CHICO — Downtown Chico hummed with shoppers Saturday during Small Business Saturday as everyone got into the Christmas spirit.
The day of celebrating local businesses was a success as shops offered discounts and lots of smiles as they reveled in keeping things local.
5th Street Clothing Co owner Carol Munson grinned widely when talking about the event. 5th Street is located at 328 Broadway St. and sells women’s clothing, jewelry and purses.
“Every day is a great day to go shopping in downtown,” Munson said. “We want a fun downtown and want to support local businesses.”
Munson opened the store 45 years ago. She said she had had other jobs before that, but made her mark with her 5th Street.
“I’m here to be helpful,” Munson said. “I’m a servant to the people.”
Munson said the secret to her store’s success is the customer service.
“We are very service oriented,” she said. “We treat customers like close relatives.”
Meanwhile, Bird in Hand, located at 320 Broadway St., was packed with customers. Bird in Hand was established in 1981 and is a Chico staple.
“We have the support of the community,” said owner Bob Malowney. “We respond to the people here. This wouldn’t happen if we were a chain.”
Bird in Hand sells toys, games, puzzles, bath products, calendars, books, Christmas ornaments and much more. Malowney said there has been a surge recently with sales on childrens’ books and the ornaments are selling well.
“Some people have made a tradition of coming in here every year for Christmas ornaments,” Malowney said.
Malowney said that years ago, people had to travel to Sacramento to buy products. He said people should shop at Bird in Hand first.
“That’s where the name comes from,” he said. “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
Visit www.birdinhand.com for more information or to buy online.
Malowney said the store is like a town square or town center.
“People run into friends here they haven’t seen in awhile,” he said.
Bird in Hand is a family business. His daughter is the buyer for the store and her husband works for the store as well.
“She’s very talented in selecting things,” he said. Malowney’s two grandchildren work in the store as well.
Chris Campfield is the assistant manager at Made in Chico, located at 127 West Third St. Made in Chico has existed for 42 years but has been at the West Third location for 14 years.
“We are very excited about Small Business Saturday,” Campfield said. “It’s great to see the shoppers supporting local businesses.”
Campfield said the store owner, Jacki Headley, opened the store originally to showcase local artists and was an artisan herself. Headley originally had a store called Woof and Poof.
Made in Chico sells cards, baby items, food, jewelry, signs, honey, jewelry, bath and body products and much more which are all made in Chico.
Headley has since died and her husband owns the store.
“We are honoring Jacki’s legacy,” Campfield said.
Emma Lopez manages Upper Park Clothing located at 122 West Third St. The store sells a lifestyle brand related to Upper Park in Bidwell Park. The store is offering discounts on large purchases Sunday, with shoppers earning 10% if they spend $50, for example.
“Small Business Saturday is super beneficial,” Lopez said. “It’s good to see people out shopping and back to normal after the past couple of years.”
Lopez said all of the store’s products can be sold online as well. Upper Park Clothing’s website can be found at upperparkclothing.com.
