Naked Lounge Chico
Naked Lounge embraces the unconventional, the off-center, the unique, the self-starters, and the idea-generators. We think for ourselves and encourage everyone around us to do the same.
Inexplicably, some businesses simply are the towns where their foundations were poured. Not only is Naked Lounge in Chico but Naked Lounge somehow is Chico. From my earliest memory, this coffee shop nestled in the heart of downtown has been the pulse of the town. Beatniks have sat out front enjoying a smoke that gently drifts in, alongside professors who rely on caffeine between classes. Students amble sleepily in and order a Bowl of Soul to keep them awake just long enough to finish their assignment. So when this beloved haven went up for sale, Brandon Squyres knew that despite a pandemic and many unknowns, he had to save it.
“From ages 16-20, I was literally right in front of here every single night of my life. My mom has a store downtown, so we’d hang around and watch shows. Music is my passion and I love playing, so I wanted a place where people could perform,” Brandon tells me.
Holes in the floor formed under the old musty velvet couch legs, grooved deeply from years of wear, and rotting joists were first on Brandon’s fix-it list. Luckily, he’s a contractor and intimidating renovations aren’t a deterrent. Building a stage, striking tile accent walls and expanding the kitchen in preparation for light fare came next. Furniture was replaced with clean modern lines and the walls were painted a fresh white, but Brandon and his partners left the integrity.
“We aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel. We bought it because we liked how it was,” he explains. Adding to the charm, Naked Lounge has a deep rooted history that started long before espresso was involved. In the 70’s, this building housed a women’s clothing store called Sun West and after that became alive with the jarring sounds of an arcade. People came with coins jingling in their flared denim pockets to play at Electric Fantasy. “We found coins under the stage,” Brandon says with a glimmer in his eyes. Then it became Pegasus — a hippy clothing store that sold crystals. Naked Lounge opened in 2001 and has been slinging foam topped magic ever since.
My relationship with Naked Lounge as a Chico local, has changed over the years along with the seasonal menus. In my childhood, my mom would often stop by “the lounge” for a chai on her way to the Saturday morning farmers market. I vividly remember believing that people sat around serenely, drinking their morning coffee stark naked. This wouldn’t have been too unorthodox for my Greek bohemian mom and still erupts a laugh when she reminds me that I would get nervous joining her. In college, I spent countless nights at the wooden tables in the back mulling over modern American literature assignments and creative writing. It has and will continue to be, an idyllic space for deep work or conversation.
It doesn’t stop at inviting beverages — a new addition to the future lineup will be beer, wine and sandwiches. When Brandon first started musing about purchasing Naked Lounge, he knew he needed a strong group of partners. Cue the owners of Momona — Michael Lee, Sarah Schlobohm and Mahina Gannet. Sometimes, the most serendipitous teams are the ones you don’t expect. With a unique set of skills, this crew is sure to delight and surprise us all.
As I finished my creamy vanilla latte, I had one final question for Brandon. “If you closed your eyes and thought about Naked Lounge, what would you see? Smell? Hear?” He pushed his long hair back and willingly closed his eyes. “I see work. It’s been insane. Hear hmm I think of music in general. I just want to see people playing music. I love it so much and we haven’t been able to and it’s killing me. And it smells like coffee.” I laugh. He opens his eyes. Back to work.
So whether you walk through the curved arched doors for a spicy Mexican Mocha, no-nonsense Americano, or soothing Cambro tea — one thing never changes. The quality of coffee, creativity and community is at the forefront here. Take a sip. Breathe it in.
Photos by the amazing Michelle Camy
