02.23.07
Posted in OaklandGoods, Downtown at 5:55 am by OaklandGoods
Alessi in the East Bay! Oh sure, they’re carried elsewhere, but I love Alessi and I love pioneers. Marie Deleris, the owner of this wonderful shop, is pioneer in the neighborhood - bringing great home design to downtown with her European style. With her collection of fun housewares and condo-perfect furnishings, the new neighbors will be banging down the door (as soon as they move in!). The store also stocks Koziol kitchen gadgets, Knock Knock brand stationery, and Hue cushions.
But Entrez! isn’t just a store, it’s also a community center of sorts. Deleris, a Parisian by birth and Oaklander by choice, hosts a French conversation group and refers hungry patrons to her neighbor’s cafe. Plus, she promotes Oakland-made goods by keeping a shelf stocked with wares by locals. Tres bien!
entrez! open house
1645 telegraph ave.
510.268.9101
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02.20.07
Posted in OaklandGoods at 10:49 pm by OaklandGoods
Made in Oakland, these delightful candles come in delicious scents like cucumber-melon, jasmine, green tea, and lavender. Produced by a gentleman named Creighton, the Chunks Chandlery candles are available at the Chunks Web site or at Entrez! Open House on Telegraph.
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Posted in OaklandGoods, Grand Lake at 6:26 pm by OaklandGoods
The small boutique that took over the former home of Ear Witness last year is taking over as the best gift shop on Lakeshore Avenue. With a colorful kids’ section that’s full to bursting, Dia de los Muertos statuary, funky cards, antiques, and jewelry, this may be the avenue’s most eclectic mix to date - and it works perfectly.
Our favorite locals-only items are cards featuring vintage and new scenes of Oakland. We also love the prices, which are totally reasonable. Walk out with stylish votive glasses (tea light included) at $5 each, or a sterling necklace for $22. Items are priced to sell, and the store’s success indicates that the locals are set to buy.
urban indigo
3339 lakeshore ave. at trestle glen
510.419.0451
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02.14.07
Posted in GoodEats, Grand Lake at 5:48 am by OaklandGoods
L’Amyx, the popular tea bar on with the cute monkey logo, has opened a second branch on Lakeshore Ave.
Choose from a wide array of teas including black, white, chai, red, green, oolong, pu-erh and many more. I love the silver needles and Moroccan mint varieties. There are also specialty tea drinks and yummy edibles. In fact, tea snacks encompass everything from wasabi peas, mochi, and rice crackers to New York cheesecake and lemon tarts.
What’s most exciting is that there’s finally an independent caffeinated beverage place on Lakeshore again. Since the Jahva House moved, Pete’s and Starbucks have been our only options, so it’s great that there’s a locally-owned shop now, too, especially one that’s planning to stay open ’till midnight.
Downsides? Parking is harder already, and they’ve only been open six days.
In fact, the grand opening is Saturday, and special goodies will be on offer in honor of Chinese New Year.
L’Amyx
3437 lakeshore Ave. at mandana
510.594.8322
10 a.m. to Midnight daily
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02.12.07
Posted in OaklandGoods at 3:57 am by OaklandGoods
I ran into Taylor’s gorgeous designs at a holiday craft event, but she didn’t have the shirt I wanted in my size, so she offered to make a custom one. It arrived three days ago. I’ve worn it twice and gotten several compliments. My boyfriend picked out two of her shirts and they’re in constant rotation. My shirt is pictured at the bottom. “Winter tree” is a double-screened design on an American Apparel shirt. I love the black and white on gray combination. The back of the tee is also screened with the white tree image. Support a local designer and check out Taylor Made goods.
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Posted in GoodLife, Downtown at 12:19 am by OaklandGoods
As in, how cute!
With its eclectic collection of vintage and new, good design and cozy chic, Mignonne is the kind of store we’re lucky to have in Old Oakland. Just down the block from the main drag at 9th, this corner shop was a delight to stumble upon. It would be just as at home on College or in San Francisco, but it’s great to see a truly excellent retail pioneer downtown. Johnelle, the co-owner (with her mom), refinishes antique furnishings and collects vintage dinnerware to supplement the store’s collection of new soaps, candles, stationery, wine glasses, and other assorted goodness. There’s also a featured artist or two in the mix, with jewelry and paintings by locals. Buy all your upcoming birthday gifts here.
mignonne
1000 jefferson st. at 10th
510.444.5288
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