TNM Vendors in the Spotlight

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade...or lemon curd!"

Hot summer days and nights keep North State residents looking for a little something refreshing. Two new additions to the Thursday Night Market this season, Chico Squeeze and 2 English Ladies, have the just refreshment you need.

Chico Squeeze
Chico Squeeze is owned and operated by the Ranalla and Arnold families.  The business is a family affair started here in Chico inspired by long summer days, trips off of the beaten path and springtime fruit blossoms. Nothing symbolizes the taste of summertime better than a fresh squeezed glass of lemonade to combat the North State heat.
 
With a love of working and shopping in downtown Chico the family fell in love with Thursday Night Market when they first moved here, after being coaxed by the Arnold family, in 2005.  Downtown Chico is a huge part of their lives and they were enticed to start a business model at TNM.
 
The seed idea for the business including the company name,  drink names and ingredients all come from the families teenage children and their friends brainstorming about owning a business in Chico.  The families believe that the next generation should have the entrepreneurial spirit and that Chico Squeeze is a way to teach them about business, quality and community all at the same time.  

Chico Squeeze and TNM make for a perfect fit and coming up with names for their drinks was a way to pay homage to  their new community.  Bidwell Berry, One Mile Mint, Strawberry Skyway, Paradise Peach and Mangrove Mix are all blending the great taste of spring/summer with local landmarks.  They look forward to adding more specialty squeezes to their menu and are coming out with designer apparel later this summer.
 
"In response to all of our patrons who keep asking 'where our store is located?"," says Bill Ranalla, co-owner, "it's right here at Thursday Night Market!"  There are dreams of having a brick and mortar storefront in Downtown Chico someday, but Ranalla says, "we can discuss that over an ice cold glass of classic Chico Squeeze."
 
Join the Chico Squeeze Facebook page and visit their website for more information.
 
2 English Ladies
Lemon Curd is a traditional English spread originating back to Old England's 18th century.  Pat Holdstock has used an old English recipe for over 45 years. After moving to the US from England, Pat and her daughter, Claire, have used this recipe for making curds as gifts.  Having been encouraged by friends to start a "home made" business, in April of this year they finally launched "2 English Ladies."

Their curd - which comes in orange, lemon and lime - is made fresh in Chico every week with no artificial additives or preservatives. The list of uses is vast - spread them on toast, scones, bagels, muffins, pancakes, waffles, or as filling in cakes of pies. See them and usage ideas on Facebook.

2 English Ladies"Downtown Chico's Thursday Night Market is the perfect venue to sell our curds," say Pat and Claire.  "We like to think our curds are fit for kings and queens...and the people of the Chico area too."