News

Commercial Sales Up - Volume Still Down
01/10/11

The total number of commercial sales and total sales volume were up in 2010, but still way below the levels set in 2008. Most properties that have sold were seriously discounted. These are especially exceptional times for business owners/occupants to purchase because there is SBA Financing available at good rates. It’s a chance for business owners to finally be rewarded for their efforts, and upgrade to a better location or facility at reasonable to excellent prices.

Below are some basic sales reports taken from the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Please keep in mind that this should be considered a “snapshot” of the local market and does not include properties sold privately or that may not have been reported in the MLS.

Butte County Commercial Sales (Chico/ Paradise/ Oroville)

2010
Commercial Sales – 30 (Up)
Total Sales Volume - $14,374,333
Average Days on Market – 262

2009
Commercials Sales – 23 (Way Down)
Total Sales Volume - $8,573,145
Average Days on Market – 165

2008
Commercial Sales – 48
Total Sales Volume $27,296,586
Average Days on Market – 130

Chico Commercial Sales

2010
Total Commercial Sales – 15 (Flat)
Total Sales $7,091,333
Average Sale Price $472,555
High -$1,100,000
Low - $107,000
Average Days on Market - 277

2009
Total Commercial Sales – 14 (Way Down)
Total Sales Volume - $6,411,145
Average Sales Price - $457,938
High - $1,275,000
Low - $60,000
Average Days on Market - 119

2008
Total Commercial Sales - 30
Total Sales Volume - $19,671,086
Average Sales Price - $655,702
High - $2,075,000
Low - $43,500
Average Days on Market – 117

Oroville Commercial Sales

2010
Total Commercial Sales – 6 (Up)
Total Sales Volume - $4,790,000
Average Sales Price - $798,333
High - $3,400,000
Low - $140,000
Average Days on Market – 292

2009
Total Commercial Sales – 1 (Way Down)
Selling Price $360,000
Days on Market 75

2008
Total Commercial Sales – 11
Total Sales Volume - $4,833,500
Average Sales Price - $439,409
High - $ 1,500,000
Low - $87,500
Average Days on Market – 114



For more information contact Mike Donnelly at (530) 828-0011 or mike@californianorthern.com

"Fix it John!" Moves to Esplanade
10/18/10

(Chico) Handyman service "Fix it John!" has opened a new facility at 2621 Suite C on the Esplanade in North Chico. Owner/Operator John Stearns offers all aspects of light construction, remodeling, maintenance and even artistic landscaping. Stearns will also open up a new display showroom featuring the works of local artists. The lease was handled by Mike Donnelly

For more information contact Mike Donnelly at (530) 828-0011 or mike@californianorthern.com

Butte Humane Society to Open New Clinic
06/28/10

(Chico, CA) The Butte Humane Society is opening a new Spay & Neuter Clinic at a high profile location in South Chico. The clinic will be located at 587 Country Drive near Hertz and United Rentals, a prime highway location well situated to serve the needs of pet owners throughout Chico and Butte County.

The new facility is the first step toward expanding the Humane Society’s operations. A report called “The Needs Assessment, Feasibility & Building Program Study” says the existing animal shelter on Fair Street “is in urgent need of replacement”. The current facility is woefully inadequate and undersized, and the non-profit organization needs at least 20,000 sq. ft. to accommodate its kennel, adoption facility and administrative offices.

The new Spay & Neuter Clinic is about 4,400 sq. ft. and will help alleviate some of the overcrowding. Once a larger site is found, the Humane Society plans to build a new facility and move the rest of its operations.

The new clinic is expected to be open by August. The lease was handled by Mike Donnelly of the Group Real Estate.

For more information contact Mike Donnelly at (530) 828-0011 or mike@californianorthern.com

Sapphire Plaza Opens for Business
02/16/10

PAPPA MURPHY'S FIRST STORE IN NEW SHOPPING CENTER
(Orland, CA) Sapphire Plaza Shopping Center, the new “jewel” of Orland’s business community is open for business and represents the bright and shining hopes for a better economic future. Papa Murphy’s Take and Bake Pizza is the first retailer to open its doors in the beautiful plaza along Highway 32 next to the SaveMore Shopping Center.

The Papa Murphy’s signs were lit up and the smell of pizza was in the air as the franchise celebrated its soft opening Friday. A formal ribbon cutting and grand opening are planned for the near future.

The new store is a major milestone for Orland and the ambitious Sapphire Plaza project. The center boasts five buildings and more than 43,000 sq. feet of retail, office and professional space. Sapphire Plaza is designed for a vast number different types of businesses including restaurants, clothing and shoe stores, sporting goods, banks, markets, health & beauty salons, computers and professional services. One of the plaza buildings includes an executive elevator to a professional office complex designed to be a center of commerce, perfect for financial services, medical, government, non-profit and other office use.

