Ag/Growing Supplies
FIRST Place: Northern Star Mills
510 Esplanade, 342-7661
See Best Feed Store/Farm Supply.
SECOND Place: Chico Ag Mart
1334 Park Ave, 809-2367
THIRD Place: Tractor Supply Co.
2475 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, 897-0669
Antiques Store
FIRST Place: Eighth & Main Antiques
745 Main St., 893-5534
Eighth & Main is huge! Across two buildings, it spans 29,000 square feet, housing vendors selling everything from antiques and collectibles to vintage clothing and vinyl records.
SECOND Place: Little Red Hen
215 Main St., 894-1311
THIRD Place: Country Squyres Antiques
164 E. Third St., 342-6764
Appliance Store
FIRST Place: Ginno’s Kitchen & Appliance Center
2505 Zanella Way, 342-2182
Ginno’s is Chico’s largest independent appliance dealer, family-owned and -operated for more 50 years. The friendly and knowledgeable staff help customers navigate a wide selection of styles from leading manufacturers and also come to homes for installations and trusted repairs.
SECOND Place: Hudson’s Appliance Center
2525 Dominic Dr., Ste. D, 877-6312
THIRD Place: Collier Hardware
105 Broadway, 342-0195
Attorney
FIRST Place: Rooney Law Firm
1458 Esplanade, 345-5678
As a former probation officer and public defender, Michael Rooney has a lot of experience with the criminal justice system. But his practice isn’t limited to defense—Chicoans also trust him with cases in other areas, such as personal injury and family law.
SECOND Place: The Law Office of Nikki Farris
2607 Forest Ave., Ste. 120, 898-1488
THIRD Place: Law Offices of Aaron J. Stewart
2571 California Park Drive, Ste. 100, 345-2212
Auto Paint/Body Shop
FIRST Place: Concours Elite Collision Center
2267 Esplanade, Ste. D, 891-0234
Bob and Linda Fitzgerald opened Concours Elite in 1982. When it comes to painting, structure repair and getting people’s rides into competition shape, theirs is the go-to shop for Chicoans.
SECOND Place: JP’s Paint & Body Works
1840 Park Ave., 342-1328
THIRD Place: Mike Knight Customs
2961 Hwy 32, Stes. 54-56, 214-9949
Auto Repair Shop
FIRST Place: Affordable Automotive
2106 Park Ave., 892-1774
Affordable Automotive can handle any repair, from preventive maintenance to transmission work to diagnosing and fixing those mystery rattles we all know too well. With the shop’s guarantee and warranty promise, customers know they’re getting service they can trust.
SECOND Place: Spencer Automotive
2540 Dominic Drive, 345-5600
THIRD Place: Guido’s Auto Precision
135 W. Eighth Ave., 891-8313
Baby/Kids’ Clothier
FIRST Place: Once Upon a Child
801 East Ave., Ste. 106, 592-3824
Once Upon a Child boasts being North America’s No. 1 children’s resale franchise, and the Chico store is stuffed with ready-to-wear, gently used clothes along with toys and equipment that meet current safety standards.
SECOND Place: Apple Blossom Baby
977 East Ave, Ste. 90, 345-1617
THIRD Place: Kat’s Meow
138 W. Third St., 899-8811
Bank/Credit Union
FIRST Place: Tri Counties Bank
Multiple locations
The first branch of Tri Counties Bank opened in Chico on March 11, 1975, at the current 2171 Pillsbury Road location. There are now branches all over the state operated by more than 1,500 employees. Customers have come to know the bank by its core values of trust, respect, integrity, communication and opportunity, or TRICO.
SECOND Place: Golden Valley Bank
190 Cohasset Road, Ste. 170, 894-1000
THIRD Place: Members 1st Credit Union
Two locations: 969 East Ave. & 550 Salem St., 222-6060
Barbershop
FIRST Place: Liberty Barber Co.
240 Main St., Ste. 180, 630-7313
Open for just a year and a half, the hip, warm and welcoming Liberty Barber Co. shop already can boast two Best of Chico awards. A traditional shop offering cuts, beard trims and hot-towel straight-razor shaves, Liberty also features a complimentary beverage and a shoulder massage with each visit.
