchandiser, I knew that variety was key, and that is when I incorporated food into the picture. I began to bring along products like wine, spices, and teas. Today, we sell a wide range of goods from deli items to unique crafts and gifts.
Q: What is unique about your business?
A: We are a specialty grocery store, cafe, and educational space dedicated to celebrating the foods and crafts of California, Mexico, and the American Southwest, combining the vibrancy of a specialty food shop with the inviting environment of a casual neighborhood eating spot.
Q: What recommendation do you have for visitors?
A: My recommendation is to walk up and down the street. Every building has its own personality. Each street is totally different.
Alta Baja Market, 201-200 E. 4th St.,
Raul Yanez, Mi Moda
Q: How many years have you been in business in Santa Ana?
A: I have had my business in downtown Santa Ana for 43 years.
Q: Where were you born?
A: I was born in Jalisco, Mexico.
Q: What inspired you to open your business?
A: I decided to come to the U.S. in 1970, alone, with little money but committed to seeking a better life. I landed a job working in fashion in Los Angeles and began selling clothing to my friends from my own car. In 1979 I made my move to Downtown Santa Ana and instantly fell in love with the area that I just knew I had to open my brick-and-mortar business on Fourth Street.
Q: What is unique about your business?
A: I specialize in men’s clothing, Italian suits, ties, and shirts.
Q: What recommendation do you have for visitors?
A: I invite them to come and have fun downtown and to look at the beautiful murals in our city because the murals tell us different stories.
Mi Moda, 108 E. 4th St.,