A retail leakage report indicates the City of Orland is losing more than $200 million dollars ($200,000,000) in retail leakage to other communities such as Chico. The leakage represents a huge opportunity for businesses that will profit by providing the needed products and services. For more information on the report go to www.chicoretail.com and click on “Sapphire Plaza.”

Sapphire Plaza is the inspiration of the Bhagat family, and the completion of the center is the fulfillment of a long time dream. The Bhagat family is especially thankful for the professional efforts of the City of Orland and the people who support job creation and economic development, who made the project possible. The Orland Chamber of Commerce has been especially helpful.

Leasing for Sapphire Plaza is being handled by Mike Donnelly of The Group Real Estate.

For more information contact Mike Donnelly at (530) 828-0011 or mike@californianorthern.com

CarbEssentials Opens New Store
01/26/10

(Chico) The nutrition and weight loss company CarbEssentials continues to expand in Northern California. CarbEssentials, known as “the easy way to eat right” is opening up a new store at 1600 Mangrove Avenue in Chico. CarbEssentials specializes in weight loss and athletic performance products personally tested and selected by Dr. Raymond Powell, MD, who founded the company along with his wife Dominique Powell in 2003.

CarbEssentials products have an essential nutritional balance and are low in fat, high in protein and low to moderately low in carbohydrates. Products range from organic beef jerkey, healthy weight dinner entrees and salad dressings, to special coffees, cookies and a wide range of protein bars and drinks. The store also offers products that are free of gluten, lactose and soy, and other products that are high in fiber or only contain whey..

In addition to the Chico Store, CarbEssentials has stores in Yreka, Mt. Shasta, Redding, Red Bluff and online at www.carbessentials.net..

The lease was handled by Mike Donnelly of The Group Real Estate and Dan Anderson of Anderson Property Management.

For more information contact Mike Donnelly at (530) 828-0011 or mike@californianorthern.com

The Group Inks Deal With Rapid Refill
06/24/09

(Chico) Rapid Refill, a full service ink jet and toner cartridge store has signed a deal to open a new store in Chico. The full service print solutions superstore is expected to open August 1st at 208 H on W. East Ave. in the Town & Country Shopping Center between Save Mart and Rite Aid.

The franchise store is owned and operated by Former Chico Enterprise Record Publisher Wolf Rosenberg and former Chico Shred Owner Chuck Lohse, two of Chico's most respected businessmen.

Rapid Refill offers total print solutions for consumers, businesses, educators and community organizations. The store carries extensive inventories of popular brand name inkjet and laser toner cartridges such as HP, Canon, Epson and Lexmark, as well as Rapid Refill™ Brand inkjet and laser toner cartridges for virtually every printer model.

The lease was handled by Mike Donnelly and Frank Ross of The Group Real Estate

For more information contact Mike Donnelly at (530) 828-0011 or mike@californianorthern.com

"Morgan Stanley Building" Unveiled in Chico
11/11/08

(Chico) Financial giant Morgan Stanley has won a major branding right in the City of Chico. The prestigious address at the corner of 6th & Main in Chico is now known as "The Morgan Stanley Building" as part of the exclusive naming rights of a new lease. The global investment management company is opening up new offices in the iconic building at 555 Main Street, one of Chico's most prominent business locations. The lease was handled by Mike Donnelly and Sally Shelton at The Group, John Miller at RSC Associates and Timothy Ferris of Leverenz & Ferris Law Firm.

For more information contact Mike Donnelly at (530) 828-0011 or mike@californianorthern.com

Mercury Register Opens in Mission Square
10/26/08

(Oroville) The revitalization of Mission Square continues with the arrival of another major tenant. The Oroville Mercury Register Newspaper has moved its newsroom and sales office into 2124 5th Ave. in the Mission Square Commercial Center.

The Lease was handled by Mike Donnelly of The Group Real Estate.

The Oroville Mercury is the latest in a string of businesses to move into the center. Edward Jones Investments, Table Mountain Physical Therapy, Lake Oroville Mortgage and The Group Real Estate have all recently announced moves into new or existing units at Mission Square. A new 11,000 square foot commercial expansion project has breathed new life into the center.

The Oroville Mercury Register is also opening up a new newspaper delivery distribution facility in a 900 sq. ft. warehouse at 2775 Feather River Blvd. That lease transaction was also handled by Donnelly at The Group.

For more information contact Mike Donnelly at (530) 828-0011 or mike@californianorthern.com

Attractions Day Spa Opens in Chico
10/09/08

(Chico) A Grand Opening Celebration and Open House is planned for October 23rd at the new Attractions Day Spa & European Boutique in Downtown Chico. “Attractions” owner and operator Izolda Kelemen designed the stunning “resort like’ spa at 434 Broadway, right across from the Downtown Plaza Park in the historic Silberstein Building. Attractions was previously located on Mangrove Avenue.