SECOND Place: Danny’s Barbershop
544 Broadway St., 332-0553
THIRD Place: Gentlemen’s Barbershop
151 Broadway, 774-2157
Bike Shop
FIRST Place: Pullins Cyclery
801 Main St., 342-1055
Pullins Cyclery opened in Chico in 1918; Steve and Katy O’Bryan took over in 1984. During their tenure, the shop has become a regular stop for locals looking get a new or restored ride or just chat up Steve, who regularly holds court on the worn, wooden floors on topics ranging from local politics to Irish music.
SECOND Place: Greenline Cycles
515 Main St., 894-7885
THIRD Place: AMain Cycling
2070 E. 20th St., 894-6075
Cab Company
FIRST Place: Taxi Dave
514-8770
It’s just Dave and his plain white cab, taxiing locals around town every day but Sunday. Now a winner two years in a row.
SECOND Place: Chico Yellow Cab
893-4444
THIRD Place: G-Ride Pedi-Cab & Trolley
354-9885
Cannabis Dispensary (within driving distance of Chico)
FIRST Place: Zente Farms
420-9001
With approved Chico dispensaries in the process of getting up and running, local patients still need to order their flowers and edibles from delivery services such as this year’s favorite, Zente Farms.
SECOND Place (tie): Organic Care of California
(916) 476-5702
SECOND Place (tie): Perfect Union
691-7199
Car Dealership
FIRST Place: Chico Nissan Hyundai
2562 Cohasset Road, 893-1777
This locally owned business started with the Nissan dealership in 1961 and added the Hyundai half 30 years ago. Many of the employees have been with the company for years, even decades, contributing to Chico Nissan Hyundai’s reputation for customer service.
SECOND Place: Courtesy Automotive Center
2520 Cohasset Road, 345-9444
THIRD Place: Chuck Patterson Toyota
200 East Ave., 895-1771
Car Wash
FIRST Place: Surf Thru Express Car Wash
Two locations: 2470 Forest Ave., 801-6479; 2573 Esplanade, 774-2363
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the arrival of the fast-growing chain of Surf in Chico. The two local locations offer quick, full-service, water-saving washes, plus self-serve vacuums and a floor-mat-washing station.
SECOND Place: Scrubbs
1020 Skyway, 893-4885
THIRD Place: California Car Wash
150 Commercial Ave., 894-3017
Consignment/Second-Hand Threads
FIRST Place: Labelz Upscale Consignment Boutique
974 Mangrove Ave., 345-1615
As the name suggests, Labelz Upscale Consignment Boutique trades in a curated selection of women’s clothing. Owner Jamie Withrow took over the shop in 2019 and has kept it stocked with seasonal/current clothing and accessories.
SECOND Place: Bootleg
126 W. Second St., 895-1426
THIRD Place: 2econd Life
641 Nord Ave., Ste. B, 466-6966
Convenience Store
FIRST Place: 7-Eleven
Multiple locations
The convenience-store chain now known as 7-Eleven started in 1927 as a little storefront of Southland Ice Company in Dallas. The 7-Eleven name didn’t come until after World War II, and the iconic Slurpee (the store’s version of the Icee drink) arrived in 1966. Today, there are more than 78,000 locations worldwide, including four stores in Chico.
SECOND Place: Power Market
Multiple locations
THIRD Place (tie): Sierra Market
1646 Park Ave., 342-4579
THIRD Place (tie): PDQ Market & Deli
156 Eaton Road, Ste. A, 345-9966
Day Spa
FIRST Place: Angels Nail & Spa
965 Nord Ave., Ste. 100-A, 487-7322
Open the door of the unassuming West Chico business on any given day, and inside the place will be packed with customers and nearly as many manicurists at work. The spa offers more than just nail services, too, with eyelash extensions, waxing and complementary glasses of wine (or soda, or water) on the menu as well.
SECOND Place: SkyLab Nails & Spa
611 Walnut St., 518-6908
THIRD Place: Urban Medspa
3221 Cohasset Road, 891-8772
Dry Cleaner
FIRST Place: 3rd Generation Cleaners
1380 East Ave., 899-0333
Full-service “wet cleaning” specialists, these cleaners do alterations, pickup and delivery. One online reviewer sums up 3rd Generation’s popularity: “I live two towns away and happily drive to use them. Very nice counter people, good customer service, prompt service, and they clean and press my clothes beautifully.”
