Unique New Stores Opened in Dunsmuir

Sometimes,  businesses leave but there are always other new and different businesses to fill its place in the popular tourist town of Dunsmuir.

In recent years, Dunsmuir has had a lot of empty storefronts.  But of late, there are some really interesting and fun stores starting to open up in the downtown area. 

Take the Gold Stitch Store for example: Located at 4120 Pine Street on the lower side of Dunsmuir Avenue  (where the tattoo shop used to be) next door to the Cobra Lily. 

Shawn Simons and Chelsea Lakis created this custom felt hat workshop along with a vintage clothing store to suit the specific needs of people with unique styles and tastes for dressing up. 

The Gold Stitch Store opened in March of this year.  Shawn Simon has been making custom hats for 8 years. Using domestic wool that is made in the US, rabbit fur felt, and nutria fur felt which is actually an invasive species in the US so it is a very ecological fur to use. “I use specialized tools to measure an individual’s head circumference which makes it a very bespoke process tailored for the individual.” says Simon, who has a background in fabrication and has a collection of specialized antique tools along with his own designed tools for his craft. These unique hats are botanically dyed with local plants for color. His art background was making felt footwear in Austria. Through the years, he moved up to making hats. 

His wife Chlsea Lakis, wanted to be a fashion designer. She got a degree in art (BFA) at Chico State and says that this is the best job she has ever had. Her vintage clothing is varied, colorful, and unique. 

Their store hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM. To reach them for assignments call them at  (530) 945-0204 or email at [email protected].

Another fun new business is Dunsmuir Springs Day Spa. It is located at 5855 Dunsmuir Ave. This new business is officially opening up during Dunsmuir’s 2nd Saturday on July 13th. 

With 22 years experience, including as an educator in State Board procedures in esthetics, Selena Choate, a certified esthetician and cosmetologist, will also have two massage therapists on board: Valerie Mills and Cameron Brooks. Dunsmuir Springs Day Spa gives manicures, pedicures, and all kinds of skin care including body wraps, and body scrubs using all professional plant based products. They will have the salt deprivation float tank with an infrared sauna. Schedule a facial, chemical peel, micro derma brasions and hydro-oxygenating facials in a very open, upbeat, spacious yet private spa setting. Health and wellness is the focus with natural plant-based products customized for each individual.

She also works with fat cell detoxification, weight loss, anti inflammatory issues and autoimmune issues.   Her professional skincare products are from the Tuel line and include Balance, Moisture, Detox, Calm, Super Smooth, Power Scrub, Reuse, and Eye Correct which are all anti aging, calming, plant based skin care.

Ten years ago, this was just a dream, but Selena Choate coordinated these events to bring Dunsmuir Springs Day Spa to a reality.

There have been lots of changes among Dunsmuir’s restaurants also.  Known as the best town in Siskiyou County to go to for its variety of great restaurants such as The Wheelhouse, Dunsmuir Brewery, Yaks on the 5, Penny’s, Railroad Park Resort and DIning Car Restaurant,  Sten’s Burger Strand, Burger Barn, Cobra Lily Bar and Bottle, Pizza Factory, and  All Aboard Espresso.   Recently, a couple of those favorite eating places have closed like Cafe Maddalena and the CornerStone Bakery.  Again, Dunsmuir in its ever-changing and growing tourist town of adventures is having some positive changes and additions going on in the restaurant world: Tootsie’s Breakfast Spot at 5853 Dunsmuir Avenue has recently opened and there are plans for an ice cream parlor opening soon.