CHICO — The Chico History museum kicked off its Spring Lecture Series with an insightful lecture from Bob Malowney, owner of Bird In Hand.
The Spring Lecture Series consists of six lectures from Chico community members on various topics relating to Chico. Individual lecture tickets cost $10, or $9 for Chico History Museum members.
Malowney’s lecture focused on his 50 years as a downtown business owner. Bird In Hand is a gift shop located at 320 Broadway St. The shop features a variety of gifts Malowney said are sourced based on what they see Chicoans buy, rather than national trends.
In addition to the gift shop, Bird In Hand also houses the National Yo-Yo Museum.
Event organizer Dave Nopel introduced the lecture as “a story from downtown Chico.”
Over the decades, the success of downtown Chico has varied. This fluctuation was a significant theme in Malowney’s lecture.
“We all hang on with our finger nails to an enduring and surviving downtown Chico,” said Nopel, as he introduced Malowney.
Malowney moved to Chico from San Diego in 1971, and was taken with the community.
“It’s the friendliest town in California,” Malowney said.
His first job was in a granola factory. Then he opened up a screen printing business, Media Screenprint, with his wife.
“My wife Barbara and I have worked together for 52 years. Every day. (And we still like each other),” Malowney said.
At one point, his print shop was located where Rawbar’s storefront is. Eventually the store moved to its current Broadway location.
In 1981 Malowney opened Bird In Hand and continued to operate the screen printing shop. However, it eventually became too much and he sold the screen printing business to his employees.
He described running the two businesses like having each foot in a different boat, and each boat going a different speed.
Malowney said one of the biggest challenges downtown businesses face is parking. Aside from parking, another issue is the homeless population who Malowney described as “urban campers.” He said customers often come into Bird In Hand and apologize to the employees that they have to deal with this issue.
Attendees listen to Bob Malowney, owner of Bird In Hand, at the Chico History Museum in Chico, California on Feb. 17, 2024. (Molly Myers/Enterprise-Record)
City councilor Addison Winslow was among those who attended the lecture.
“I’m interested how it (the lecture) will relate to the downtown streets project,” said Winslow, prior to Malowney’s talk.
The project Winslow is referring to is the Downtown Chico Complete Streets Project. According to the City of Chico’s website, the project “seeks to improve connectivity in both the north and south downtown areas for all modes of transportation.”
Near the end of Malowney’s talk, an audience member, not Winslow, asked Malowney what he thought of the city’s plans to improve the streets. Malowney has been on multiple committees and contributed to street improvement plans in the past to no avail.
“We come up with solutions and the solutions are never carried out … So this is just an exercise. I think I’ll spend my time on something else,” Malowney said.
Since removing himself from the conversation on improving the streets of downtown, Malowney said he’s experienced lower blood pressure.
The history that Malowney said he wanted to highlight was the “the spirt of the 80s and 90s.” At this time he said there was a profound “cohesiveness” in the downtown community. He said it is important to figure out a solution to revitalizing downtown.
“The solution isn’t another bar or another restaurant,” Malowney said. The crowd murmured “yes” and “yeah” in agreement.
After his talk, numerous people spoke with Malowney echoing the sentiment he held most dear in his talk, community.
“He’s (Malowney) always supported kids,” said Betty Nopel, board member of the Chico History Museum.
The next lecture in the Spring Lecture Series will host Rian Farley on “Stories From Durham” on March 9.
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