The diversity of the East Bay is quite inspirational – it offers a little something for everyone. We know that many restaurants and small businesses have folded as a result of the pandemic, and others are having a difficult time staying open. To protect the variety of local businesses that make our community unique, let’s choose to buy from small businesses we know and love. And it’s a sustainable alternative to the added, and often excessive, packaging and carbon footprinit of ordering online. Here are a few that I hope you’ll want to support this year. And if you visit stores like The Gardener, Sur la Table, or Bette’s Diner, you get to enjoy some of the best holiday lights in the Bay Area!
Foodies & Chefs
For food lovers in your life, here are a few local eateries you may enjoy:.
- The Xocolate Bar in Berkeley (I am fortunate to have been the recipient of numerous of their items from my dear husband. Their drinking chocolate tablets are fantastic for this time of year!)
- La Farine French Bakery in Oakland
- Bette’s Oceanview Diner in Berkeley on 4th Street
- Oaktown Spice Shop in Albany, Oakland and Castro Valley (another favorite of mine for gift-giving)
- Casa de Chocolates in Berkeley
- El Cerrito Natural Grocery in El Cerrito and Berkeley
- The Chocolate Dragon Bittersweet Cafe and Bakery in Oakland
- Wooden Table Baking Co. in Oakland
- Souley Vegan in Oakland
- Franklin Brothers Market in Berkeley
- Rotha in Albany
- La Note in Berkeley
- Inn Kensington in Kensington
- Saul’s Restaurant & Delicatessen in Berkeley
- Boichik in Berkeley
- Anaviv in Richmond
- La Strada Cucina Italiana in San Pablo
- Arizmendi Bakery in Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, San Rafael and San Francisco
- Sur La Table on 4th Street in Berkeley. This is part of a larger chain, but one that has closed many stores since filing for bankruptcy protection last year. I certainly enjoy having a local store…and you get to enjoy the holiday lights!
For Those Needing to Unwind
Stress abounds in these uncertain times. Consider a few relaxation “techniques”:
- Cask in Berkeley and San Francisco
- Ordinaire Wines in Oakland
- Nickel Dime Cocktail Syrups in Oakland
- Absinthia in Oakland
- Sons of Liberty Alehouse in San Leandro
- Drake’s Brewing Co. in San Leandro and Oakland
- Fieldwork Brewing in Berkeley
- Naveana Nail Salon in Albany
- Piedmont Springs in Oakland
Coffee & Tea Lovers
Stay warm during those cold mornings:
- Catahoula Coffee in Richmond and Berkeley
- Timeless Coffee in Oakland and Berkeley
- Highwire Coffee in Albany, Berkeley, Alameda and Oakland
- Farley’s Coffee in Oakland and San Francisco
- Artis in Berkeley
Bookworms & Audiophiles
Books and music are some of the best ways to buy local:
- Pegasus Books in Berkeley and Oakland
- Builders Booksource in Berkeley
- Mrs. Dalloway’s Bookstore in Berkeley (I also love their garden art!)
- East Bay Booksellers in Oakland
- Moe’s Books in Berkeley
- Spectator Books in Oakland
- Walden Pond Books in Oakland
- Dave’s Record Shop in Berkeley
- Stranded in Oakland
Green Thumbs
For your gardening-loving and eco-conscience friends:
- Flowerland in Albany (they get extra points for their marquee messages!)
- Momo’s Flowers and More in Albany
- Orchid Florist in Berkeley
- Berkeley Horticultural Nursery in Berkeley
- Blk Girls Green House in Oakland
- Crimson Horticulture in Oakland
- Mudlab in Oakland
- Fillgood in Berkeley
- Arjan Flowers & Herbs in Oakland
Gift Stores
Having a difficult time thinking of what to get for the hard-to-gift someone? Consider a few special stores:
- Philippa Roberts in Oakland
- Jenny K in El Cerrito
- Fern’s Garden in Berkeley (I have purchased great masks and other local gifts here)
- Ceci Bowman in Berkeley
- Umami Interiors in Albany
- MorningTide in Albany
- Tail of the Yak in Berkeley (It’s a treat just to visit this treasure-trove!)
- The Gardener in Berkeley
- Narrative in Oakland
- Nathan & Co. in Oakland
- Bay-Made in Oakland
- Gathering Tribes in Richmond
- Urban Indigo in Oakland
- Mom & Pop Art Shop in Richmond
- Richmond Art Center in Richmond
- Bart Bridge in Oakland
- Maison d’Etre in Oakland
- Halmar in Berkeley
- Lava 9 in Berkeley
- Yaza in Berkeley
- Siamese Dream in Berkeley
- 510 Skate Shop in Berkeley
- Creep Mustache Skate Shop in Oakland
- Games of Berkeley in Berkeley
- Luvhaus in Oakland
- Daisy’s in Alameda
This hardly scrapes the surface of what the East Bay has to offer, but it should serve as a helpful resource for your last-minute shopping needs. Let’s do what we can to support our local business and ensure that we uphold the beautiful diversity of our community.
