BAUBLES & BEADS TO CLOSE Baubles & Beads in North Berkeley will be closing its store, probably in March, after 25 years of serving the city. Owners Lisa and Jim Kaufman say the reason is partly due to rising expenses. As they write in a letter to customers: “We have struggled with this decision since the recession of 2009, the closing of our San Rafael location in 2012, and again today with rising costs of rent and operational costs. The success of our website, BaublesAndBeads.com, allowed us to keep our Berkeley bead shop open over the past several years. The decision to close the store was never taken lightly as we fully understand the impact it will have on the local beading community.” Meantime, there are lots of discounts being applied to merchandise. Baubles & Beads is at 1676 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709 Tel: 510 644-BEAD. Connect with Baubles & Beads on Facebook for updates.
WOODBANK MOVES OUT OF BERKELEY WoodBank has moved its business out of Berkeley. The supplier of all products related to wood has left its West Berkeley location, at 772 Gilman St., and is relocating to Oakdale, Ca, with a slated opening date in February. The reason was the loss of the business’s lease after “a long legal battle” with its landlord, according to the owners who posted a note to customers on the Woodbank website. “We have downsized our operations and inventory but still have a wonderful and unique selection of exotic hardwoods, reclaimed lumber and local hardwoods for your projects,” they write. The owners thank the community of Berkeley “for being a great city to develop our business.” The new store will be at 593 S Sierra Ave. Oakdale. [Hat-tip: Eric Friedman.]
ANASTASIA’S OPEN Anastasia’s New & Vintage Clothing, which we tipped you about in September, opened in December on Telegraph Avenue across from Pappy’s. The store is located in an historic building that features a beautiful ceiling mural by Berkeley muralist Ed Monroe. Anastasia’s is at 2360 Telegraph Ave. (between Channing and Durant).
UPRISE CAMPAIGNS Berkeley start-up Uprise Campaigns says it is “working to reinvent political campaigns from the ground up” by “daring to disrupt money in politics.” The new tech start-up is attacking the problem from the demand side — by making it possible to campaign effectively for less money and it has already raised more than $50,000 in one month to kickstart its efforts. “It’s not just about using technology to do the same things more cheaply. We’re completely changing the focus of campaigns away from attack ads toward positive person-to-person outreach,” said UpRise co-founder Antonia Scatton. UpRise aims to be a hybrid social network platform and toolbox that volunteers and campaigns can use to co-manage a wide range of volunteer activities, including both online and offline outreach. Learn more at UpRise’s online fundraising campaign page.
AASSHIAN TRAVEL Aasshian Travel has set up a branch office of its Los Angeles-based travel agency business in Berkeley’s Telegraph Avenue neighborhood. Aasshian describes itself as a service-oriented travel agency with expertise in hospitality services. “Our mission is to find you the trip you desire at the lowest possible price. We are able to book transportation and accommodations in all corners of the globe,” it states on its website. Owner Paramdeep, pictured left with his partner, was offering an $800 special to New Delhi over the winter holidays. Aasshian Travel is at 2437 Durant Ave. in Sather Lane.
Shop Talk is our regular column in which we post updates on Berkeley businesses. 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, and check out Bites for the latest East Bay restaurant news.
