These are some of The Modesto Bee reporters’ favorite small businesses
I don’t need a reason to highlight Modesto-area businesses, thanks to my job title. But National Small Business Week gives me the opportunity to be slightly biased.
I haven’t met a business owner whose story, enthusiasm and craft I did not respect. And I frequent a number of the businesses I write about.
The following businesses are some of my, and other Modesto Bee reporters’, favorite small businesses in Stanislaus County.
Dominique Williams, business reporter
If you want to find me, you have a good chance of catching me at Modesto Grub Hubs on Ninth Street. I’m there often. There’s nothing I love more than a bunch of culinary options in one spot — and I am sure to take advantage of the assortment. (If my nutritionist is reading this, that was a joke.) There’s one spot at the food truck court that I never leave without ordering from. Twisties Pretzels is one of my favorite small businesses in Stanislaus County because the quality is unmatched, and that comes from a longtime supporter of Auntie Anne’s and Wetzel’s Pretzels. You won’t see pretzels on display in a case because Twisties makes its fresh to order. An employee once recommended an almond pretzel with cream cheese and caramel on the side. It’s now my go-to.
Hughson is not a super-quick weeknight drive from where I live in Ripon to get dinner. That never stops me from visiting Anne’s Fish & Chips at 2413 Third St. I am partial to restaurants with recipes that have been passed down generations, and that is the case at Anne’s — a restaurant named after the owner’s grandmother, who emigrated from England in the ‘70s and opened fish-and-chip places in the Bay Area. The menu is simple, the recipes are perfected and the service is welcoming. Anne’s now has a food trailer that you can find at Modesto breweries and events.
Andy Alfaro, photographer
If Alfaro didn’t name CariBlue Restaurant as one of his favorite small businesses, I would have. Alfaro said he loves the slow-cooked oxtail, and I agree. Any diet you walk into the restaurant with will go out the window. The flavors are irresistible. CariBlue also won The Modesto Bee’s best new restaurant of 2024 poll. The Jamaican restaurant is next to Starbucks at 3801 Yosemite Blvd. in Modesto.
Paper Moon Stationery and Art Supply is another one of Alfaro’s, and other Bee reporters’, favorite small businesses. It carries a lot of unique items you can’t find anywhere else. It even has a pen station where you can go and test pens.
Kathleen Quinn, civics and democracy reporter
Meeple Valley is a family-run hobby store at 115 Mark Randy Place, Suite A, in Modesto. Quinn said it’s one of her favorite small businesses because the community at the store is very close-knit and welcoming to newcomers. Owners Rob and Bob Van Tuinen have a good selection of board games and will teach you how to play them.
Black Orchid is another of Quinn’s favorites. The microbrewery is dog-friendly, the owners will walk you through beer selections and what’s coming up, and the brew master is creative, she said. Black Orchid, at 2101 Sylvan Ave., Suite 106A, in Modesto, hosts trivia nights and other events and has a committed group of local customers.
Julietta Bisharyan, equity reporter
Oakdale Cheese & Specialties, at 10040 CA-120 in Oakdale, is one of Bisharyan’s favorite businesses because it has a good selection of cheese, she said. She enjoys petting the farm animals in the outdoor area, which she describes as “a vibe.”
Bisharyan also likes Rodin Ranch Farmers’ Market at 1001 J St. in Modesto. She said it has unique snacks that are local, and she likes its to-go salads and fruit cups when she needs a quick snack.
Deke Farrow, local news editor
Super Gyros, at 2252 McHenry Ave. in Modesto, simply serves jampacked gyros at an unbeatable price, Farrow said. He’s also had its beef and vegetable skewers, its shawarma (both beef and chicken), and various platters. “All are filling and tasty,” Farrow said. “A heads-up on one thing. He doesn’t take debit or credit, but does take payment through Zelle — and cash, of course.” Robinson Autoworks, in the McHenry Avenue space that once was the Montgomery Ward auto repair center, is “that precious commodity you hang onto once you’ve found it: an honest, knowledgeable mechanic,” Farrow said. He and his family have been using Robinson’s for over a decade and have been “very pleased” with Robinson’s professionalism and friendliness.
Carlos Virgen, senior editor
Chinn’s International has a laid-back and welcoming vibe. “You can walk in wearing shorts and a T-shirt or all dressed up before a show at the Gallo Center and you will feel right at home,” Virgen said. Beyond the regularly updated list of beer on tap and in cans, you’ll get a great selection of shareable plates, including Chinn’s “fantastic” smash burger and chow mein. “On Saturdays, look for their delicious pizza selection,” Virgen said. Chinn’s International is at 1205 J St. in Modesto. It was nominated for The Modesto Bee’s best hangout poll and best pizza poll.
Show up to Contentment Brewing Company, at 208 Campus Way in Modesto, to catch a San Francisco Giants or L.A. Dodgers game on one of its TV screens while you sample the selection of beers, Virgen advises. “Their Motown Pils is great,” he said. Or you can grab your beer and head over to the shuffleboard table, outside to the pickleball court or grab some quarters and play pinball. Of course, Contentment has your food needs covered with a regular selection of vendors that pull up. You might even listen to some live music, a DJ, or vinyl records played on the house turntable.
Atmika Iyer, education reporter
Mobaak Aroma Co. is Iyer’s favorite place to gift shop. She said whether it’s Mother’s Day, a birthday or Christmas, Mobaak’s seasonal scents across its handmade candles, soaps and more make for a wonderful addition to any present. “A soap bar in a friend’s favorite color or scent along with a seasonally scented candle is always appreciated,” she said. “Add a stop at Bookish Modesto for a selection from the giftee’s favorite book genre and you’ve got a three-part gift, and all of them purchased locally.” Speaking of Bookish, The Modesto Bee recently launched a book club in partnership with the store. Mobaak is now in McHenry Village, and Bookish is in Roseburg Square. Iyer went with friends to Camp 4 Wine Café, at 1508 10th St. in Modesto, for her 24th birthday and said they had a wonderful time. As a nine-person party, the group was seated in the back, which Iyer said offered some nice privacy. “We had a couple bottles of a French brut and my favorite red wine syrah, and I really liked both,” she said. “And their food was amazing. When they found out we were celebrating a birthday, they brought out some free dessert, too. It’s a great place to stop for good wine, good food and really kind people running the place.”
Pat Clark, entertainment editor
“I crave shopping for little decorative items for autumn and Christmas,” Clark said. “Even though the weather is usually still summer-hot in September, I head to Farmer’s Daughter in McHenry Village — a great place for people who want to browse or buy for any season.” Clark said the shop is filled with unique, lovely items to add to her ever-growing collection. Once Thanksgiving is over, Clark said, she “can’t help (herself), it’s the same visit for Christmas.”
Dynasty Garden serves “delicious Chinese food with generous portions,” Clark said. The restaurant, at 3500 Coffee Road in Modesto, is cozy and offers fast service, dine-in or takeout, and a friendly team. She said she loves the orange chicken and chow mein.
Maria Figueroa, consumer trends and workforce reporter
Owner of The Taste Studio, Stephanie Oyervides, not only designs custom wedding dresses but also her own line of clothing made and sold in Modesto. She offers sewing classes, ranging from basics about the machine and stitches to an intermediate level with a detailed sewing project. “I was first introduced to Oyervides when I commissioned a custom outfit for a trip abroad and was overjoyed at the final result and craftsmanship,” Figueroa said.
Another of Figueroa’s favorite small businesses is Waterford Pet Hospital. She said the staff is really caring, very attentive and goes above and beyond. The pricing is also fair, she said.
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