Everybody’s business

New bloom
I previously reported that Trucker, a mostly men’s clothing store inspired by the people at Lulu’s Fashion Lounge, is moving into half of the Broadway space that for decades had been occupied by Sierra Stationers.

The other 4,000 square feet will be occupied by For Elyse, a clothing store brought forth by the owners of Wild Orchid on West First Street and set to open Nov. 6.

Amber and Jeremy Kierig (he’s an owner of Bunz Thrill of the Grill) decided to name the shop after their daughter, who just turned 7.

“It’s for your fashion addiction,” Amber Kierig said of For Elyse, which will feature some brand names like Guess, Mavi and Silver, but nearly two-thirds of the store will be $14 tops and “real cute, fun” outfits geared toward shoppers in their 20s and up on tight budgets. There will be small sections of children’s and men’s clothing, but most of it is for the female persuasion.

“We do really well at Wild Orchid,” Kierig said of the store that’s been open since 1999 and will remain. “We really wanted to get a prime location and do something from the ground up.”

What a nut
The almond industry is puffing out its chest because Men’s Health magazine has crowned the almond “King Nut.”

Pitting eight nuts against each other for the title of “nut champion,” nutrition experts considered monounsaturated fat content, protein and vitamins. The mighty almond beat out Brazil, macadamia and pistachio nuts in its bracket to square off against the cashew, which had bested walnuts, pecans and peanuts.

Almond royalty will savor the victory and prepare for the future—which includes record-breaking shipments and improved global marketing—at the 31st Almond Industry Conference to be held Dec. 3-4 in Modesto.

Guest speakers will include bigwigs from the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as well as astronaut Sally Ride.

Pug-nacious
This column has afforded me a degree of local fame, and I am highly sought after for speakers’ panels (my fees are outrageous), ribbon-cuttings and awards presentations. I also do weddings and bar mitzvahs.

I’m exaggerating, actually. But I was honored last weekend when I was approached by the Pug Sunday organization to judge its annual doggie Halloween costume contest.

Although I’m not sure my qualifications were entirely in order, especially since I’m more of a cat person, I was glad to help out a group that promotes the health and well-being of the squished-face pups, in part by finding homes for “unwanted” pugs.

The pugs lined up in their costumes, which ranged from a princess to a Harley-Davidson biker to a pirate. First place in the “Judges’ choice” division went to Spock, who dressed as a skunk. The “Scariest” were a pair: Diva and Phoebe (pictured), little devils whose mom, Gina Menchini , brought them all the way from Yuba City to compete.

Pug Sunday is the first Sunday of every month, with the bottom-sniffing commencing at 1 p.m. at the Hooker Oak Recreation Area.