SOPO Merchants (South Of Post Office)

SOPO: South Of Post Office

Here’s a tip: don’t overlook SOPO:  Downtown Chico’s emerging downtown district South Of Post Office. 

Nestled in with auto shops, office buildings and hotels, you’ll find some of downtown’s best eats, shops and experiences.  Take in a show, sign up for a cooking class, hear a local author read their work, eat a damn good sandwich & finish it off with some homemade ice cream – it’s all SOPO. 

Don’t know where to start?  Use this list of recommendations as a guide for your SOPO itinerary: 

EAT & DRINK:

French toast and a pot of French Press coffee at Café Coda

Tacos at La Cocina Economica

Dinner at Sicilian Café

A Brown Cow (a blended root beer float) at Shubert’s

A sandwich special of the day at Bustolini’s Café  

Calamari at Leon’s Bistro

A lemon croissant & café latte at Tin Roof Bakery & Café

Cheese Enchiladas at Amigos de Acapulco

A bacon, brie and basil sandwich at Café Flo

A refreshing Italian Soda at Has Beans Café

Late night eats at Jack’s Family Restaurant

SEE: 

Live music at Café Flo, Café Coda, Bustolini’s and the Senator Theatre

A  Friday Night Concert in the downtown plaza & cool off in the plaza fountain

Art at the Junction, All Fired Up, 1078 Gallery and Earthen Iron

Late night baking through the viewing window at Tin Roof Bakery

LOOK FOR:

A guided tour of the Stansbury Home

The historic sign at the Thunderbird Quality Inn Lodge

The restored art-deco tower of the Senator Theater building on 5^th and Main

Local legend Steve O’Brian at Pullins Bike Shop, Northern California’s oldest cyclery

SHOP AROUND AT THESE LOCAL GEMS FOR:

Birthday cards and curiosities at Grace Jr.

One of kind, locally designed clothing at Three Sixty Eqotique

Locally grown fruit & artisan cheeses at Chico Natural Foods Co-op

Inspiration at Nantucket Home

BMX, fixed gear bikes & skateboards at Greenline Cycle & Chico Bike and Board

Gifts for home and garden at Grapes and Ivy

A bargain retro look from Elite Repeat Salvation Army

Antique treasures of every kind at 8^th and Main Antiques & Endless Treasures

Handcrafted leather jackets, hats, belts, wallets and more at Iron Mountain Leather

BRAG TO YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT:

Being a co-op owner at Chico Natural Foods Co-op

Finding Ultra Beautician; a quirky little salon with big personality.

Learning to cook in a class taught by renowned Executive Chef Ann Leon of Leon’s Bistro

Supporting Lyon Books; an independent, locally owned & run bookstore

Seeing a master glassblower’s work at Satava Art Glass

Getting a prime seat for happy hour at Fifth Street Steakhouse

Painting pottery at All Fired Up Ceramic Studio

Catching a movie at the Pageant Theatre & getting there early enough to sit on the couches up front