Family Ties
These Businesses Keep it in the Family…
Small and family-owned businesses make the North State special because not only are they keeping community heritage, but they are also proving that obtaining the American Dream is still possible. Dozens of independent owners are out there raising their families in plant nurseries and restaurants, several generations are managing ranches, fruit stands, breweries and vineyards, and people are committed to keeping 140-year-old and 150-year-old businesses going, maintaining tradition and forging new memories while supporting the local economy by providing jobs. Here is a snapshot of locally owned and family-owned businesses.
Butte County:
Bird in Hand
320 Broadway St., Chico
www.birdinhand.com
Bob Malowney and his wife started Bird in Hand back in 1981, and the gift shop in downtown Chico sells everything from kites and Chico souvenirs to puzzles and plushies. It is also known for keeping a 256-lb., 50-foot-tall wooden yo-yo – the world’s largest, as the couple are the caretakers of the National Yo-Yo Museum.
Bird in Hand is managed by Bob, his wife, their daughter and son-in-law. His grandkids work there, too. When asked what he likes about owning a family business, Bob says, “The bosses here are really good.”
“Anyone who works with family will tell you that it’s different, but everyone works for the common good. This is a place to shop for fun because we have all kinds of things you can have fun with,” he adds.
The Allies Pub
426 Broadway St. Ste. 130, Chico
www.thealliespub.com
Originally from England, Steve Kay began brewing his own beer when he was 15 years old just for fun but found himself coming back to it later in life. He moved to Chico in 1995 with his family and found himself decades later reconnecting with his beermaking heritage. He opened British Bulldog Brewery and enlisted help from his son-in-law Justin Martin, and then a couple of years later the family opened The Allies Pub. The family allies involved in the business include Alison Kay, Steve Kay, Justin Martin and Emma Martin. Emma says:
“Being involved in a family business like The Allies Pub is an incredibly rewarding experience. Our family dynamic is unique – we consider ourselves the four legs of a table, each holding up a vital part of the business. I focus on marketing, ensuring that we stay connected with our community and draw in new faces, while Mum runs the kitchen, creating the heart and soul of what we serve. Justin manages the employees, fostering a positive environment, and my dad handles the accounting, keeping us financially sound.
“While we all have very clear and separate roles, there’s an unspoken agreement that we help each other whenever needed. It’s a balance that keeps us grounded and ensures the pub operates smoothly. Just like a table is stronger with all four legs, we’re stronger when all of us are working together. However, when one of us needs extra support, the others rally around to make sure everything stays steady. It’s that closeness and mutual trust, all fighting for the same end goal, that makes running The Allies Pub not just a job, but a true family endeavor.
“Beyond the business, we always remember that we are first and foremost a family. It’s important for us to carve out time to spend together, enjoying quality moments without talking about the pub. Balancing business and family life is key, and it’s something we try to make a priority.”
LaRocca Vineyards
222 W. Second St., Chico
www.laroccavineyards.com
Forty years ago, Philip and Judy LaRocca began farming 110 acres of unkept wine grapes in Forest Ranch with the goal of turning them into certified organic, no-sulfites-added Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. LaRocca wines have continued to thrive with eight different wines in its troupe, and Philip’s three children are involved in the business.
As Philip has gotten older, his daughter Phaedra LaRocca has taken more of a role in managing the business, and her sister Maria and D. Tony help. Phaedra went to UC Santa Cruz and majored in community studies with an emphasis on the social impact of organic agriculture. In the late 1990s, she came back and jumped into the business, doing a lot of the international and national sales and marketing. D. Tony has always run the vineyards and has been more active on the farming side, and their sister Maria helps with La Rocca when needed.
“It’s beautiful and challenging at the same time,” Phaedra says about working with her family. “We are so similar because we are the prodigy of our parents, but different people. It’s awesome but complicated. We have a unique product and definitely went through some challenges with the Camp Fire and COVID – that was a rough wave – but having the support of family right here who understands it has been nice.” Especially during the pandemic when people were isolated and couldn’t go to work, Phaedra found it was better to be working with family to navigate all those uncertainties together. “We have Sicilian roots, and were taught that family is everything,” Phaedra says.
Shasta County:
Cascade Paint
1220 California St., Redding
www.cascadepaint.com
Serving the Redding community for more than 65 years, this family-owned business is currently in its third generation of management. Brothers Casey and Steve Crandall took over the business from their dad, who took it over from his grandfather Caleb Crandall II in the 1950s.
When asked what has made Cascade Paint so successful for so long, Casey replies, “We keep it going out of pure stubbornness. With paint, once you start with it, it gets in your blood.”
Casey grew up around the store and when he got older, he went to Chico and worked for a paint manufacturer for many years. He liked coming back to Cascade Paint, though. “I like being independent and enjoy getting up and going to work, seeing the same people every day,” Casey says. He explains that they’ve developed trust with their customers.
“We have more than 65 years of combined knowledge and expertise about paint and try to pay attention to what people need and want and take care of that. And we do things our own way and it works for us.”
