Everybody’s business

It’s only natural
Chico Natural Foods, downtown’s only grocery store, has gotten a facelift.

The nonprofit co-op’s board of directors decided to remodel its building at Eighth and Main streets, which was opened as a Safeway in 1939. The work has resulted in an expansion into previously unused portions of the building and has made room for more groceries.

“We really wanted to put a fresh, new look on Chico Natural Foods,” said Rachel Oriana Schraeder, a two-year board member who was hired as the new general manager in October 2003. “We have added new products in every grocery department.”

A “grand re-opening” is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with prizes, food samples, speakers and activities.

The exterior of the store has been repainted and accented with a mural by Gregg Payne.

Tres bien
Also looking good is Tres Hombres, which has gotten its first paint job since the Mexican restaurant moved in at First and Broadway 16 years ago.

Michael Thomas, who owns the place with fellow Chico resident Johnny Scurto, said Tres was getting “dull-looking on the outside.”

The building is said to be one of the first two structures in the downtown shopping area, housing John Bidwell’s general store and post office. Thomas said it’s “cool” doing business in an historic structure, and they chose colors, suggested by an artist friend, that would respect the downtown. “It was kind of scary to look at it on paper because it was such a drastic change,” Thomas said. “We wanted it to be visible but not to be ‘in-your-face.’”

Two weeks ago, the owners painted and replaced tile inside and did a thorough cleaning.

Let’s dance
If she thinks a Nutcracker waltz will draw out a severely disabled child, dancer Christine Ryan is all for it. She hopes her new business will help people of all ages with physical, mental or emotional handicaps.

Calling it Creative Movement Explorations, Ryan teaches classes in her home studio.

She works with individuals or groups. “I will adapt my class for anyone,” said Ryan, a seven-year Chico resident who has a degree in psychology and is starting on a master’s in expressive art theory. While she specializes in special-needs dancers, people without disabilities are also welcome—she has two currently taking ballet.

Brochures are available at Chico Creek Dance Center, Fitness for Women, Dance Away and Far Northern Regional Center, and Ryan can be reached at 332-0671.