All of a sudden, Chico’s Meriam Park neighborhood has a lot of options for satisfying cravings. Since last summer, Farmers Brewing Co., Savor Ice Cream and Chico’s first cannabis dispensary, Sweet Flower, have joined the established caffeine hook-up (Daycamp Coffee), elevated comfort food destination (Burban Kitchen) and juice bar (Live Life Juice Co.’s second location).
Soon, a new sushi place (Namasake Sushi) and hip cocktail spot (Roselle Bar & Lounge) will join them in Meriam Park’s “Tank District”.
It has taken many years to get to this point, but Meriam Park is starting to feel like a bustling community. The first plans for developing the east Chico neighborhood were approved by the City Council back in 2007, but were delayed once the Great Recession hit. A new master plan was launched in 2016 by a new partnership between developer Dan Gonzales, founder of Fifth Sun apparel company, and property owner Ken Grossman, founder/owner of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
The 2018 Camp Fire and the COVID-19 pandemic caused further setbacks, but Meriam Park is starting to approach the form imagined in the architectural renderings—a modern industrial style that’s distinct from Chico’s classic look, yet fitting for its peripheral location—and Gonzales’ vision of “creating a sense of place and connection.”
For this year’s Entrepreneurs Issue, we highlight four food/drink-service businesses that have chosen to set up shop in Meriam Park and bring some energy to the homes and office buildings already there.
In this issue:
“Cafe life“
Before the current rush of new businesses, Daycamp Coffee set the scene in Meriam Park
“‘Farm to glass‘”
Grown and brewed in Glenn County, Farmers Brewing Co. opens Chico tap house
“Ice cream dreams“
Savor invites patrons to slow down and enjoy artisan frozen treats
“Building a ‘destination spot‘”
Local duo prepares to open new bar and lounge in Meriam Park
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