Paradise residents heartbroken over Paradise Holiday Market announced closing

PARADISE, Calif. — Devastating news for the Paradise community after residents learned that their long-time Holiday Market located on 6848 Skyway is scheduled to close for good at the end of January.

Many residents from Magalia, Paradise, Chico and Concow visited the market to shop and eagerly waited to purchase deli sandwiches Tuesday.

Northstate Grocery, Inc President, Brad Askeland, said it was a difficult decision to make after all their effort and determination to overcome the 2018 Camp Fire that hit the small local community and the surrounding neighborhoods. According to Askeland, many residents moved out of Paradise after the Camp Fire, which affected the foot traffic in the customer base.

Native residents expressed their devastation learning the news about the store closing and are heartbroken about the decision.

Carole Bass of Magalia said she moved to Paradise in October 2018. Bass said she lost her home and possessions in the Camp Fire and only made it out of the fire with her pet dog. She decided not to rebuild and kept the property but moved to Magalia.

"My friend heard it on the news last night. I'm devastated. I mean, there's no other words," said Bass. "The people here are wonderful, the store is wonderful, and I'm able to come here and get 99.9% of the things I need, and I don't think of going anywhere else."

"There is a SAV MOR Foods in Magalia, but it's not the same. I was devastated when my friend told me. There's no place up here if they were to open a store in Chico; I would make the drive," said Bass.

Keith Bristow has lived in Paradise for 36 years. He said he was heartbroken when he learned the news. "Holiday market has been here for 50 years and has essentially been a part of our community. I don't know how we would do without it. It's quality over quantity. They have friendly people and friendly service, and I've always gotten a good product here."