Tea and flowers

Exciting things are afoot with the folks at T. Tea Bar & Fusion Cafe. The restaurant, which opened on Vallombrosa Avenue a stone’s throw from the CN&R offices in 2004 and now has two locations in Chico, is expanding to Sacramento. The new cafe, in midtown on Capitol Avenue, will offer everything locals have come to love from the Chico locations. Chief among them: the more than 40 varieties of teas, from sparkling to traditional. Judging by the response on Facebook, it’ll be an instant Sactown hotspot.

In other Tea Bar news, I just learned that they’re now offering delivery and “express catering.” That means you can order your favorite bowl or wrap or salad plus drinks and have ’em delivered for a work lunch or holiday party. Minimum 24-hour notice, with party packs and individual meals available. Go to ilovetbar.com for more info.

Flower power Despite a few hiccups, Christian & Johnson Flowers and Gifts has made the move to 1098 E. First Ave. The building looks great (you can’t miss the teal!) and there will be a grand opening on Saturday (July 28), 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

So long, farewell I apparently don’t make it to the north end of town much these days, because I missed the demolition of the American Inn on The Esplanade just north of East Avenue. What’s happening there, you ask? A Surf Thru Express Car Wash—same company that has a spot near Home Depot—is going in, and construction has begun. My experience with Surf Thru has been positive, so this should be a good addition to north Chico.

And, get ready to say goodbye to Country Waffles. I noticed the building had been put up for sale some time ago, and apparently there’s a buyer. Plans to demo the standalone building in the Raley’s parking lot off Notre Dame Boulevard and replace it with a business akin to the Panera Bread by the Chico Mall—complete with a drive-thru—were approved last week (July 18) by the Architectural Review and Historic Preservation Board. There’s no word yet on what business(es) might occupy the new space.

Word also has it that next Thursday’s ARHPB meeting will include discussion of a new coffee shop at 418 Broadway. That’s all I know right now, though clearly we need another coffee shop downtown. Stay tuned for more.

Casual browsing During a recent scan of some of my super-secret story sources, I came across mention of Baked Chico CA Operators LLC, which describes its business as a “retail bakery selling and delivering cookies, brownies, ice cream, bottled milk, and bottled water.” Its location is exciting—305 Main St., which is the vacant space next to Urban Fresh Fuel. I couldn’t find much information on who’s behind it, however, except there’s a mailing address in Pennsylvania.