Three Sixty Ecotique is full of surprises. Good ones too. The first time I ever visited the store, I didn’t know much about it. I had heard that it was a used clothing store with a sort of eco-friendly bent. That’s about all I knew. But when I walked in for the first time, I was blown away by how beautiful the place was. It looks like a boutique you’d find in downtown San Francisco or LA, not in downtown Chico.
My first impression was that I wouldn’t be able to afford anything in the store, but as I started browsing around, I was pleasantly surprised by the price tags on the items on the racks too. I mean, we’re talking really great, handpicked used and vintage clothes and accessories, as well as some one-of-a-kind, hand-made, locally designed stuff. You won’t find any Target, Old Navy or Forever 21 brands here, and there is new stuff out every week. Three Sixty carries about 10 different local designers who make everything from durable messenger bags out of recycled bike tires and fire hose, to gorgeous, one-of-a-kind tops and dresses hand-made out of vintage lingerie and costume jewelry. This is really unique, awesome stuff that you just won’t find anywhere else. And great stuff for guys too. I didn’t go there to shop my first time, and I’m sort of glad, because it would have been one of those dressing room marathons with arm-loads of cute stuff to try on. Of course, I couldn’t get away without buying something – an adorable little black dress, for $18. Yes, that’s right, $18, and it looks like new.
I had a chance to catch up with the ladies behind Three Sixty, Lorna Hillman and Crystena Hemingway. The two of them serendipitously found each other when their sons became friends. They had an instant bond. Apparently Lorna had an idea for a store with all recycled items and local designers, and she had been collecting clothes for quite some time. She had a feeling Crystena would be into the idea, and as it turned out, Crystena had created a business plan for exactly this kind of store about seven years prior.
“When she first presented the idea to me, I thought she was just talking, you know, the way people do,” Crystena said. But one thing led to another, and they got started by doing a trunk sale at Crystena’s house to raise some money to lease a store front. “We started from the ground, from nothing,” Lorna told me. But after a lot of hard work, the store opened in March of 2009.
There’s an obvious commitment to environmental stewardship at Three Sixty Ecotique, as the name implies. But it goes farther than you might notice on the surface. When asked what motivated them or inspired them to care so much about the environment, Lorna said, “It just makes sense. I can’t imagine being any other way.” Crystena told me, “And having kids, you just want the best for them. You want them to be educated and empathetic to the world around them, so it helps you make decisions that way.” Lorna added, “And you want the world to be clean for them.”
The fact that they only sell recycled or used items is just one piece of the eco-puzzle at Three Sixty. It’s not your typical used clothing store. In fact, it’s really a new way of thinking about fashion. You can walk out of the store feeling just as up-to-date and in-style as if you walked out of any other boutique in Chico, or anywhere else for that matter. But the difference is, here you are giving new life to old items, reducing waste and using your power as a consumer wisely and consciously. Let’s just say it’s a way to do the right thing, without having to compromise your sense of style.
Some of the less obvious eco-friendly things at Three Sixty include the store’s interior, which was redone with all recycled construction materials. Also, you won’t be offered a bag to carry off your loot. Instead, your new-to-you goodies will be folded lovingly and tied up with yarn, ribbon, or lace. And if you ride your bike to the store, you will be given a Bike Buck with your purchase, which is good for $1 off your next purchase, and you can save them up.
Three Sixty is making a name for itself here in Chico as much more than just another store; they are an active part of our local community. They hold fashion shows a few times a year to showcase local designers and artists, and they support numerous local nonprofits. They even host the occasional clothing exchange or clothing swap, in which anyone from the community can bring in their clothes over a 4 day period, and in exchange they get a ticket for each item that is accepted for the exchange. The following week, Three Sixty puts the exchange items out on racks in the middle of the store, and people can come in and “shop” with their tickets. Any of the leftover items get donated to a local nonprofit.
Three Sixty Ecotique is the real deal. I was very impressed with the commitment Lorna and Crystena have to both top quality fashion as well as to the health of our local community and our planet. If you haven’t been in there yet, I strongly encourage you to check it out and satisfy your sense of style without compromising your conscience.
Three Sixty Ecotique is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10a.m.–6p.m., and Sunday from 12p.m.–5p.m. Parking is available in the Senator Theatre parking lot. You can find Three Sixty Ecotique on Facebook or on MySpace.

Featured Designers at Three Sixty Ecotique:
- Social Form
- Parasol Project
- Abigail’s Clothing
- Zeeko Bags
- Claire Fong
- Corderoy Horse
- Elaina Michelle Designs
- Mindful
- Rekindled
- Sara Rose
- Muir Hughes

By: Crystal Durham

Wal=Mart of Chico

Word about the Chico Wal-Mart Supercenter has spread throughout the town for over five years, but on July 16 the city’s planning commission and city council will once again consider whether or not to expand the Wal-Mart that has been part of Chico for the last 15 years.

The Chico Economic Planning Corporation (CEPCO) strongly supports the proposed expansion and is encouraging the city to advance approval of this project.

“In today’s economy, where businesses in our community and throughout the country are struggling and unemployment rates have reached a staggering high, we feel compelled to support a project that will stimulate the local economy,” said Frank Marinello, chairman of the board, CEPCO.

CEPCO’s primary goal is to create new jobs and wealth for the Chico community by aiding in the retention and expansion of existing businesses. They have become very involved in the expansion and are spreading their thoughts through attending hearings and sharing positive studies with locals. Marinello also wrote a letter to Mayor Schwab and Chico City Council in support of the project.