Hokema’s Sewing and Vacuum
2736 Bechelli Lane, Redding
www.hokemas.net
Hermann and Gerda Hokema opened their first Hokema’s storefront in 1964 on Yuba Street and moved over to Bechelli Lane in 1976. The Hokemas pride themselves on helping customers find their perfect vacuum or sewing machine and focus on staying up to date on products within exclusive lines. Nowadays, Hermann and Gerda’s sons Hardy, Frank and Michael run the store.
“This October will be 60 years in operation,” Michael says. When asked how they’ve stayed in business for so long, he replies it’s about sticking with the basics and being honest and forthright about whether a machine can be fixed or not, as well as finding the right products for them.
Michael says that when they were all younger, they were expected to come to work when they weren’t doing other things, and “it just evolved with us coming back home and getting more involved with the store.” Their dad Hermann just retired from the business and Michael adds, “I like working with my family because we’re responsible for everything in the front and on the back end and there’s a real pride of ownership in everything we do here.
Our technicians are all well-trained, professional, and are here to help. We’ve been doing this a long time.”
Becca’s Café
2830 Childress Drive, Anderson
On Facebook
Open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week and dinner four times a week, Becca’s Café in Anderson is owned by Becca Howsmon and her family. She and her husband bought it nearly 22 years ago, and her son Beau and one of her daughters, Jana, work there.
“This is the local hangout; I love everything about it,” Becca says about being a part of a family business. “Where we are…Anderson is our home. People bring in their kids and grandkids and we watch them grow up. We give back when we can and are known for being the center of the community. We’re here and open through fires, power outages, everything.”
Becca’s Café is also kind of a museum. It holds a lot of Anderson memorabilia and even has an entire military room. “We’ll always be here; I don’t see us going anywhere. Our customers are our family. This is a unique place; that’s what spread into other aspects of the business and makes it more personal.”
Tehama County:
Julia’s Fruit Stand
11475 Hwy. 99E, Los Molinos
www.juliasfruitstand.com
Julia’s Fruit Stand opened in 2001, but James and Kathy’s families have been farming in the Dairyville area long before that. James’s great grandparents, David and Hazel Jones, moved to Northern California in 1913 while Kathy’s grandparents, Charles and Evelyn Long, joined the Dairyville farming community in 1945. Between the two families, James and Kathy have more than 110 years of agricultural heritage.
Walnuts and prunes have been the staples of the Brant’s farms for many years, but now they are starting to see a shift in the farming business, and the stone fruits and vegetables sold at Julia’s Fruit Stand are becoming more profitable. Their daughter Julia is a swim coach and a teacher while their youngest daughter Jordan just went off to University of Florida to study agricultural engineering.
Kathy says that what she likes most about running a family farm is “the flexibility and giving kids the opportunity to work.” The Brandts employ around 35 teenagers each summer to help them with the harvest, and it gives them a chance to develop their work ethic.
La Corona Restaurant
914 Walnut St., Red Bluff
La Corona has been a family owned business since 2001 when Juan and Maria Pulido opened it. Their daughter Mayra started working there as a server when she was 14 years old and now helps manage the business with her two brothers, Juan and Andres Pulido.
When asked what she likes about being intricately involved in a family business, Mayra replies, “We rely on each other and enjoy chatting with our customers. Sometimes with family it can be hard, but we all see each other a lot. No matter how busy everyone gets, we all end up here,” she says.
Serving traditional Mexican food, some noteworthy food items based on family recipes include the Chile Colorado, menudo, and chile rellenos.
Elmore Pharmacy
401 Walnut St., Red Bluff
www.elmorepharmacy.com
Originally from McCloud, Elmore Pharmacy owner Bianca Bradshaw knew she wanted to be a pharmacist ever since she was 5 years old. She studied it in college and earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
Bradshaw has been a licensed pharmacist for 20 years and was working for a competitor when Elmore Pharmacy came up for sale. Over time she had gotten to know the owners, and therefore took up the opportunity to own her own business, which also happens to be the oldest pharmacy in Tehama County.
There have been a lot of changes, and small-town pharmacies are having a tougher time competing with the big guys and navigating the healthcare insurance system, but Bradshaw loves the flexibility of helping her customers in a more meaningful way by being on her own.
“It feels like I’m taking care of extended family all the time. Sometimes there’s a little bit more we can do as an independent pharmacy that the bigger guy can’t do,” she says, like helping to subsidize the costs of medications or take the extra time to call their doctor to make sure they are getting the right treatment when they need it.
Bradshaw also just became a certified clinical wellness coach with an emphasis in functional medicine, which involves a more natural approach to healthy living.
“I focus on anti-inflammatory eating versus taking medicine and there are simple things we can do that can work wonders, like practicing mindful breathing. A lot of people are experiencing pill fatigue, and I’m trying to come up with a better balance for them,” she says.
Trinity County:
J&J’s Smokin’ BBQ and Catering
4391 B Trinity Dam Blvd., Lewiston
On Facebook
Jarrett Gravley, his wife, and another family own J&J’s Smokin’ BBQ & Catering as well as Village Playcare in Lewiston. The Gravleys took over J&J’s and opened it as a smokehouse and market the day before the pandemic. They offered take-and-bake foods, and when the lockdown lifted, they opened a restaurant and have been busy ever since.
