Everybody’s business

Chevy’s chase
The lonely bear of an edifice at Second and Broadway streets ceased being known as “the old Bank of America building” and is now referred to as “the old Chevy’s building,” in homage to the Mexican food chain that closed in 2003 just five years after pouring an estimated $3 million into the historic building.

Now, finally, something is going to happen there—and it ain’t gonna be no dance club, kiddies.

The building was recently purchased from Socks LLC by D. Bruce Fite and 2nd and Broadway LLC. Fite (Local connection: Fite’s chief financial officer, Pete Halimi, is the brother of Diamond W Western Wear owner David Halimi.)

I didn’t get calls back from David Halimi, nor Sacramento-based Fite Development Company nor real estate agent Jeff Farrar of Ingram Commercial.

But from what I gather, it looks like the plan is to split up the 14,115-square-foot building, perhaps putting a different restaurant (or food-related business) on each of the three floors.

Trevor Sanders, operating partner for sole current tenant Jamba Juice, said the smoothie shop is staying put, and he passed on a chance to put a Dos Coyotes restaurant in there. “They’re looking for something really cool that will fit the downtown market very well,” he said.

Fite Development Company is a major land developer that has been involved in huge warehouse projects, shopping centers and the Chico Mall.

Shasta Parent births new name
Shasta Parent magazine has become North State Parent, beginning with the October issue that just hit stands.

The new name reflects the ever-broadening scope of the magazine, which is celebrating its 12th anniversary. The publication is intended to reach families in Butte, Shasta, Tehama and Southern Siskiyou counties.

Publisher and Editor Pamela Newman said the new name “better reflects our three and one-half counties of circulation.”

“Our goal is for parents to be able to network with neighboring communities and for parents to share in the joy of raising children in the very beautiful north state,” she added.

Strip show
For sale: the strip mall at Fifth and Mangrove avenues, appropriately named 5th and Mangrove. The asking price: $4.7 million. It was built in 1979 and hosts stores including: Jenny Craig Weight Loss, Rico’s pizza, The Cookie Shoppe, a couple of salons and a bridal shop.

Here’s to brew
Raise a glass to Ken Grossman, owner of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, who was honored Sept. 28 by U.C. Davis.

The university’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences chose the Chico brewer and businessman to receive the “Outstanding Family and Friends” award of distinction.

“He helped establish California as one of the few good ‘brewing states,’” stated Department Chair Charles Bamforth in a press release.

Grossman guest-teaches at the university, hosts field trips to the brewery, hires U.C. Davis graduates and donates to the malting and brewing program there.