SECOND Place: Flair Custom Cleaners
660 Mangrove Ave., 345-0522
THIRD Place: Chico Express Cleaners
Two locations: 641 Walnut St., 343-6013; 752 East Ave., 343-8844
Esthetician/Waxing Studio
FIRST Place: Silhouette Waxing Studio
1803 Mangrove Ave., 342-7131
Silhouette opened the doors of its small Mangrove Avenue studio 15 years ago; since then, owner Courtney Spangler and her staff of estheticians have offered “efficient, comfortable and affordable” eyebrow grooming, facial fuzz removal and a range of waxing options.
SECOND Place: The Eyebrow Goddess
260 E. First St., 680-2569
THIRD Place (tie): European Wax Center
728 Mangrove Ave., Ste. B, 433-4003
THIRD Place (tie): Waxed – Skin & Waxing Boutique
225 Main St., Ste. F, (415) 994-7014
THIRD Place (tie): Angel’s Nails & Spa
965 Nord Ave., Ste. 100-A, 487-7322
Feed Store/Farm Supply
FIRST Place: Northern Star Mills
510 Esplanade, 342-7661
Since 1898, Chicoans have trusted Northern Star Mills with their farming needs, especially when it comes to their animals. That’s because the store—operating at its location across from Bidwell Mansion since 1933—stocks everything from dog and cat food to poultry and cattle feed. Northern Star Mills also carries fertilizer, soil and seeds for the garden.
SECOND Place: C Bar D Feeds
3388 Hwy 32, 342-5361
THIRD Place: Wilbur’s Feed and Seed
139 Meyers St., 895-0569
Financial Planner
FIRST Place: Miste and Steve Cliadakis
Altum Wealth Advisors, 1074 East Ave., Ste. T-1, 924-0110
Miste and Steven Cliadakis’ team sets itself apart from large firms with a no-pressure approach that’s not beholden to proprietary products. They help clients achieve their individual financial goals—from retirement plans and investments to risk management and insurance—with an “objective, unbiased” advice.
SECOND Place: Renée Michel & Joe Sweeney
Sweeney & Michel, 196 Cohasset Road, Ste. 100, 487-1777
THIRD Place: Barrett O. Benson
Benson Wealth Management, 901 Bruce Road, Ste. 160, 891-0719
Florist
FIRST Place: Flowers by Rachelle
2485 Notre Dame Blvd., Ste. 260, 345-2661
This marks the 25th year that Flowers by Rachelle owner/namesake Rachelle Nyswonger-Neal has been making Chico’s weddings and other special occasions beautiful with gifts and fine floral arrangements.
SECOND Place: Christian & Johnson
1098 E. First Ave., 891-1881
THIRD Place: Chico Florist
1600 Mangrove Ave., Ste. 145
General Contractor
FIRST Place: Proframe Construction
11128 Midway, Ste. 3, 636-4574
Proframe has been building just about everything—custom homes, rebuilds, patio covers and more—since it opened for business in 2008.
SECOND Place: Slater & Son General Contractor
3753 Morehead Ave., 893-3333
THIRD Place: Holt Construction
37 Bellermine Court, 899-1011
Gift Shop
FIRST Place: Hubbs & Co.
956 Mangrove Ave., 892-4940
The eclectic, ever-changing selection of not just gifts, but stationary, women’s fashion and home goods as well, has many customers calling Hubbs their “happy place.” Find everything from scented candles and garden flags to purses and gourmet foods.
SECOND Place: Little Red Hen
897 E. 20th St., Ste. B, 897-0100
THIRD Place: Made in Chico
127 W. Third St., 894-7009
Grocer
FIRST Place: S&S Organic Produce
& Natural Foods
1924 Mangrove Ave., 343-4930
The one-time roadside produce stand is now an established full-service grocery—with an impressive selection of organic produce plus breads, wines, herbal supplements and a butcher shop.
SECOND Place: Trader Joe’s
801 East Ave., Ste. 100, 343-9920
THIRD Place: Chico Natural Foods Co-Op
818 Main St., 891-1713
Hair Salon
FIRST Place: Da Capo Style House
1925 Market Place, 715-7183
This popular salon in the Meriam Park neighborhood offers cuts, styling, coloring and extensions in a beautiful space.
SECOND Place: Society Style Lounge
627 Broadway, Ste. 120, 487-7066
THIRD Place: The Hair Co.
