SOLE REPAIR Back in January, we reported that Marmot Mountain Works, near Ashby Station, was due to close. And indeed it came to pass last month. But, be aware that climbing shoe repair services are still being offered there. How? Because Tom Wandall, the chap who had operated that service as a Marmot staff member, has taken over the lease of the space (which is in the building also occupied by 5th String, next door Marmot), bought the equipment and is now operating as Berkeley Resole. Wandall offers repairs and custom work for climbing shoes, approach shoes, technical mountaineering boots, Birkenstocks, and more. Check Berkeley Resole out in situ or on Facebook.
NEW THERAPY No sooner had the space at 2951 College Avenue been vacated by fashion designer Keneoue Vivere, than it has been scooped up by a new tenant. Lifestyle store Therapy is setting up shop as we write in the old hardware store and should open by week’s end. Therapy, a chain of retailers that sells clothing, home decor, gifts and more, has eight stores around the Bay Area, including three in San Francisco. Landlord Tad Laird says the store secured a permit despite the Elmwood’s strict quota rules because the city found it didn’t fit into any quota categories.
COMING SOON Stephanie Pardee tips us off to what looks like a new restaurant on San Pablo. She writes: “I was walking on San Pablo on the west side of the street between Delaware and Virginia and I noticed that the space that used to house Spud Brothers (this was years ago) is being spiffed up as a really tiny little restaurant. The space is right next to Svenson’s Volvo repair.” We await more info on this one. There is also a store called Garden Shack going in next door to Café Leila just down the street. Anyone got the skinny?
IT’S ALL GREEK… A new Greek restaurant will open tomorrow at 2518B Durant Avenue next to Manhattan Pizza in the space formerly occupied by falafel place Fa-la-la. Souvlaki Greek Traditional Food is described by its general manager, Alicia Franzolini, as serving “traditional Greek quick foods” with with an authentic taste as the owners are all Greek.
…THIS WEEK According to a snippet in Tablehopper, the Greek restaurant group Simply Greek may be opening up a third location at 2929 Shattuck Avenue, currently the site of Rocky’s Burger and Cheese Steaks. Permits have certainly be filed. Simply Greek currently has two restaurants: one on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland and the other in Pleasanton.
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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