From the unique and original hardwood floors to the exquisite artwork and European elegance, the new “Attractions” has become one of Chico’s most luxurious and opulent settings for the hair, spa and beauty experience. Men and women alike can be treated to a vast menu of salon and spa services including pro hair style, face, skin and body treatment, permanent make-up, spa capsule, manicures and pedicures. The European Boutique also offers a wide variety on clothing and accessories.

The Grand Opening & Open House is from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The lease was put together by Mike Donnelly and Georgie Bellin of The Group Real Estate. For more information about Attractions Day Spa & European Boutique contact Izolda at 530-895-0552.

For more information contact Mike Donnelly at (530) 828-0011 or mike@californianorthern.com

15 Minute Fitness Opens in Chico
10/01/08

(Chico) An exciting new concept in physical fitness has come to Chico. Fifteen Minute Fitness, an extraordinarily unique health studio is open for business at a convenient location on 9th St. (HW 32) next to Highway 99. Fifteen Minute Fitness is designed for people "on the go" who can achieve measurable results by working out for just two 15 minute sessions each week and follow a recommended nutritional program.

The surprisingly affordable service also acts as a supplemental program to people who already belong to health clubs but don't want to pay the exorbitant extra cost of personal training. Fifteen Minute Fitness offers a quick, scientific system based on solid physiological research that helps busy people of all ages and abilities lead healthier lives, including those who are not especially fond of exercising.

The studio itself is one of Chico's most attractive and inspiring work-out environments. Fifteen Minute Fitness is a long time dream of owner Mark Nett who spent many years in Asia, and brings to his studio an Eastern theme, complete with rock garden and feng shui design.

For a free assessment stop by the new facility at 1390 E. 9th St., Suite 170 next to the former Market Place Cafe, or call 530-809-1258. The Fifteen Minute Fitness lease was put together by Mike Donnelly and Frank Ross of The Group Real Estate.

For more information contact Mike Donnelly at (530) 828-0011 or mike@californianorthern.com

Fashion & Shoes Opens in Chico
08/01/08

(Chico) Fashion & Shoes, a fun, colorful and affordable clothing store is open in Chico, just in time for the new “back to school” year. The 3,400 sq. ft. store is located in the Towne & Country Shopping Center between Rite Aid and Save Mart at 208 East Avenue. This is the third “Fashion & Shoes” opened by owner Steve Nam, who also has stores in Fresno and Madera. The Chico store features a huge selection of name brand apparel and shoes. The lease was put together by Mike Donnelly and Frank Ross of The Group Real Estate. With more than 130,000 sq. ft. of quality retail space, Towne & Country is one of Chico’s busiest shopping centers, conveniently located at East Avenue and The Esplanade. Other major tenants include Harbor Freight, Auto Zone and the popular restaurant Casa Ramos. Several units ranging in size are available to retailers seeking access to Chico's emerging North Growth Area. For more information on this property, contact Mike Donnelly at 530-828-0011 or e-mail mike@californianorthern.com ######

For more information contact Mike Donnelly at (530) 828-0011 or mike@californianorthern.com

Retail Web Site Launched
07/07/08

(Chico) California Northern Real Estate Investment has launched a new website designed to attract more high quality retail businesses to Chico, and help speed up the site selection process for major retailers, brokers and developers. The new website at www.chicoretail.net serves as a clearinghouse for available properties in the Greater Chico Urban Area Metro Market, along with key economic and demographic data that retail site locators need as part of their decision making process.

California Northern Founder Mike Donnelly said the new website will put Chico on the “retail industry map” and make the market more noticeable and more attractive to the larger retail chains. The new web site will be heavily promoted and marketed to the International Council of Shopping Centers (I.C.S.C.), the premier retail industry association.

“In the past, many of the larger retailers have focused on the major metropolitan areas such as the San Francisco Bay Area and the Sacramento region, often overlooking the Chico market in favor of the high population areas,” said Donnelly. “But now that the Chico Urban Area has exceeded the 100,000 population mark, the larger chain stores and national credit tenants are taking notice and giving the market serious consideration,” he said.

“Trader Joes has recently opened up here. With Chico’s growth rate at 7% and new projects in the pipeline such as Meriam Park, we can conceivable see a new Whole Foods Market, Sports Chalet, or maybe even a Macy’s,” said Donnelly.

“But first we have to get through the current downturn economic cycle”, he added. “Given the state of our economy right now, we need to do everything we can to aggressively promote our market. We can’t take our retail industry for granted,” Donnelly said.

For more information contact Mike Donnelly at 530-828-0011 or mike@californianorthern.com
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For more information contact Mike Donnelly at (530) 828-0011 or mike@californianorthern.com