Best of the East Bay
I know it’s spring when I get the urge to plant things. Don’t mistake me - I’m no gardener, but I do like to put a flower or two in the ground. Last weekend, I headed up to Oakland’s most beautiful plant store, Thornhill Nursery, which has been nestled in the hills since 1950. I bought some strawberry starts and some hard-to-kill succulents. We’ll see how it grows…
6250 thornhill dr.
510.339.1311
9-5:30, monday through sunday
Ever feel the need to dress your puggle like a ninja? Now you can. Montclair’s Glamour Paws has finally opened and is now outfitting every the village’s with adorable, one-off sweaters, brightly colored bowls, posh leashes, and the aforementioned doggie martial arts gear. The store also offers custom tags and doggie beds as well as grooming services. From pet carriers to dog paintings, they stock a wide variety of goodies for the upscale animal lover.
And if your feline craves goodies like “CatPuccino,” this is the place to pick up treats. There’s a nice selection of cat toys, too.
2052 mountain blvd.
510.338.0144
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Over on Park Blvd, Wags and Whiskers has also opened. I think that brings the number of new pet-related businesses to… Who can even count anymore? The boutique and pet bakery Pawsture opened at 576 Grand Ave several months ago, and I just noticed Just Pet Me at 2545 Broadway, too. They offer doggie daycare and long-term boarding as well as a pet spa.
pawsture bakery & boutique
576 grand ave
510.832.1430
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And now, I declare a moratorium on writing about Oakland’s pet businesses. If you launch one, don’t let me know before March.
Jeff, co-owner of Farmstead with his wife, wrote in to tell OaklandGoods that they plan to have the shop up and running just after the first of the year. They are also the team behind Alameda’s Farmstead Cheeses and Wines in the Alameda Marketplace, and after four years of going strong, they decided to expand their business into their Oakland neighborhood.
That’s the update! If you have storefront or other Oakland events and business news, pass it along to editor@oaklandgoods.com.
With a couple of neighboring storefronts vacant, it was sad to think that Montclair’s The Knitting Basket, home to every color yarn imaginable, would close. But over the summer the shop held a going out of business sale. Luckily, that quickly turned into an inventory reduction sale as the business was sold to people with plans to keep it running.
The new owners are carrying a busy class schedule and planning to do something the old owners did not - have Sunday hours. The new Sunday schedule begins this weekend, on Nov. 3. But of course, you don’t have to wait until then to stop in and check out the newly streamlined merchandise and uncluttered displays. Shop for supplies or finished knitted pieces including brightly colored caps and sweaters.
the knitting basket
2054 mountain blvd.
339.6295
image from fromageblog.com
Posted in the window of the former tobacconist on LaSalle in Montclair, there’s a sign reading “Farmstead Cheese and Wine, coming January 2008.” The village is already served by a wine shop and an AG Ferrari, which has a pretty good supply of Italian cheeses, but a little competition should spice up the selection in town. I say bring on the chevre!
Anyone out there have any tips about when this Montclair pet groomery is opening? They’ve moved forward from the awning banner to a nice sign on the building, but the windows are still all papered up…
If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, check out the fashion show at Drift Denim on Saturday night. Champagne will flow.
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If you’re starving in the hills, the long-awaited Aguavero has opened on Mountain Blvd. in Montclair. Tequila lovers are spilling out onto the street.
Under new ownership and grandly re-opened, the new Montclair Malt Shop looks delicious on its sunny corner. The clutter, charming though it may have been, is gone, replaced by sleek countertops and wide windows. No more will orange-haired troll dolls watch you order your fro-yo.
Serving Bud’s Ice Cream and Ambrosia frozen yogurt, the shop has also added espresso drinks to its menu. And there are snacks for everyone, even dieters and the lactose intolerant - organic energy bars, fruit juice, and gourmet chocolate round out the menu.
What’s missing? The free pickles for pregnant women. But once you’re lost in your chocolate malt, you’ll never notice.
montclair malt shop
2066 mountain blvd
510.338.1886
