Long before the Chico of today was even a thought, the Mechoopda Maidu people chose this land as a place of peace and prosperity. Later settlers and pioneers recognized Chico as a fertile agricultural region, and still later, the California and Oregon Railroad identified the city as a key transportation hub. The first iteration of what is now Chico State, the Northern Branch of the State Normal School in 1887, the arrival of the Diamond Match Company in 1900, and the development of the Army Air Base all pointed to Chico as a place where opportunity abounded and economic success was on every horizon.
We are proud of our homegrown companies, ones who chose Chico as the place to fuel their dreams and make them a reality we all enjoy. Businesses like Oak Ridge Cabinets, founded in Chico in 1983, set themselves apart for quality and craftsmanship. The beloved Shubert’s Ice Cream and Candy has been a sweet treat staple since 1938, while coffee shops around town all eagerly brew steaming mugs of Chico Chai, a 2004 start-up with widespread appeal. And to keep those smiles pearly white, Lares Research has been supplying dentists worldwide with quality dental handpieces since 1956, right out of its Chico headquarters.
Start-ups like Stoble Workplace and the above-mentioned ChicoStart were created just for that: to provide entrepreneurs of all inclinations with the workspace, companionship, and caffeine to grow the next big idea.