David Benda: Lingerie shop replaces short-lived river raft store in Redding

Mark Proctor had big plans when he relocated his outfitting business, On The River Supply, from Colorado to Redding a year ago.

But months after opening in the Shasta Center off Churn Creek Road, Proctor closed the store and left Redding. He has renamed the business and resurfaced Feb. 1 in Mill Creek, Washington, as On The Water Supply.

“I had what I think is a better opportunity for a more prosperous business,” Proctor told me last week by phone from Washington. He declined to elaborate.

It didn’t take long to fill the empty space in the Shasta Center.

Scandalous Boutique, a lingerie and adult accessories store that opened nearly two years ago on Victor Avenue, has relocated to the former river rafting space, between Palm Beach Tan and Suzie’s Shop on the Corner.

Amanda Spaulding and boyfriend Robert Dunham own Scandalous. Spaulding was a waitress and Dunham did auto body work before they decided to open a lingerie shop.

Their new store is nearly twice the size of their Victor Avenue location. They also think it’s a better location.

“It seems like there is more females who shop at this shopping center,” Dunham.

About half of Scandalous’ customers are women. The other half is split evenly between men and couples.

“We love helping couples,” Dunham said. “We like helping people build confidence in their relationships.”

Scandalous opened Jan. 4. Spaulding and Dunham are thinking about celebrating their second anniversary in March with a re-grand opening.

COTTONWOOD EATERY IN ESCROW

Tango Tacos is in escrow to buy Cottonwood Eatery.

The taco truck, which also runs a catering business, announced on Facebook Feb. 1: “We are in the process of purchasing the Cottonwood Eatery. Please watch our Facebook page for updates.”

Tango Tacos did not return a phone message I left last week. If you’ve had a Tango Taco, send me an email with your thoughts.

Cottonwood Eatery co-owner Nanette Berning-Pate said she doesn’t know when escrow will close. Meantime, the diner will continue to serve and will host Haven Humane Society’s “Second Tuesday” fundraiser this week.

Berning-Pate and her husband, Jim Pate, are retiring. They opened Cottonwood Eatery on Front Street in 2009, taking the place of Old Towne Eatery, which closed that same year after operating in Cottonwood since 1996.

Berning-Pate said Tango Tacos will keep much of the Cottonwood Eatery menu but integrate Mexican cuisine.

“It will be the best of both worlds. They will be keeping their catering,” Berning-Pate said. “They are very, very experienced and they have a successful food truck.”

She is going to miss her customers, who she considers her extended family. But she’s also eager to leave the fast-paced restaurant business.

“We want to enjoy our retirement,” Berning-Pate said. “I have a horse and dogs, they are seniors, so I am going to miss spending time with them if I don’t start enjoying life.”

A LOT OF FIRSTS IN ANDERSON

Andersons’ first Arco AM/PM, first ARCO car wash, first Dutch Bros., first Chicken Shack and first Pop’s Chilly Cheese Steak will open this month.

Workers last week were putting the finishing touches on the development, which is off Highway 273 in front of the Walmart Supercenter shopping center.

Expect at least a portion of the Arco center to open this week. The entire complex should be open by Feb. 15, developers Jaspal Singh and Davinder Singh said.

Chris and Erin Resner, who own the Dutch Bros. franchise in Shasta County, have been eyeing Anderson for some time. This will be there eighth location. They currently have six in Redding and one in Palo Cedro. They opened their first Dutch Bros. in 2004 on Churn Creek Road near the Redding Post Office.

For Chicken Shack, this will be its second location. The restaurant opened two years ago in Redding near the corner of Cypress Avenue and Churn Creek Road. Chicken Shack opened a second location in Redding in the Placer Heights center at Buenaventura and Placer. But it recently closed.

EL NINO, THE CRIME FIGHTER

So says Redding Vice Mayor Brent Weaver.

I interviewed Weaver for last week’s update on the Redding Inn, which was sued by the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office in November.

I mentioned to Weaver that at least one merchant believes all the rain has helped conditions in the area surrounding the downtown motel.

“I think, personally, El Nino is one of our strongest crime deterrents,” Weaver said. “So much rain for such a long time, it probably has an effect on some of these individuals and where they hang out.”

As for the weather, it’s expected to hit the high 70s Monday.

Reporter David Benda can be reached at 225-8219 or david.benda@redding.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS.

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