There are few Oakland residents who haven’t heard of Oaklandish. Bringing local pride to our closets for over a decade, the brand has become synonomous with love for our city. Through the years they have built upon their early roots in public art projects to include 2 Oaklandish retail locations and a partner brand “Never Say Elsewhere”. Oaklandish further expanded last year with the opening of Oakland Supply Co., a concept shop in Oakland’s Waterfront Warehouse District focused on quality craftsmanship and American Made Goods.
The return to US-based production has gained a lot of momentum in recent years. Artisans and specialty craftsman have led the way in shifting our culture of consumerism back towards an appreciation for these types of small scale, high quality goods. Inside Oakland Supply Co., you will find amazing examples of these types of wares; everything from leather, jewelry, and bags to even gourmet food items. There is something for both the men and women on your holiday shopping list. Product is merchandised in a rugged and classic way, a masculine vintage feel with industrial touches. All of it is on display against an amazing backdrop of Oakland history.
There is plenty of Oakland love available on the shelves as well. Hats, books, artwork, as well as Oakland Supply Co. branded items such as tees, glassware, and totes are all great options for friends and family who love our city just as much as we do.
After finishing up in the store, I had the pleasure of getting a tour of the “back of the house”, where the nuts & bolts of Oaklandish sits. Floor to ceiling shelves of product lined the walls and the crew was hard at work on the presses, cranking out T-Shirts with that now iconic logo that we all know and love.
The brand’s civic pride is further visible in the building that they now occupy. The store and headquarters sit in the historic American Bag Company building on 3rd Street. A beautiful brick structure, the company that once sat within its walls is still legible on its facade. The American Bag & Union Hide Company operated in the building from 1912 to 1988. The building is on the National Registry of Historic Places.
I truly enjoyed my visit to Oakland Supply Co. The hospitality I received was lovely and goes to show that what drives a brand to success is the people behind it. Of course with a city like Oakland as your muse, how can you go wrong?
Head to Oakland Supply Co. and support an awesome local company working to support wonderful artisans and craftsman!
Oakland Supply Co. is located at 291 3rd Street in the warehouse district of Jack London.
Phone: (510) 690-8880 / Website: oaksupply.co
Hours: Wed-Fri 11:00am-7:00pm / Sat 10:00am-7:00pm / Sun 10:00am-6:00pm
Photo Credits: All photos by Adrienne Schell
4 Comments
If you only knew how bad the OaklandISH Company is for other retailers in Oakland as well as their own staff, you would not have posted this well written piece.
Hi Tyler – there is a link at the bottom of my site with my email, feel free to email me to share your concerns if you would like. Thanks!
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