Shop Talk: The ins and outs of Berkeley businesses

MID CENTURY MØBLER OPENS Furniture store Mid Century Møbler has opened in Berkeley (on Ashby Avenue near Orchard Hardware and Looking Glass Photo), having relocated from a small warehouse in San Francisco’s Mission district. Owned by Julian Goldklang, the store specializes in importing vintage Danish Modern and authentic 1950s and 1960s furniture. All its inventory is hand-selected on quarterly buying trips to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, England and Scotland. According to marketing director Tomas Hemstad, the 7,500-square-foot showroom makes the store the largest supplier of vintage furniture in Northern California. Hemstad says that, though they loved San Francisco, the four partners who run the business wanted to continue to grow the company in a location that had “a strong existing design community and more space to expand physically.” “We wanted our new location to be a space where customers could easily come and browse our huge collection. Our new shop also provides a massive space to hold events and workshops, which will be regular happenings in the coming months,” he said. Mid Century Møbler is at 1065 Ashby Ave., Berkeley 94710. Current hours are Friday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., and by appointment the rest of the week. Connect with the store on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

ETHNIC ARTS CLOSING IN 2016 After 39 years selling ethnographic and folk art in Berkeley, Ethnic Arts will close its retail store in 2016. The store, which announced the move via email, will continue through the holiday season and start the closing-up process in January. “We will be here as long as you come in,” wrote the owners. Meanwhile the store will host a number of trunk shows, lectures and parties “with vendors and others who have been part of this Berkeley retail adventure.” And look out for “a delightfully large shipment of David Marsh furniture” that is due to arrive this week. The unloading sale runs from the moment it is unloaded until Oct. 25. The first piece is 10% off, the second is 20% off and three or more is 20% off all. Ethnic Arts expects to receive one final shipment before it closes, so this is the last chance to special-order anything you would like for your home or office. Ethnic Arts is at 2236 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley 94702. Phone: 510-527 5270. Open every day from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Connect with the store on Facebook and Pinterest.      

GLASSYBABY NOW OPEN We told you in July that the charity-oriented Glassybaby was coming to town. Oct. 10 will see the store’s grand opening at at 745 Heinz Ave. The Seattle-based maker of one-of-a-kind, hand-blown, glass votive candle holders and drinking glasses has something of a cult following, we are told, thanks to the company’s simple design, rich colors, hand-crafted appeal and mission-driven commitment to donating 10% of all sales (totaling close to $4 million to date) to nonprofits. Locally, those have included UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Oakland Children’s Hospital and Glide Memorial Church. The new 13,000-square-foot workshop and retail space was designed and built by Berkeley-born architect Matt Stromberg and Richmond-based Oliver & Company. Those who stop by for the grand opening on Sat. Oct. 10, from 10 am to 5 pm, will see glassblowers produce one-of-a-kind designs in an open workshop, and enjoy live music. Glassybaby is at 745 Heinz Ave. (west of Seventh Street). Hours: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Mon-Sat/10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Sunday. Connect with Glassybaby on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram.

2BELLA CLOSING According to the Daily Cal, women’s clothing store 2bella will be shuttering its Telegraph Avenue store later this month, after only being in business there for a year and a half.  The chain, whose other shops are in upscale spots Sausalito, Lake Tahoe, Pasadena, Laguna Beach and Reno, appears to have misjudged the local market. “I think (the reason for low sales is) college budgets, because that’s what we hear pretty much every day,” Carola Summers, co-owner of 2bella, told the Daily Cal. 2bella is at 2332 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley 94704. Phone: 510-529 4519. Hours: 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Friday-Wednesday, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Thursday. Connect on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram,

SPATS IS BACK… MORE FROM BITES Berkeley institution Spats reopened last week. The bar, at 1974 Shattuck Ave., is very recognizable to all its former loyal patrons as it includes the eclectic “Alameda flea market” decor and the iconic Fog Cutter — a tiki-style drink that’s served with dry ice. There is a smart new bar, however, and the place has been spruced up. Eric Lindgren has put Lindgren’s Coffee and Café at 2120 Dwight Way (at Shattuck Avenue) up for sale. Nabolom Collective Bakery has posted a sign on its window stating it is trying to reopen in Dec. 15. Read more about these food-related businesses in the latest Bites column on Nosh.