Having gratitude has never had so much meaning to me as this holiday. 2020 for most of us was no joke!
As we go into the holiday season which will look and feel different than others. You have a community around you that still wants and needs your involvement. Below is a small list of Local businesses that can really use our help. Many have websites if you are not going out and if you can't get things in time for the holidays with shipping delays, just a note to let people know you care can be just as appreciated.
Even though the next few weeks are a little less busy than usual it may be a great time to have a zoom check in call to discuss things like Your Home Equity and Value, upcoming changes to Home Insurance (due to recent fires), Earthquake Insurance and Refinancing. It may also be a great time to schedule renovations or repairs.
I am here and ready to assist with any of the above and I look forward to 2021 when we can all be together again.
With new found appreciation for the smallest things, I wish you a safe, happy and healthy holiday and new year.
- Simon
Shop Local
The diversity of the East Bay is quite inspirational - it offers a little something for everyone. To protect the variety of local businesses that make our community unique, let's choose to buy from small businesses we know and love. Here are a few that we hope you'll want to support this year.
Foodies & Chefs
For food lovers in your life, here are a few local eateries we think they'll enjoy:
- La Farine French Bakery in Oakland
- Oaktown Spice Shop in Albany, Oakland and Castro Valley
- Casa de Chocolates in Berkeley
- El Cerrito Natural Grocery in El Cerrito and Berkeley
- Batch Pastries in Oakland
- 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
- The Xocolate Bar 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
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
- 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
- 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:
- Greetings in Berkeley and Oakland
- Jenny K in El Cerrito
- Fern's Garden in Berkeley
- Ceci Bowman in Berkeley
- Umami Interiors in Albany
- MorningTide in Albany
- Tail of the Yak in Berkeley
- 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.
