1966–1992
It was Spike’s first
The building at 1270 E. First Ave. went up in 1966. The shop inside took its name from Don Spiker, a Chico man through and through. He lived here for more than 60 years, served as president of the local 20-30 Club, and owned Spike’s Bottle Shop for about a decade. He later managed the mini storage right next door.
1992
The Jaradahs arrive
Marwan Jaradah and his wife came to America from Syria, and in 1992 Marwan bought into Spike’s. Their son Kevin was two years old. Michael was born the next year. The boys grew up in this store: in the aisles, behind the counter, getting to know the people who came through the door.
March 2012
The fire
On a Tuesday evening, a fire started in the motorcycle storage next door. It destroyed 13 bikes and filled the shop with smoke. Firefighters cut holes in our roof to make sure nothing was still burning in the attic.
We could have closed for good. Instead, Kevin, who was managing the store by then, saw a chance to build something new.
December 2012
Chico’s beer store
We rebuilt from the ground up with the biggest beer cooler the space could hold, 23 doors wide, and opened again that December with about 700 craft beers.
Chico didn’t really have a specialty beer store. So we decided we were going to be that store.
Kevin, to the Chico News & Review in 2013 2014
Chico votes
Regulars started coming in every Friday just to see what was new. In 2014, Chico News & Review readers voted Spikes the best liquor store in town for the first time. They have done it nine more times since, and the shelves now hold close to 3,000 beers.
Today
Still family
Kevin runs the store now, and Marwan is still around keeping the coolers cold. Spikes has been in our family for more than 30 years, and it always will be.
Thank you Chico, thank you for welcoming my family with open arms through it all.
Kevin, on his 20th year at Spikes
We love Chico. Thanks for growing up with us.