Downtown gets gift cards

I grew up in St. Louis, Mo., in the golden age of the shopping mall (remember the board game Mall Madness?). For special occasions, I’d always receive gift certificates to the Galleria, our biggest, coolest shopping center. It was great, because I could use them at any store; it was a one-size-fits-all solution to gift-giving.

I learned last week from Anika Burke Rodriguez Kronmiller, owner of the Anika Burke clothing store, that downtown Chico now has its own version of that, a Downtown Chico Gift Card. They’re available at $25, $50 and $100 values and can be purchased at the Downtown Chico Business Association office (330 Salem St.) or Diamond W Western Wear (181 E. Second St.). Participating businesses (some 50 of them!) can be found on the DCBA website and include retailers (Bird in Hand, Kirk’s Jewelry, etc.) and restaurants (Crush, Parkside Tap House and more).

I’d been in contact with Rodriguez Kronmiller regarding the Downtown Chico Shoppe Hop that she and Kim Columbo, owner of 3 Seas, had organized for last Thursday (Dec. 12). She said they’d put that event together in response to customer complaints of having missed Christmas Preview, which this year was combined with the Tree Lighting. They got two dozen-plus businesses involved and offered a $100 gift card to one shopper who made purchases at three of them that evening. I wasn’t able to attend, but I hear it was a success. The coolest part, Rodriguez Kronmiller told me, was seeing so many downtown businesses working together.

More closures ’Tis the season, I suppose. I’ve learned recently of several more Chico establishments calling it quits. Heavenly Blue Fine Lingerie, on the second floor of the Grandview Building downtown, is one of them. Apparently owner Ellen Stephens is ready to retire. The store opened in 2010 and has the cutest little mascot, Chewy. Everything is on sale, so go use up gift certificates and store credit if you’ve got ’em.

Also retiring is Dovie Detches, owner of Dove’s Gypsy Heart Boutique, which relocated to the Chico Mall after the Camp Fire. “You know, I’ve had stores in Chico and Paradise for the last 33 years and am so grateful to have had this great career in retail,” Detches told me. “It’s a great time to retire.” She’ll be selling inventory through the 31st, then fixtures in January. There’ll be an art and wine event Jan. 17 (tickets $45). So, get on over and say farewell.

I happened to stop by The Buzz last week for a breakfast burrito and was sad to learn that it’d be serving its final Sunday brunch Dec. 15. I’ll miss the tri-tip Benedict and housemade corned beef, to be sure. And, just down the road at Fifth and Cedar streets, Tacos Pepe, the little hole in the wall with the well-seasoned taco grill with a “moat,” also has closed. I’d gone a few times at Arts Editor Jason Cassidy’s recommendation, and was not disappointed. But all good things must end.

Happy holidays!