Experience Folke in Ventura

May 29, 2025

Written by Corigan Kushma | Photos by Derek Street

If you’ve ever strolled along Main Street in downtown Ventura, you’ve likely paused for a quick design-drool in front of Folke’s vibrant yellow trimmed windows. The beloved mid-century and Scandinavian furniture shop is so much more than just furniture, thanks to the trailblazing, resilient, and multi-talented owners, Matt and Courtney Rascoe.

The beloved mid-century and Scandinavian furniture shop Folke is so much more than just furniture, thanks to the trailblazing, resilient, and multi-talented owners, Matt and Courtney Rascoe.

Courtney (a fourth generation Venturian) and Matt both have impressive backgrounds and prior careers in art and styling, as well as lifelong passions for vintage design. The couple started collecting mid-century furniture together almost two decades ago, and what was a fun hobby and a ‘good eye’ quickly grew into something they wanted to share with their community.

In 2017, they took a risk and opened their first shop in downtown Ventura, on Oak Street. “We crossed our fingers and hoped for the best,” said Courtney. At the time, Oak Street was mostly boarded-up vacant shops. They were told they were crazy for trying this, but, as the Rascoes do, they saw the potential and they went for it. It worked. They were actually busy, and people were coming from all over to see their selection.

Naturally, some vintage finds needed to be repaired. Out of necessity, and thanks to Matt’s strong do-it-yourself ethic, he taught himself woodworking and has honed it to the level of custom furniture being one of their main offerings today, as well as weaving, caning, upholstery, and the like.

There is something in Folke for everyone, and all price points. It’s not a shop just for the design savvy, but you’ll likely leave at least a little inspired.

In 2019, they were forced to move from Oak Street and they got the chance to grab their current storefront on Main Street. At the time, it was way more money than they could afford, and the space needed a lot of work. So, as the Rascoes do — they saw the potential, and they went for it. “We put it all on the line,” Matt said, with that ‘I can’t believe we did that’ look on his face.

They poured all their time, money, and elbow grease into getting the shop ready. The day before opening, they had $50 left in their bank account. They finished the wood floors with watered down varnish, because they couldn’t buy another can. They crossed their fingers and opened the doors. Again, it worked.

But soon after opening, 2020 hit like the roller-coaster ride none of us wanted to get on, and their resilience as business owners was tested again. Though today, it seems this has all only made them real Renaissance entrepreneurs.

Folke offers incredible mid-century vintage finds, a line of custom-built Scandinavian inspired sofas and chairs that are handbuilt in LA, furniture restoration, custom furniture of any style, delightful homegoods and gifts, as well as a line of high-quality organic candles, soaps, and lotions that are being made on-site. There is something in Folke for everyone, and all price points. It’s not a shop just for the design savvy, but you’ll likely leave at least a little inspired.