Phoenix Humidor: Helping to revitalize downtown Grass Valley

LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, Stucki Jewelers opened Phoenix Humidor, the biggest walk-in cigar humidor in the foothills. Owners James and Nichole Arbaugh stocked the humidor with premium hand-crafted cigars along with loose-leaf tobacco and accessories such as cigar cutters, lighters and ashtrays. Their new venture has been a major success, making Stucki one of […]

Emily’s 10th anniversary pop-up bakery on Good Day Sacramento

We have been fans of Emily’s Catering & Cakes since it was founded 10 years ago, writing about it regularly in our magazine. Chef Emily Scott and her husband, James Arbaugh, are a shining example of youthful, homegrown talent, who gained experience in big cities, including coastal California and Europe, and returned to the foothills to […]

Emily’s Catering & Cakes: A “pop-up” bakery

LIKE FOOD TRUCKS OR FARMERS MARKETS, one of the fastest-growing trends in the restaurant business is “pop-up” dining. The temporary restaurants, whether at a private home or stylish loft space, are creating a new wave of entrepreneurs. Talented chefs can highlight their creativity without being tied “24/7” to a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Customers appreciate the spontaneity. […]

Stucki Jewelers: A model for Main Street

MOM AND POP STORES ARE THE “economic engine” for the foothills and Sierra. But they face many challenges: big box stores, Amazon.com and population declines. On the other hand, independent businesses that provide unique products or services will continue to thrive, experts say. Fine jewelry retailers are a prime example. The reasons are multifold: Jewelry—an […]

A Baker’s Dozen

CELEBRATED FRENCH CHEF Alain Ducasse helped put San Francisco’s Tartine Bakery on the map when he wrote about it in Harvesting Excellence. It helped set off a decade-long artisan baking craze in Northern California, with bakeries such as Della Fattoria Café in Petaluma or Thomas Keller’s Buchon Bakery in Yountville. Now the bakery boom is […]

Nevada County natives return home to start new businesses

THE LURE OF THE BIG CITY IS costly to communities in the foothills. The talented young people often move away. “Bring them home” campaigns seek to persuade natives to come home for local careers—no easy task given the lack of jobs, relatively low pay and high cost of living (also known as the foothills’ “pine […]

Summer Catering: fresh & local, small plates

SUMMER IS PRIME TIME FOR GET-TOGETHERS, weddings, family reunions and anniversaries. It also is ideal for caterers thanks to the bounty of available fresh, local food. Local menus remain one of the hottest trends in catering, along with small plates. Our foothills include some top-notch caterers who capitalize on the trend. IN THE KITCHEN At […]

Emily’s Catering & Cakes: creative, inviting menus

CHEF EMILY SCOTT IS A SHINING example of a foothills’ homegrown talent. After pursuing her culinary education in college, throughout Sacramento and parts of Europe, the Nevada County native is back home, expanding her full-service catering business. Emily’s Catering & Cakes has just opened an enchanting new indoor and outdoor event space in historic downtown […]

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