Closures include the pharmacy on Solano Avenue in Berkeley as well as the branch in Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood.
Joanne Furio
Posted inBusiness
Shop Talk: Beloved Berkeley pet food store loses dogged battle to internet retailers; Modena Salon is moving
Animal Farm Discount Pet Foods was a mainstay on the corner of San Pablo Avenue and Cedar Street for 35 years. Even the owner’s parrot felt it was time to go.
Posted inBusiness
Shop Talk: Burned-down West Berkeley tattoo shop reopens in new spot; Fourth Street boutique Aiken is closing
Philthy Clean Tattoo paints itself a new future downtown. Catch up on this and other Berkeley retail and small business news.
Posted inCommunity
Berkeley’s Ohmega Salvage, famed spot for ‘cool, funky stuff,’ is closing after 49 years
When architectural salvage was cool, Ohmega ruled. Its closing symbolizes the end of an era and changing tastes.
Posted inBusiness
Shop Talk: New Berkeley company sells gender-neutral kids underwear; a backyard dojo
Melanie Dunn created Breaking Stereos after several difficult shopping trips with her daughter. Catch up on this and other Berkeley retail and small business news.
Posted inArts
14 books with Berkeley ties to read in the new year
Hua Hsu’s memoir of his college friendship in the ’90s and histories on Asian Americans and the most Trumpian period in America before Trump are among the recent titles with Berkeley connections.
Posted inBusiness
Shop Talk: Activist who helped free Willy is stepping down at Berkeley’s Earth Island Institute after 40 years; new studio raises eyebrows
David Phillips did more than save whales. He helped spread environmental activism around the world. Catch up on this and other Berkeley retail and small business news.
Posted inArts
Berkeley memoir ‘Bearded Lady’ tells a complex story of self-actualization
In her new book, Allison Landa comes to terms with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (a rare condition causing hirsutism and infertility) and a pair of heavily opinionated parents.
Posted inBusiness
Shop Talk: Ceci Bowman opens her workshop of groovy art and textiles for a holiday sale
At Monsen Silversmiths, Gary Reopelle is busy polishing and repairing metalware for the holidays. Catch up on this and other Berkeley retail and small business news.
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Shop Talk: Bouldering gym opens in converted North Berkeley Walgreens; martial arts school closes after 42 years
All you need is some chalk and climbing shoes to scale heights of around 15 feet at Benchmark Climbing. Catch up on this and other Berkeley retail and small business news.
Posted inBusiness
Berkeley’s Center for Independent Living, which launched the disability rights movement, turns 50
Famous for pushing Berkeley to install the country’s first curb cut, the center has also broken ground with its peer counseling program and now helps around 1,000 people per year.
Posted inBusiness
Shop Talk: Pamana Plantas, family-run plant shop, opens on Solano; Myth & Scissors is dispelled
At Dom Morales’ plant shop, mom and pop help with the displays — and almost everything else. Catch up on this and other Berkeley retail and small business news.