Corner buildings: the crowning glory
We’re halfway through a walk around a block bracketed by four vintage corner buildings.
Starting at the southwest corner of W. Second and Main streets, head south on Main. Made in Chico is in the middle of this block. I visited it this morning just to refresh my memory about what it sells: books about Chico, books written by Chicoans, CDs by Chico musicians, local food products in bottles and jars, housewares, jewelry, clothing and art glass. Could you expect to run across Made in Stockton, Made in Bakersfield and Made in Redding stores? I doubt it. Why do I doubt it? Because they’re not Chico.
On the northwest corner of Main and Third streets is the building that housed Oser’s Department Store for almost 100 years. At one time, every community had a locally-owned department store, but by the late 20th century, just about all of them had vanished.
One of this building’s best features is the garland that decorates the cornice, making it look like a gift-wrapped box. The building has been vacant for a while, but new owners Scott and Ellen Stephens of Vina plan to remodel it and divide the first floor into small retail spaces, reminiscent of the Garden Walk Mall. The second floor will become office space.
Turn right on Third and head west until you reach the large corner building at the Broadway intersection. It has been around since about 1890. The exposed brick wall on the Third Street side is its most obviously 19th century feature. The building was remodeled in about 1920, when the second floor was removed and the top portion of the front of the building was faced with bricks.
In the last 117 years, this building has been used as a saloon, grocery store, pharmacy and, more recently, clothing stores.
When you turn right to head up Broadway, you’ll see that this building and the old Bank of America building take up all of the block, except for a parking lot between them.
Join me again soon for another walk around the block.