“It was perfect timing, actually,” Jarrett says. When asked what he likes about running J&J’s, he replies, “I barbecue food for a living. And I love people.”
J&J’s is open seven days a week and is often at local events, fairs and private functions.
Alpen Cellars
2000 E. Fork Road, Trinity Center
www.alpencellars.com
The Groves family originally came to Trinity County more than 100 years ago in pursuit of gold and ended up establishing a ranch in 1855 to produce food for fellow miners. It became a cattle ranch that ran until 1950 before it went dormant.
Meanwhile, Keith Groves graduated from Trinity High School in 1976, and then moved to Fresno to work at his cousin’s winery. He earned a degree in winemaking from Fresno State University, came home, and planted two acres in 1981. It officially became Alpen Cellars in 1984.
Alpen Cellars is the only winery in California that operates off the power grid, using its own hydroelectric plant that runs the winery. Keith Groves is the sole owner of the winery, and his mother Bette Jane is his partner in managing the land. His daughter Leah earned a master’s degree in viticulture as well from Fresno State, so she may become more involved in the business some day.
“Family businesses are family businesses because it’s more of a lifestyle. We’re not in this to make money or build a brand, we’re not as financially driven [as a corporation],” he says. And while it may be challenging competing against bigger wine entities, he says that being able to have employees and support them with jobs makes it all worth it.
“I’ve been in the wine business my whole life and I feel like I meet the best of people here.”
Trinity Nursery & Gift Shop
885 Main St., Weaverville
www.trinitynursery.com
Trinity Nursery has been a beloved part of Weaverville since 1979, and today it’s owned by Nick and Naomi Goulette. The couple took over the nursery from the Pestoni family, who had nurtured it for 33 years. Naomi, who grew up in Weaverville, has always been an avid gardener. She recalls fond memories of visiting the nursery with her mom as a child. Even though she earned a master’s degree in social services, when the opportunity to buy the nursery arose, Naomi decided to shift her career and dive into her love for plants.
“It’s such a community institution, and I’ve always loved coming here,” she shares. Since taking ownership in 2018, Nick and Naomi have breathed new life into the nursery, making improvements to the infrastructure and expanding the selection of plants. They’ve introduced unique varieties such as hardy hibiscus, which can thrive in the local climate, and camellias that bloom at different times of the year, adding fresh beauty to the seasons.
Naomi and Nick have two young children, including a kindergartner and a 2½-year-old. While it’s too early to say whether they’ll want to take over the family business one day, Naomi enjoys sharing the experience with them. Her son has even started helping out in small ways, like pulling weeds. “He said the sweetest thing the other day,” Naomi recalls with a smile. “He told me he was going to work at the nursery and give me all his money so I don’t have to work anymore. It really touched my heart.”
For Naomi, Trinity Nursery is more than just a business; it’s a community hub. “Gardening is so special for so many people,” she says. “Whether they’re growing food or just enjoying beautiful plants, it’s therapeutic. I see the same customers several times a week. We’re part of their morning walk. This place really is their happy place.”
Siskiyou County:
Jenner Family Beef, Etna
www.jennerfamilybeef.com
Since 1872, the Jenner Family has kept a herd of Angus cow/calf pairs that are ranch-born, pasture-raised, and grain-finished on 4,000 acres of land. Through at least five generations and 140 years, the Jenners love what they do, and it shows – in the reviews, in the care that they take with their animals and in maintaining the land. People say they love knowing where their food comes from, the family producing it, and the fact that they raise animals that “mature on nature’s schedule.” Their cows are not fed antibiotics, hormones or ruminants, which creates quality, healthy meat.
Fifth-generation Jenner Tricia Laustalot was raised in the house that her great-grandfather was born in. Her grandfather had two sons (Tricia’s father and uncle), and now one of Tricia’s cousins and two brothers now run the ranch. She says that her uncle gave an analogy about working with family best: That it’s like a rope, each member a strand, and when braided together, makes it stronger and more resilient. “You are dealing with a lot of different personalities, but that’s like any business. We all share a common vision, and everyone’s worked hard to maintain the ranch,” Tricia says.
Burger Barn
5942 Dunsmuir Ave., Dunsmuir
On Facebook
The Zack Shirley family has owned the Burger Barn for nine years, but it originally opened in 1973. Born and raised in Dunsmuir, Zack grew up eating at the local burger joint which has always been a staple in Dunsmuir. He took it over in January 2016.
“A few families owned it over the years, and I worked under the last owner as a cook,” Zack says. The last few series of owners have averaged keeping the Burger Barn for around 10 years, and the Shirleys are coming up on that. And they plan to continue serving up delicious burgers, shakes, fries, smoked BBQ items and vegetarian fare for as long as they can. Zack has a 5-year-old son Zander and 3-year-old daughter, who may even take over the business someday. “My son already knows how to make ice cream cones and count back change. His teacher says he’s a math ninja.” •