1229 E. Ninth St., 894-2002
House Cleaning Service
FIRST Place: C&A Cleaning
514-7738
Established in 2008, C&A Cleaning offers residential and office cleaning services (including window washing!) using “environmentally friendly products, equipment and systems.”
SECOND Place: Deb’s Detailed Cleaning
570-3561
THIRD Place: Cleaned to Perfection
520-6465
House Painter
FIRST Place: Hawkes Painting
521-5237
John Hawkes’ work must speak for itself: Beyond a sign on the side of his truck, he doesn’t go out of his way to promote his business, yet he’s made an impression on customers who’ve voted him Chico’s best for the second year in a row.
SECOND Place: SM Painting
321-1592
THIRD Place: Joe Shaw Painting
891-5563
Insurance Agent
FIRST Place: Heritage Insurance Agency
290 Airpark Blvd., 894-3276
Heritage Insurance has operated as an independent agency since 1978. Steve and Kelly Mora head a team with expertise spanning agribusiness, commercial accounts, personal insurance, employee benefits and workers’ compensation.
SECOND Place: Eddy Rodriguez (State Farm)
45 Jan Court, Ste. 165, 899-0100
THIRD Place: Joni Ginno (State Farm)
1915 Esplanade, 891-5881
Jeweler
FIRST Place: Kirk’s Jewelry
246 W. Third St., 891-0880
Jeweler/metalsmith Kirk Bengtson opened shop in downtown Chico in 1973 in a small second-story space. He soon expanded, moving down Third Street to a corner store at Salem, where Kirk’s Jewelry became a fixture—acclaimed especially for custom-made engagement and wedding rings. Dazzling earring, pendants and rings make the cases like a museum display.
SECOND Place: Julianne’s
1925 Market Place, Ste. 120, 342-3117
THIRD Place: Olde Gold Estate Jewelry
225 Main St., Ste. O, 891-4610
Landscaper
FIRST Place: Vega Landscape & Irrigation
514-3972
Got a swimming pool that’s too demanding to keep up? Isaias Vega and crew can convert it to a garden with water feature. Vega Landscape & Irrigation also can update a current yard, start from scratch with a fresh concept and replace irrigation with water-conserving sprinklers.
SECOND Place: Dawson Landscaping
343-0384
THIRD Place: Hanson & Hanson
343-9906
Liquor Store
FIRST Place: Spike’s Bottle Shop
1270 E. First Ave., 893-8410
Spike’s owner Kevin Jaradah is committed to keeping his shelves stocked with interesting finds—from hard-to-find craft beers, ciders and whiskeys to the trendy libations such as premium canned cocktails—and Spike the shop dog is committed to keeping watch … unless he’s napping.
SECOND Place: Star Liquor
933 Nord Ave., 891-4842
THIRD Place: Mangrove Bottle Shop
1350 Mangrove Ave., Ste. 160, 342-7575
Local Pet Store
FIRST Place: TrailBlazer Pet Supply
752 Mangrove Ave. & 1352 East Ave., 892-1848
At TrailBlazer, pets are the stars of the show, with grooming services and workshops focused on caring for and better understanding fur babies. Plus, the shelves at its two locations are stocked with a wide selection of foods, treats, toys and pet-care products.
SECOND Place: Chico Pet Works & Pet Salon
2201 Pillsbury Road, Ste. 186, 345-0934
THIRD Place: Northern Star Mills
510 Esplanade, 342-7661
Men’s Clothier
FIRST Place: 2econd Life
641 Nord Ave., Ste. B, 466-6966
How dope can you really be if your wardrobe doesn’t include some vintage basketball shoes and a pair of Bape glow-in-the-dark shark shorts? Follow
@we_the_best_thrift on Instagram to stay up on the latest finds.
SECOND Place: Upper Park Clothing
122 W. Third St., 487-7118
THIRD Place: Men’s Wearhouse
1950 E. 20th St., Ste. 501, 342-1769
Motorcycle Dealer
FIRST Place: Sierra Steel Harley-Davidson
1501 Mangrove Ave., 893-1918
The lot at Sierra Steel Harley-Davidson on Mangrove Avenue is the unofficial gathering spot for Chico’s motorcycling enthusiasts, and the attached shop is the official home of the king of American road bikes.
