A Healing Gallery Store Opened in May of 2021, The Peddler’s Closet & Co is located at Third and Wall in Chico, is already the talk of the town. Owner Leann Powell, along with her friend Iris Natividad, are excited to be able to share everything the shop has to offer and agree they really want it to be a place of inspiration for anyone who walks through the door. Leann has been involved in various aspects of retail for the past thirty years. She started her own boutique in 2019, specializing in tie-dye and doing pop up events with local artist, Jennie Johnson who creates wirewrapped jewelry. Iris, is from Paradise. Iris’ previous venture was helping friends reestablish their antique store after the Camp Fire. She brought Leann in with her tie-dye merchandise, and that’s how the two first connected. Iris says, “We were both at the same season (in our careers). We promoted other people but never did it for ourselves. So, this was a collaboration for the two of us. We thought, let’s do this for ourselves this time.” Leann shares that Iris messaged her in the middle of the night saying, “If you end up opening a shop, I’ll rent half the building from you.” That’s how it all came to be. The store itself is an eclectic assemblage of art, jewelry, local artisans, tie-dye and antique furniture. They encourage artists to come in and be part of the store, not just featured in it. Shane Grammer, well known for his Camp 34
U P G R A D E D L I V I N G M AG A Z I N E AU G U S T 2 0 2 1
Fire murals, has several pieces for sale. Local photographer, Bart Kalbach, who takes spectacular photos using a bite plate on his camera, also has his work at the store. He can often be found on Saturdays visiting Iris, Leann, and the community. In addition to established artists, their gallery store features artwork from local, up-and-coming artists, like 25-year-old Alexandra Buie. Iris talks about how some of their artist connections are purely through serendipity. Alexandra, who’s also from Paradise, stopped in the store with a friend to throw away some trash. “She just happened to stop in, met Shane Grammer, shared some of her work, and now is part of the art community featured in our store.” Leann’s 16-year-old niece, Gillian Powell, painted a whimsical Renaissance-style rabbit adorned with earrings and a red velvet headpiece. Once Leann saw it, she asked her to be part of the shop, and she’s now working on several other pieces to be sold. The rabbit holds a special place above the chunky repurposed bar, waiting to find its permanent home. You can also find more local artisans, like Wood Carver, Cole Hamilton, Graphic Artist, Patrick Fleming, Farm Girl Artistry by Debbie Presson, Apparel by Chico-dise, Mixed Media Artist, Judy Abbott, Candles by Beechwood Apiaries, and Watercolor by Jewls Gardner.
Iris emphasizes how healing through art is central to the purpose at The Peddler’s Closet & Co. She lost her partner, Andrew Downer, and his service dog Bertha, in the Camp Fire. Helping establish the gallery store to give artists a place to display and sell their work, and create an environment of hope and healing, has been extremely rewarding. People often congregate around the Shane Grammer display that features merchandise with the various murals from Paradise. Leann says they”ll sometimes just reminisce there, with tears in their eyes. It’s turned into one of the store’s many centers for healing. “We’ve got a lot of really unique and cool items, and I want them to all stand out. So the hard part is trying to make each artisan or product stand out on its own while maintaining a flow.” Leann explains, “it’s one of the most challenging aspects of owning, The Peddler’s Closet & Co.” The intent to create a one of a kind boutique and gallery store in Chico has resulted in an environment that artists seem to gravitate towards. This is clearly evident in all the items they carry; wire wrapped jewelry, hand-beaded purses, soapstone from Africa, bee products, tie-dye apparel, hand-carved pieces from Paradise trees lost to the Camp Fire, and so much more. The Peddler’s Closet & Co is located at 177 E 3rd Street and is open Wednesday through Friday 10:00 am to 5:30ish and Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00ish. They are also available by appointment.