“The expansion will create a net increase in new jobs for the area, which is very important to our goals,” Marinello said.

Wal-Mart has plans to create over 150 new jobs, with an average hourly wage of $12.45 per hour and health care benefits for as low as $8 a month.

Plus, the project will generate numerous short-term jobs for construction workers and local suppliers, he said.

Supporters also state that the expansion of Wal-Mart will stimulate the local economy with increased sales tax revenue, will help new businesses grow and will create freedom for local shoppers.

“We believe people should have the freedom to shop where they want,” Marinello said. “Having low-cost options gives them some additional discretionary income to spend on other goods and services in the community.”

For some this seems like a great plan considering that the unemployment rate in Butte County is above 12 percent and the local economy is sinking, but many still disagree.

Nina Widlund lives in a neighboring home and is concerned about how a Supercenter may effect nearby residents.

“Traffic on this side of town is already bad enough and I think the expansion would make it at least twice as worse,” Widlund said. “I live right across the street from Wal-Mart so that’s a real issue for me getting in and out of here all the time.”

Widlund has also had trouble with people residing in the Wal-Mart parking lot and has worked for years to try and get campers removed. The Supercenter may cause even more visitors, which could increase the amount of people staying in that area.

“Being a neighbor of Wal-Mart, I’m not impressed,” she said. “Their business practices and their neighborhood practices are just not good for our community.”

Heather Schlaff, coordinator of Chico Advocates for a Responsible Economy (C.A.R.E), has been working to prevent the expansion of Wal-Mart since 2002, when the idea first got started.

“Expanding into a Supercenter would be adding a discount grocer to the existing Wal-Mart,” Schlaff said. “We don’t need a forth discount grocer in Chico all within a one mile radius.”

Costco, WinCo and Food Maxx are among the grocery stores located close to where the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter would be.

Having this Supercenter would most likely close at least one of these stores, Schlaff said.

This in turn would reduce both consumer choice and the number of well paying jobs that support a strong middle class and promote a viable local economy.

“They’re not providing something new and different, something that we don’t have,” Schlaff said. “You’re just going to add more traffic and pollution and so on and so forth and it just isn’t necessary.”

Although supporters argue that this expansion would cause increases in local taxable sales, Schlaff disagrees. Groceries don’t increase tax revenue because they are not taxable items, she said.

The supporting and opposing community members seem to have trouble finding a common ground when discussing the expansion of the Chico Wal-Mart.

“I don’t see any pro side or upside to adding a discount grocery,” Schlaff said. “We’re not opposed to Wal-Mart, Wal-Mart’s here and as it exists that’s fine.”

Soon this issue will be back in the hands of the planning commission and the city council and they will be the ones who have the final say as to whether to keep Wal-Mart as it is or expand its space.

By Kayla Cook

By Kayla Cook

For shoppers who like to buy local it can be difficult to find a one-stop shopping spot where you can get everything you need, but Made in Chico makes it easy.
Walking into Made in Chico, a welcoming scent of fresh soap fills the room with a hint of chocolate cake from Mim’s Bakery. Colorful Klean Kanteens and Chico Bags are available, as well as baby clothes, purses, cards, books and gift baskets. Food and beverages from local farms and businesses ranging from nuts to jam to sparkling juice can be found and one-of-a-kind art, woodwork, photography, paintings and jewelry is sprinkled throughout the shelves.
“It’s the greatest combination of things,” said Katherine Dietz, manager of Made in Chico. “We support locals by having their work here and the customers support them by buying their things.”
Jacki Headley opened Made in Chico in 1982 so that she would have a place to sell her product, Woof & Poof, locally. She wanted everything in the store to be made in Chico, in order to support community members who were trying to get their products out to the public.
“The fact that we’re supporting so many local people that use this as either their income or part of their income is kind of amazing,” Dietz said.
Recently, Made in Chico moved to a new location at 127 W. 3rd Street in Downtown Chico. They were starting to outgrow their space and when previous occupant Nantucket moved, it was the perfect opportunity to have a fresh place to operate. On May 30, the store had their grand opening with featured artist Tatiana Allen, music and food and beverage samples, such as juice from R.W. Knudsen and cake from Mim’s Bakery.
Mim’s Bakery is one of their newest additions to the store. Mim’s makes fresh cakes and desserts from scratch for weddings or special occasions. The store is located on Humboldt Avenue, which is out of the way for many customers, so having a secondary place to sell baked goods and take orders will be a treat for the bakery as well as the customers.
The store supports over 200 sellers in the community and they are always looking for innovative products, Dietz said.
“There are a lot of people out there who are talented and making things but aren’t selling them,” she said. “We encourage people to check out the store and to come sell their creations.”
Another way Made in Chico supports the community is with their Chico corner, which has a large chalkboard where customers can let people know about events taking place or just write down something special. The corner will be updated weekly so community members will know just where to go to stay informed of Chico entertainment.
Made in Chico has become a gem in the community. It’s a place where locals know they will always find exactly what they need, whether it’s a special gift or a decoration for their home.
The owner is passionate about her store and so are the people who sell their things, Dietz said. This enthusiasm creates a vibe that makes people excited to shop at Made in Chico.
“I shopped at Made in Chico for years before I worked here,” Dietz said. “It’s the best place to buy a baby present or a wedding present and the great part is you’re supporting shopping local.”
Made in Chico has modeled the importance of shopping local for the last 26 years and will continue to do so with the support of the community at the heart of its success.