Transformation time

I’d heard rumors that Bella’s Sports Pub would be moving to a new spot downtown and, after a “for lease” sign went up in the window of the current Broadway space, I finally confirmed them. I popped in earlier this week and was told by a friendly bartender that no, Bella’s is not closing (I apparently wasn’t the first to ask), but rather moving next to the Garden Walk Mall toward the end of 2018.

A quick walk over to Main Street revealed major renovations being done at 231, most recently occupied by Retro Reduxx, which moved its vintage clothing store online last October. I’m excited to see the new Bella’s, which will have a significantly larger footprint than the current location and be closer to its sister bar/restaurant, Parkside Tap House.

Wax on Speaking of the Garden Walk Mall, there’s a new business there simply called Waxed. Owner/waxing enthusiast Carrie Jossel tells me she’s taking appointments and expects to be fully up and running in a couple of weeks. She’s been waxing at salons in San Francisco for over 15 years and decided it was time for a change of pace. If her Yelp reviews (I mean raves) are any indication, Jossel’s appointment book will be filled in no time. Go to waxedboutique.com to find out more and to book a wax.

Another move I mentioned last week that Christian & Johnson Flowers and Gifts had completed its move and reopened on East First Avenue. Well, its old digs (at 250 Vallombrosa Ave., Ste. 100) weren’t vacant long. Last Thursday (Aug. 2), I stopped by for the grand reopening of PB&J Boutique, at the invitation of owner Erica Wright.

Wright founded the shop with her husband, Martin Ringvold, in 2009. Originally online-only, she said it took off quickly, prompting them to open up a brick-and-mortar shop on Cohasset Road. The new location seems ideal for a shop like PB&J, next door to the Yoga Center of Chico and across the parking lot from the ever-popular T. Tea Bar & Fusion Cafe. PB&J specializes in “vintage-inspired” clothing, shoes and accessories from brands like Levi’s and Seychelles. Stop in and check it out, or browse the collections at pbjboutique.com.

From teriyaki to taqueria The old Taco Bell building on Broadway that until recently was home to Enjoy Teriyaki will soon make another transformation. I drove by the other day and noticed a sign announcing the impending arrival (“coming soon!”) of La Perla Taqueria Mexican Grill. That’s all I know at the moment, but I’m certainly excited for another Mexican eatery downtown.

Kudos There’s been an outpouring of help in response to the Carr Fire, but one instance that stood out to me was a thank-you video from Terraces Executive Director Brad Acevedo. In it, he describes how his facility took in 97 evacuees from senior care centers in Redding and the Chico community’s swift and generous donations. “We truly live in a fantastic community that feels from the heart,” Acevedo said. Amen.