Henri Goes Thrifting

Making kitchenware finds while supporting local businesses

By Henri Bourride

“Back in the day, stuff was made to last,” a 60-something man in an aloha shirt in line at Chico’s Goodwill thrift store told Henri the other day. He held up one of a set of Pyrex teacups he was buying. “Plus, it takes me back to when I was a kid and my mom had this stuff.” Colette held up her ceramic $35 Chantal Lotus coffee cone and showed him the $2 price tag. He gave her a thumbs-up.

Henri was devastated to learn that his favorite Chico kitchen-supply store had shut its doors.

Pour toujours!

Forever!

Now what?

Where was he to shop? For measuring cups? Runcible spoons? Muffin pans? Bamboo skewers? Garlic slicers?!

Collier Hardware and Kitchen Supply. A Chico landmark: 1871-2025. Rest in paix.

Thankfully, Henri is a resourceful homme and within weeks was compiling a list of other places to shop for kitchenware, especially cookware—at the same time trying to avoid the siren calls of online sites and big-box stores.

Convenient and less expensive, naturellement, but the death knell to maman et papa stores.

Mon pere, Etienne Bourride, instilled in me not only a love of cooking and respect for quality cookware but a desire to make le monde a better place. He was always the first to sign up to ring the Salvation Army bell on street corners at Christmastime. The first to sign up to work at soup kitchens. The first to write a check for any charity that came knocking. Also: one to insist on shopping locally whenever possible.

Coincidentally, I’d recently run across a couple of online articles about a new trend: “thrifting.” Though obviously shopping at thrift stores is nothing new, apparently it’s a “thing” now among everyone from Tik Tok-ers to baby boomers, who admit to looking for items from their youth. One of the articles talked about the increasing popularity of thrifting for kitchenware, specifically Pyrex, glassware first introduced by Corning in 1915.

So, Henri was on a mission: To keep his shopping local, to support local and non-local charities, and at the same time try to stick (pun désigné) to quality cookware.

The timing was parfait! My sweet sister, Collette, was visiting and loved driving Liza, my little green Prius, anyway.

Keeping it Local

The Galley is an exceptional locally owned kitchen-supply store, always worth a visit. In addition to offering a wide range of quality cookware, glassware, and various kitchen gadgets, the Galley also offers cooking demonstrations (and has a huge display case of local and imported cheeses, including a “cheese of the month”). The Galley is located at 551 Country Drive. Phone (530) 343-8820.

Chico’s Little Red Hen stores are especially near and dear to Henri’s coeur. The non-profit’s five speciality stores’ collective mission—to serve children and adults with developmental disabilities—is reason enough to shop there. It’s especially moving to see them working in the stores. The Little Red Hen Home Store carries higher-end kitchenware, including nostalgia items and lots of wine and cocktail supplies. “We’re trying to keep as true as possible to the old Zucchini and Vine,” a clerk told me, referring to the iconic Chico landmark that was at that Second and Main location for 42 years, finally closing its doors in 2019. The store is located 204 Main Street. (530) 487-7144.

The Little Red Hen Kitchen Store is focused more on useful kitchen tools and cookware, with everything you’d need to stock a kitchenette or a restaurant. There’s also a kids’ section, with cookbooks and kitchenware for future chefs. It’s located at 959 East Avenue. Phone (530) 894-1300.

Thrifting

Colette was insistent that we start our thrift-store road trip at Habitat for Humanity’s Restore, and I couldn’t have agreed more. Longtime supporters of Habitat, we both love knowing that proceeds go to help build safe and affordable homes for deserving, hardworking families, here in Chico and around the world. Walking in, we were overwhelmed by the range of items for sale—donated by individuals as well as local contractors—both used and brand new, everything from light bulbs to range tops to chests of drawers, and though they had some kitchenware, the selection was a bit thin on this particular visit. Colette did find a nearly new eight-cup Mr. Coffee coffee maker for $10.00. The Restore is located at 220 Myers Street. Phone (530) 895-1271.

From there we headed down Park Ave. to the Arc of Butte County , a non-profit established to provide work experience for “individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” There we found a good selection of kitchenware—three shelves of pots and pans—and lots of glassware. Note: Be sure to check out the back room (a sign above the door says “More”), where you’ll find an unorganized hodgepodge of items that are priced but haven’t found their way onto the main floor. We noticed two new Crock-Pots and an air fryer. The Arc thrift store is located at 2930 Park Avenue. Phone (530) 891-5856.

Next on the list: Pawprints Thrift Boutique, where all profits go toward assisting pet owners to pay to spay and neuter their animals. Henri, dog-lover that he is, had hoped to find something kitcheny and to contribute to the cause, but the selection was rather limited. Thankfully, a room off to the side had a rack of men’s shirts, and I found a blue J. Crew polo for $5. Maybe my little contribution would be enough for a pet treat after surgery. Find them at 1360 E 1st Avenue. Phone: (530) 892-2687

From there we drove across town to Thrifty Bargain, a huge warehouse on Esplanade regularly offering sales of up to 75% off their merchandise. One long wall is dedicated entirely to kitchenware—much of it new—with shelves piled high with pots and pans (and lids), as well as coffee makers, egg cookers. and utensils. Probably the largest selection of glassware in town. And: a major score for Henri! A brand-new Bath Wine Holder still in the box! For $.99! “Attach it the side of your bathtub or shower wall, and sip while you soak.” Thrifty Bargain is located at 2432 Esplanade. Phone (530) 774-2427.

From there it was just a short hop over to Goodwill, which probably has the largest selection of thrift-store kitchenware in town—new and used. The day we stopped in it was packed (see “trend” above)—lots of high school-age Tik-Tok girls shopping for vintage dresses and tops, families shopping for affordable necessities, and baby boomers, living in the past. The Goodwill thrift store is located at 765 East Avenue. Phone (530) 893-8578.

Colette was thrilled to test drive her Chantal coffee cone the next morning. Perfect for her favorite local coffee, Bidwell Perk’s North Beach Italian roast.

More Kitchenware Shopping

Salvation Army has two Chico stores: Family Store at 99 E. Park Avenue. Phone (530) 715-2554; Elite Repeat at 700 Broadway. Phone (530) 342-2192.

Eighth & Main Marketplace (aka Antique Center). 745 Main Street. Phone (530) 893-5534.

Lost & Found Thrift Shop. 160 Cohasset Rd., Ste. 7. Phone (530) 809-4192.

Discovery Shoppe, non-profit supporting various local causes. 315 Flume Street. Phone (530) 343-1326.

The Shop-American Cancer Society, non-profit with stores throughout California. 2201 Pillsbury Rd., St. 182. Phone (530) 343-6178.

Finally, though not local, the HomeGoods store in the Chico Marketplace (nee Chico Mall) is worth a visit. The chain, with nearly 1,000 locations in the U.S., sells a mind-boggling array of household items, their shelves piled high with bedding, lamps, kitchenware, and novelty and holiday items. 962 E. 20th Street. Phone (530) 893-8770.