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A kids' store, P.S. from Aeropostale, is coming to the Boise Towne Square mall this spring. It will replace Hickory Farms in a space near the Aeropostale (the one for grown-ups) on the second level of the mall. Look for the new store to open around early May.

To see what they sell, visit the P.S. website.

Reuters had a story yesterday about Chipotle executives mulling a price increase for the popular burrito chain's food. Why? The ripple effect of rising food prices. This news comes as Boise has recently gotten its first Chipotle and Meridian is about to get its own.

What's behind the rising prices? We dug into it last summer and fall, as drought conditions hit local ag producers:

• Corn prices hit Idaho consumers, agriculture
• Chas Bonner: Extreme drought brings mixed results for agriculture
• Edward Lotterman: U.S. drought has far-reaching consequences
• Drought hits Idaho cattle farmers, prompts emergency grazing

Alex Furioso, who took over the local Human Bean coffee franchise after the previous owner shuttered stores suddenly in March 2011, re-opened the store at 12473 W. Chinden Blvd., on Dec. 21.

Furioso currently owns and operates the three other Human Bean drive-through coffee shops in the Treasure Valley. They are at 9162 W. Emerald St., 2100 S. Broadway and 7802 Goddard St.

All of the shops are open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.facebook.com/TheHumanBeanBoise for updates on the shops.

Okay, I exaggerate. But stores at the Boise Towne Square mall — open Tuesday, New Year's Day, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. — are having a bunch of sales to kick off 2013. Here's the latest from a mall spokeswoman (note that "clearance" here means items that are "redline," or at their lowest markdown):

• Dillard's: 50 percent off permanently reduced merchandise (some exceptions)
• Nordstrom Rack: up to 70 percent off
• Teavana: 40 percent to 75 percent off select items
• Francesca's Collections: 60 percent off select items and 30 percent off clearance
  

This weekend, the following stores have joined forces for a "Holiday Hop." They'll have refreshments, and shoppers can enter to win a $175 gift certificate. No purchase is necessary, and shoppers can enter at each store — so up to seven entries. The event runs Friday (today) through Sunday:

• Found Furnishings, 4464 W. Chinden Blvd. 968-1228
• Good Goods, 5865 Glenwood, 377-3027
• L.A. Junk Antiques (formerly Orchard Hill Antiques), 1911 W. State St., 957-5868
• Mr. J's Antiques, 4741 Glenwood, Suite A, 375-7762
• Enchanting Objects (formerly The Shabby House), 4906 W. State St., 853-1005
• Forget-Me-Not Antiques, 1521 N. 13th St. 338-3806
• In Retrospect, 1940 W. State St. (access from Westside Drive In), 344-2163

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, while you're wrapping up — or starting — your holiday shopping, you can park for free in various garages and lots around Downtown Boise. (Metered street parking is free as usual.)

Here are the garages and lots offering free parking, according to the Downtown Boise Association:

The Buy Idaho Holiday Market will offer locally made gifts during First Thursday next month. And while you're Downtown, you can pick up some candy and get that family holiday photo take care of.

Idaho's first Whole Foods Market opened Wednesday morning around 10 a.m. A few observations: When I showed up around 8:15, the parking lot was pretty empty. But by 11 a.m., it was packed. Traffic was being directed through the parking lot. The customers inside were filling their carts and baskets, not just popping in to see what all the hubbub was about. And some of the crowds at sample tables were several people deep. Even so, everyone was very polite and calm.

Photographer Joe Jaszewski took a lot of great shots: Click here for a photo gallery from the opening

Here's one of the sample tables, before the craziness began:

DOMA Coffee (a roaster in Post Falls) employees Jason and Young had four coffee pots going at once.

Massage & Body Boutique on 16th and State streets is now named Wholistic Beauty Boutique. Owner Colleen Fletcher says the name change is in keeping with the company's growth in the past 18 years. The boutique has added holistic products and services such as:

Organic skin care products and cosmetics
Skin and beauty treatments including facials, waxing and eyelash and eyebrow tinting
Gifts
Body wraps
Massage
Reiki
Classes on topics such as making bath salts, essential oils and making cultured foods

Address: 1607 W. State St., Boise
Website: www.wholisticbeautyboutique.com