LINDGREN’S COFFEE & CAFE We tipped you off in September that a new coffee shop was coming to downtown Berkeley, and now it’s here (hat-tip to David Sanger for the alert). Lindgren’s Coffee and Café, which has opened at 2120 Dwight Way just off Shattuck, roasts its own coffee, and offers fresh pastries (baked in-house), sandwiches, beer and wine, as well as coffee of course. There’s also free wifi.
MVMNT STUDIO A new urban dance space has opened at 2973 Sacramento St. near Ashby. MVMNT Studio describes itself as a creative space that provides training, facilities and encouragement in urban art forms such as capoeira, breaking, house dancing and street art. MVMNT or “Movement” began as a dancer/artist based night in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, WA. The studio’s 1,800 sq ft open floor space is also available to rent. Check out MVMNT’s Facebook page for the latest schedule of classes and events. [Hat-tip: Sofia Zander]
THE OTHER CHANGE OF HOBBIT The Other Change of Hobbit reports via social media that it has been served with eviction papers. Calls to the bookstore, which specializes in fantasy and science fiction, had not been returned at press time. A Facebook posting on Jan. 31 said the owners were looking for cheap local storage. The Other Change of Hobbit moved to 3264 Adeline St. from downtown in 2010. We’ll keep you posted.
ARABICA A new restaurant is going into the space formerly occupied by Great China at 2115 Kittredge St. As tipped previously, the owners of next-door Razan’s are opening a Mediterranean-food eatery and its name is Arabica. No word yet on opening date. (Great China, which suffered a serious fire in January 2012, is renovating the old Looney’s BBQ spot on Bancroft, with a scheduled opening date of this spring.)
PARKING VALIDATION A new parking validation system called e-VAL is being tried out in downtown Berkeley which, if merchants sign up, could mean discounted or even free parking for customers. The program works with the Center Street and Oxford Street parking garages and can be applied to parking by the hour or more. Details sent out to downtown businesses can be read here.
SLIVER PIZZERIA Sliver, which opened in the former Bar Sportivo space at 2132 Center St. last month, is having its Chamber of Commerce-supported opening party and ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 5-6 p.m. There will be free slices of pizza and live jazz. Sliver is run by three Cheeseboard Pizza alumni and serves artisanal pizza and fresh seasonal salads with a social mission. Sliver has partnered with Not For Sale and other anti-slavery organizations to empower the fight against human trafficking around the world by donating a portion of their profits to these deserving organizations.
Shop Talk is Berkeleyside’s 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.
If you’re interested in restaurant and food businesses in particular, check out Bites, Berkeleyside Nosh’s regular column in which we post updates on East Bay food news.
