Shop Talk: The ins and outs of Berkeley businesses

LOCAL BREWS Peet’s Coffee & Tea has introduced two very Berkeley-centric blends: Café Solano and Café Domingo, in honor of two of their Berkeley stores on Domingo Avenue and Solano Avenue. Café Domingo is described as a smooth, balanced and medium-bodied Latin American blend “with hints of toffee sweetness and a clean, crisp finish”. While Café Solano is “a lively and aromatic medium roast coffee. Perfectly rounded with floral notes and a subtle fruit essence”. Peet’s was, of course, founded in Berkeley in 1966, and is about to open its 9th store in the city on the corner of College Avenue and Alcatraz.

MIX IT UP Amanda West, owner of the shuttered Amanda’s Feel Good Fresh Food, is making a low-key comeback with the launch of a new collection of drinks, known as Amanda’s Freshly Made Sodas. As one would expect from someone who espouses the concept of healthy food, the mixes contain fresh fruit and no sugar. They are currently stocked  in the refrigerator case of Almare Gelato at 2170 Shattuck Avenue. More distribution channels are on the cards.  [Hat-tip: Elizabeth Jordan]

SMART ART We reported on the imminent opening of Collector at the beginning of the month. The new art gallery in the Elmwood is now open and holding a grand opening celebration on Saturday, November 5, 6-8 p.m. Collector is aimed at consumers who want to buy original art but are priced out of the fine-art gallery world. “We felt there was a gap between mass-produced posters and what the fine art galleries offered,” said co-owner Christina Begley. Prices start at $15 and local artist Mary Burger has work in the opening show, along with ten other Bay Area artists. Collector is at 2950 College Avenue at Ashby (next door to Ici Ice Cream).

TRADING STATION Transition Berkeley’s Crop Swap, in which neighbors have been sharing produce and seedlings they raised this past summer, is expanding to include books and clothing for children and adults starting on Saturday November 5th. Bring books and/or clothing – clean and in good condition — that you are no longer using. Trade jeans for sweaters, Shakespeare for Michael Pollan. Go home with a new outfit and a new read. Transition is also hoping people will start planting vegetable seeds and bring seedlings to swap for winter gardens. The swap is on the Ohlone Greenway at Delaware and Sacramento, across from the North Berkeley BART, 10:00  to 11:00 a.m.

Shop Talk is our regular column in which we post updates on Berkeley businesses — openings, closings, new directions, relaunches, relocations. If you’re a Berkeley business with news, or a Berkeleysider who has spotted a change in your neighborhood or on your travels, shoot us an email with the details. Read previous Shop Talk columns here.

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