SECOND Place: Ozzie’s BMW Center
2438 Cohasset Road, 345-4462
THIRD Place: Chico Motorsports
1538 Park Ave., 345-5247
New Business (non-food service)
FIRST Place: SkyLab Nails & Spa
611 Walnut St., 518-6908
Did Chico need another nail salon? There are a lot of hands here, so why not?!? SkyLab’s online reviews suggest that the year-old shop is already making its mark, with one online commentator saying, “[I] love the bright, clean and friendly atmosphere. All work done professionally and to perfection. So happy to have found my favorite nail place.”
SECOND Place: Love Skate Shop
1380 East Ave., Ste. 100, 809-0689
THIRD Place: Magnolia Downtown
830 Broadway, 809-4196
Nursery
FIRST Place: The Plant Barn & Gifts
406 Entler Ave., 345-3121
Open since 1980, the Plant Barn is the longest-running nursery in Chico. Denise Kelly and Rolf Weidhofer have owned it since 2006 and have expanded the operation into a veritable nursery theme park, with sprawling grounds of vegetable starts; plants and trees of all types; and a wide range of garden art and other plant-related gifts and supplies.
SECOND Place: Magnolia Gift & Garden Center
1367 East Ave., 894-5410
THIRD Place: Little Red Hen Nursery
189 E. 8th St., 891-9100
Outdoor Living (patios, pools, etc.)
FIRST Place: Patio Pros
11128 Midway, Ste. 3, 924-6400
The folks at Patio Pros build everything from pergolas to sun rooms to help Chicoans make the outside of their home as comfortable as the inside.
SECOND Place (tie): Lowes
2350 Forest Ave., 895-5130
SECOND Place (tie): Perfection Pools & Spa
172 E. 20th St., 895-0437
Pet Groomer
FIRST Place: Carol’s Dog Grooming
975 East Ave., Ste. 160, 343-1554
Sixty years of grooming Chico’s pooches?!? Some locals have been customers of Carol’s Dog Grooming for their whole lives—and for multiple pets’ lives. That kind of loyalty is earned with decades of skill, patience and love for the dogs of Chico.
SECOND Place: Mutt Cuts
2991 Esplanade, Ste. 130, 592-3156
THIRD Place: Coature Pet Spa
1411 Mangrove Ave., 899-8433
Piercing Studio
FIRST Place: Red Room Tattoo
231 Nord Ave., 342-1287
Septum? Belly button? Whatever body part body is getting outfitted, Red Room’s well-trained piercers have it covered with experience and quality hardware. The studio advertises that all its jewelry is ethically sourced, and made of implant-grade titanium and solid gold.
SECOND Place: Eye of Jade
1238 Mangrove Ave., 343-5233
THIRD Place: Pure Gold Studio
250 Vallombrosa Ave., Ste. 560, 804-2722
Place For A Mani/Pedi
FIRST Place: Angels Nails & Spa
965 Nord Ave., Ste. 100-A, 487-7322
See Best Day Spa.
SECOND Place: SkyLab Nails & Spa
611 Walnut St., 518-6908
THIRD Place: Lily’s Nails & Spa
208 W. East Ave., Ste. E, 898-8765
Place For Electronics/Computer Repair
FIRST Place: Chico Computer Clinic
1450 Mangrove Ave., Ste. 140, 636-1337
The “on-call nerds” of Chico Computer Clinic specialize in computer repair, cleaning and upgrade installation. The work is done fast, too, with average turnaround being less than 24 hours.
SECOND Place: Best Buy
2005 Forest Ave., 566-1012
THIRD Place: PCI Computer Services
225 Main St., 891-4152
Place To Buy Books
FIRST Place: The Bookstore
118 Main St., 345-7441
The wood-floored, overfilled Bookstore is warm, inviting and a foundational part of what it means to many to be a Chicoan. There’s a wide range of used and new books, with impressive selections of children’s books, cookbooks, history, gardening, religious, art books and classic literature. The Bookstore is a Chico institution.
SECOND Place: Barnes & Noble
2031 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, 894-1494
THIRD Place: ABC Books
950 Mangrove Ave., 893-4342
Place To Buy Home Furnishings
FIRST Place: Esplanade Furniture
1750 Esplanade, 891-4788
Owner Dan Moser opened Esplanade Furniture 40 years ago and specialized in building a lot of the unfinished-wood items sold at the store. The shop no longer cranks out its own custom pieces but instead showcases a variety of American-made unfinished wood pieces, including bedroom furniture, dining tables, cabinets and more.
