Redding Chico Eureka

CHICO, Calif. — Mary Hartley has been the proprietor of Tomfoolery Gifts & Gadgets in Chico for the previous three years. Established in 1983, the shop has been a beloved, recognized for its distinctive presents, leather-based merchandise, and group ambiance. However, on Monday, Hartley introduced the troublesome determination to shut the enterprise’s doorways.

“The financial system is a very massive piece. Things are simply very costly, and the buyer can solely afford a lot,” Hartley told KRCR.

The City of Chico has introduced new parking meters and strategies to improve the downtown experience. However, Hartley has observed a decline in local shopping, particularly among older residents who might find difficulty using the city’s new parking meters or app.

Photo of a parking meter near ‘Tomfoolery Gifts & Gadgets’ in Downtown Chico, Calif. on Monday, January 5, 2026. (KRCR)

“There have been things in downtown that have changed a little bit. Some of that would be the parking, and now different demographics don’t come downtown anymore, and that used to be a big chunk of my clientele,” Hartley defined.

Hartley serves because the Interim President of the Downtown Chico Business Association (DCBA), a company devoted to selling small companies and native entrepreneurs. As Tomfoolery nears its closure, Hartley highlights the essential function that the group performs in supporting native companies and contributing to the vitality of downtown. She encourages residents to proceed visiting and buying in downtown to assist forestall different native companies from dealing with the identical troublesome determination.

Photo of ‘Tomfoolery Gifts & Gadgets’ proprietor Mary Hartley helping a buyer in Downtown Chico, Calif. on Monday, January 5, 2026. (KRCR)

“Downtown is nice, and I find it irresistible, and I wish to assist folks to maintain the companies that we’ve going and coming downtown. Downtown native companies are Chico-owned. I reside in Chico, and I assist Chico. Your cash goes again to you, it goes again to the group,” Hartley said.

Hartley has made philanthropy a pillar of tomfoolery for years and leaves the community she’s served with a final message.

“I love my community that has supported the store throughout the decades of the store, when it was in the old mall and as long as it’s been downtown. Tomfoolery has been involved in a lot of giving back. A lot of baskets for schools and for charities and stuff like that, and I just appreciate all the community love,” Hartley concluded.

Photo of customers wanting on the merchandise of a neighborhood store in Chico, Calif. on Nov. 30, 2024. (KRCR)

All merchandise and fixtures within the retailer are being provided at discounted costs to clear stock. Hartley says the shop will stay open till every little thing is offered.

Tomfoolery Gifts & Gadgets is positioned on W third Street in Downtown Chico.