Local

I had hoped to get this wrapped up sooner, but my own holiday craziness got the better of me.  So, here it is…a nice long list of great shops, ideas and more to help you cap off your 2015 holiday shopping season in local style.  Get out there and enjoy the fun nooks and crannies of our great city!  The below is segmented by neighborhood, I am sure I am missing some so if a favorite store of yours isn’t on the list, shoot me a note and I will add it on!  Check links below for exact locations and hours.

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When thinking about the younger generation which occupies so much space on our holiday shopping lists, consider heading out to one of local toy shops our city has to offer.  I certainly know how easy it is to sit and persue Amazon for my kids, but I also like to hit the streets and find gifts at any one of our great local toy shops and children’s stores.  Here is a list of as many as I can find.  Some I have visited, some I have heard of, all of them deserve our business as we try to shop local this holiday season.  Please see links supplied for hours, addresses, and more info.

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As you continue to contemplate your holiday shopping to-do’s, consider a trip to Piedmont Avenue for a visit to an eclectic and inspiring pair of stores envisioned and brought to life by native Oaklander Dana Olson.  Situated on the 4200 block of Piedmont Ave are Good Stock and Neighbor.  Pop into Good Stock where you find lovely jewelry and accessory items to please the ladies on your list.  Head next door to Neighbor, to then find an array of home decor, gift, and garden items.  Make sure to step out back to visit the stocked shed occupied by Preserved, a specialty shop that offers all you could need for food preservation.  These three options combined offer a fabulous one-stop shopping experience.

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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.

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As you consider where to head this coming weekend to kick off the holiday shopping season, put Bella Vita at the top of your list.  Owner Jennifer Viale has created and curated a space filled with beautiful goods for the women and children on your list, all displayed in a whimsical setting full of vintage detail.  She truly is the “Purveyor of Lovely Things”.

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