SECOND Place: Finds Design & Decor
1341 Mangrove Ave., 892-1905
THIRD Place: Nantucket Design & Home
603 Broadway St., 895-1038
Place To Buy Outdoor Gear
FIRST Place: Mountain Sports
176 E. Third St., 345-5011
Chico is perfectly situated for outdoor adventures. The Sierra Nevada mountains, Cascade range and Bidwell Park are all in our back yard, and Mountain Sports is here to outfit local outdoor enthusiasts with clothing, footwear, equipment and accessories for whatever adventure awaits along the trails.
SECOND Place: Chico Sports Ltd.
698 Mangrove Ave., 894-1110
THIRD Place: Sportsman’s Warehouse
765 East Ave., Ste. 170, 897-0500
Plumber
FIRST Place: Earl’s Performance Plumbing
2264 Park Ave., 343-0330
Earl’s Performance Plumbing techs arrive in fully stocked vans, answering calls 24/7 to fix everything from water and sewer lines to pumps and water heaters. For more than two decades, Earl’s has kept Chico’s pipes in order.
SECOND Place: Accurate Plumbing
2288 Park Ave., Ste. A, 894-1800
THIRD Place: Able Plumbing
551 Country Drive, Ste. 150, 899-9009
Professional Photographer
FIRST Place: Erin Lackey Photography
370-3597
Erin Lackey specializes in taking special memories out of the digital realm by making custom-designed portraits to hang on a wall. She says she is “ready to give you a fully-catered boutique experience that gives you unique art pieces of the people you love the most in this world.”
SECOND Place: Ashley Carlascio
hello@ashleycarlascio.com
THIRD Place: Park Avenue Photography
521-4340
Property Management
FIRST Place: Madsen Properties
2607 Forest Ave., 570-6192
Alicia Madsen is licensed real estate broker whose Madsen Properties oversees the management of a variety of single-family homes, apartments, townhouses and duplexes in Butte County.
SECOND Place: The Hignell Companies
1750 Humboldt Road, 576-5376
THIRD Place: Blue Oak Property Management
2889 Cohasset Road, Ste. 5, 636-2627
Real Estate Agent
FIRST Place: Sabrina Chevallier (RE/MAX)
1834 Mangrove Ave., 718-9115
RE/Max agent Sabrina Chevallier is perennially voted the Best Realtor in Chico. What puts the born-and-raised Chicoan over the top is her personable, friendly communication style as she stays in frequent contact while going above and beyond for her clients.
SECOND Place: Danielle Branham (Century 21)
1101 El Monte Ave., 570-8402
THIRD Place: Kelsey Wakefield (RE/MAX)
1834 Mangrove Ave., 518-6609
Reptile Store
FIRST Place: Nor Cal Reptile Adventures
43 Dacy Ave., 228-5011
In addition to selling reptiles and reptile supplies, Nor Cal Reptile Adventures owners Kenni and David Huff also sell, well, adventures. Locals can hire them out to bring lizards, snakes and a gigantic turtle to birthday parties, school and other special events.
SECOND Place: Chico Pet Works
& Pet Salon
2201 Pillsbury Road, Ste. 186, 345-0934
THIRD Place: Killer Clutches
44 Rock Creek Road, (310) 993-5459
Roofer
FIRST Place (tie): Baird Roofing
11025 Midway, 342-1631
Owner Michael Baird’s company covers residential homes and commercial buildings, doing everything from attic ventilation and skylights to new roofs in a variety of materials.
FIRST Place (tie): Powell
& Sons Roofing
43 Norfield Ave., Ste. 4, 892-1410
From patching the smallest leak to a full roof construction, Powell & Sons Roofing provides both residential and commercial service.
THIRD Place: Chico Roofing Co.
3030 Thorntree Drive, Ste. 2, 892-9071
RV Rentals
FIRST Place: Happy Campers RV Rentals
329 Southgate Ave., 321-8180
Like many RVers, Matt Dunckel and his family started their adventures in nature as tent campers. However, after experiencing the ease of execution in hitching up a camp trailer and just heading out, he started Happy Camper RV Rentals, offering hitch trailers of all sizes as well as small-scale motorhomes for rent.
