EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS PHOTO BY JOSH COZINE
15 MINUTES
THE GOODS
Changing of the guard
A few of my favorite things
Cindy Brochheuser always loved clothing and design. That’s why, even after years in the medical field, she decided to hang it all on the line and open Labelz Upscale Consignment Boutique. Since 2012, Brochheuser (pictured, at left) has been taking in high-end clothing and accessories from private sellers and offering it at her store on consignment. She made her first sale a week prior to opening the shop’s doors—while remodeling the space—and business has gone well ever since. But seven years later, Brochheuser is ready to retire. While planning to close up shop, one of her long-term established consignors, Jamie Withrow, decided she’d give the business a go. Withrow, a nine-year veteran in the online consignment game, has been selling through Labelz since 2014 and has been working with Brochheuser since midSeptember to make the transition as seamless to customers as possible. Stop by the shop at 974 Mangrove Ave., or call 345-1615 for more info.
The annual Best of Chico issue is always one of my favorites, even if it is a behemoth and a ton of work. It’s just really nice to get to rave about all the coolest stuff around, a nice break from the doom and gloom. So, in the spirit of the issue, I present a few of my favorite things about Chico, my own best-of list, if you will, in no particular order: Best reason to go out Monday night: No, not Monday Night Football. This one’s a toss-up, depending on my mood. If I want a quiet dinner with a glass of wine for $10 or so, I’ll head to Franky’s for its pretty rad all-night happy hour (spaghetti and a salad for $8!). If I’m craving a hamburger with a buddy, however, it’s to the Oasis Bar & Grill I go, for two-for-one burger night. Best oxymoron: The silent disco. I have yet to attend one of these mystical events, but I’ve seen them advertised at everywhere from the El Rey Theater to Parkside Tap House to the University Sports Bar. I have a feeling it’ll simultaneously be mind-blowing and nothing I’ll ever want to experience again. Best egg roll: Without hesitation, Taste of Hmong in the Nord Safeway shopping center. If you haven’t been yet, go. Best way to show you love your dog: Get his paw print permanently emblazoned on your person. (Shout out to David Singletary at Sacred Art Tattoo. And to Oliver, the best Boston terrier around.) Best Benedict: I used to be a die-hard Roost Irish Benedict fan—and that’s still fantastic—but my taste buds point me more and more toward the Icelandic at the Old Barn Kitchen—their smoked salmon is killer. And the best of the rest, which need no explanation: Mango mimosas while perusing the Filipino market—or relaxing on the patio—at Inday’s Filipino Restaurant. The carpaccio at Crush. The staff/owners of my two favorite pool halls (the aforementioned Oasis and The DownLo), where I spend way too much of my free time. The sundried tomato artichoke dip and naan chips from Guzzetti’s Catering. Getting your name on the board at La Cocina Economica (free taco!). Japanese tacos at Izakaya Ichiban. Yony’s Roasted Corn. The cheese counter at The Galley. Dave Mettler (aka the Wine Guy) at Safeway on Mangrove. The Lamb & The Wolf food truck (which is prepping a brick-and-mortar location in Rocklin). And, last, but not least, the Downtown Ambassadors, who keep our streets clean and always offer a smile.
Tell me about the transition. Brochheuser: Well, I have grandbabies now, which I didn’t have prior [to opening], and I love to travel, so those are big
parts of it. And my sister retired like a year ago, and I’m a little jealous of her. Withrow: I didn’t even know it was for sale—I came in to pick up a consignor check and the gal working here handed it over and said the store was closing. I said, “What!?” So then my [gears] started turning, and I approached Cindy, and it just kinda went from there.
How has business changed since you first opened it, Cindy? Brochheuser: It took off running. I was in here painting cabinets and getting the store ready and there was barely anything hanging on the racks, but people would walk through the door, so I started selling before I even knew what I was doing or how to work my systems, and it’s always done well. It probably took about a month to get a full
store. It’s super empty right now because I was looking to liquidate, but now talking with Jamie the last couple of days we’ve been taking stuff in again.
What are your plans for the future and for the store going forward? Brochheuser: I’m going to Hawaii two weeks after I close my last day, and then Europe after that, but I don’t have it on the books yet. Withrow: [Labelz] is just gonna stay the same, and all of our clients are very happy with it. It’s just changing ownership. Brochheuser: And she’s already got it figured out. She’s been here a few days and she’s already got it. Withrow: [Laughing] She’s gonna be getting calls from me in Hawaii, she just doesn’t know it yet. —JOSH COZINE
by
Meredith J. Cooper meredithc@newsreview.com
AND, SOME NEWS: Last week, local employees of UnitedHealthcare pitched in to donate and deliver over 5,000 pounds of food to Catalyst Domestic Violence Services in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I’ve sadly referred more than one person to Catalyst as a way to climb out of a bad situation and they do great work, so I know the food will go to good use and be much appreciated.
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Contact 530.533.6038 or www.ButteMosquito.com 18
CN&R
OCTOBER 10, 2019