Urban marketplace

Chico’s business landscape is continually evolving. Storefronts come and go as cultural trends change. The ones that tend to stick around are those with a niche market. And in recent years, some of those making their mark have had a distinctly urban vibe—the kind of enterprises you’d find in, say, San Francisco or Hollywood.

For our annual Business Issue, we spoke with the creative folks behind eight local establishments. A few of them are longtime success stories, while others are new to the scene. Each of their visions is different but well-executed. They range from a hip barber shop that specializes in beard-trimming to a high-quality vintage-apparel store with a carefully curated collection of clothes spanning at least five decades.

We hope you enjoy reading the stories behind their labors of love.