SECOND Place (tie): R&M Trailer Rentals
895-1794
SECOND Place (tie): Mike Friend RVs
2933 Esplanade, 343-0245
Shoe Store
FIRST Place: Heel & Sole Shoes
708 Mangrove Ave., 899-0725
Funky boots, swanky high heels, easy-breezy flip-flops and classic canvas sneakers—Heel & Sole is packed to the ceiling, literally, with seemingly endless boxes of every style of footwear.
SECOND Place: 2econd Life
641 Nord Ave., Ste. B, 466-6966
THIRD Place: Fleet Feet
241 Main St., 345-1000
Solar Company
FIRST Place: Alternative Energy Systems
13620 Hwy 99, 345-6980
This locally owned business brings the resources, materials and manpower of a national company to the projects for solar systems and battery storage that keep local residential and commercial properties in power.
SECOND Place: Urban Design Solar
4742 Skyway, 809-1079
THIRD Place: Royal Aire Heating, Air Conditioning & Solar
2530 Zanella Way, 899-9999
Sporting Goods
FIRST Place: Chico Sports Ltd.
698 Mangrove Ave., 894-1110
For 37 years, this locally owned institution has offered a warehouse-sized selection of essentials for camping, hiking, cycling, backpacking, running, yoga, swimming, snowboarding, disc golf and more.
SECOND Place: Dick’s Sporting Goods
1922 E. 20th St., 343-3351
THIRD Place: Big 5 Sporting Goods
1717 Mangrove Ave., Ste. C, 891-1545
Tattoo Parlor
FIRST Place: Tanner Drake
Tattoo Studio
250 Vallombrosa Ave., Ste. 560, 965-5842
There are so many Chico tattoo studios with talented artists that receive votes from loyal customers for Best of Chico. This year, rising to the top of the pack is the Tanner Drake Tattoo Studio. One of many positive reviews: “I recently got a tattoo from Tanner and had an amazing experience! He is very professional, made me feel super comfortable in the shop, and was fast, precise and just an overall talented artist!”
SECOND Place (tie): Eye of Jade
1238 Mangrove Ave., 343-5233
SECOND Place (tie): Red Room Tattoo
231 Nord Ave., 342-1287
Thrift Store
FIRST Place: Arc Store
2020 Park Ave., 343-3666
The huge Arc Store is packed with a well-organized, clean selection of clothing, jewelry, toys, weird nick-nacks, furniture and sweaters (ugly and not) for your holiday parties. Bonus: All proceeds fund a good cause—services for developmentally disabled people.
SECOND Place: Goodwill
765 East Ave., Ste. 100, 893-8578
THIRD Place: Thrifty Bargain
2432 Esplanade, 774-2158
Tree Service
FIRST Place: Tree of Eden
513-6574
Joshua Guy worked as a wildland firefighter for years before starting Tree of Eden Tree Services, where he specializes in limbing, trimming, removals, fire-fuel breaks, lot clearing and general tree maintenance.
SECOND Place (tie): North Valley Tree Service
893-9649
SECOND Place (tie): About Trees
343-4533
Wedding/Event Planner
FIRST Place: North State Events
801-1275
Owner Ashley Smith’s North State Events will take care of just about any special occasion: weddings, of course, but also bridal showers, corporate parties, reunions and any other celebrations. “Tell me what your vision is, and I’ll make it a reality,” she says. “I will take care of even the tiniest elements, so you can enjoy your event as much as your guests.”
SECOND Place: CES Weddings & Events
592-0728
THIRD Place: The 530 Bride
988-8344
Window Treatments
FIRST Place: Budget Blinds
2525 Dominic Drive, Ste. C, 343-3400
Local owners Tim and Kim Long have been consulting on and installing window treatments in Butte County and beyond for 15-plus years, and they pride themselves on detail-oriented customer service.
SECOND Place: Nantucket Design & Home
603 Broadway St., 895-1038
THIRD Place: Miller Glass
745 Cherry St., 343-7934
Women’s Clothier
FIRST Place: The Outlet
232 Broadway, 999-2254
The Lulus website (lulus.com) is one of this area’s local-business success stories, selling women’s clothing all over the world. In Chico, we’re especially spoiled by getting a brick-and-mortar discount brand-name outlet to visit in real life, where the prices range from $4 to $40.
SECOND Place: For Elyse
228 Broadway, 893-0106
THIRD Place: 5th Street Clothing Co.
328 Broadway St., 345-5754
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