MAD MONK CENTER FOR ANACHRONISTIC MEDIA Ken Sarachan’s Mad Monk Center for Anachronistic Media threw open its doors in April after years of construction. The spacious space at 2454 Telegraph Ave. that formerly housed Cody’s Books now holds thousands of used books and LPs (brought from the basement of Rasputin’s down the street). There are no CDs or DVDs, only “analog” media. Thus the name. Sarachan has said he has plans to install a café and music venue in the space, but those elements have not arrived yet. Bookmarks, T-shirts, and book bags are also on the way.
NEEKO OPENS ITS DOORS Neeko, a woman’s clothing boutique at 2505 San Pablo Ave. near Dwight, opened its doors a few months ago. The owner, Ashley Ford, hails from the midwest and has created a “serene space” filled with clothing and jewelry she has handpicked from designers around the country. The store has a definite bohemian feel. Ford also offers some home decor items and cars. All of the dresses are less than $100, according to this enthusiastic article.
SERENA & LILY OPEN OUTLET STORE Serena & Lily, a high-end home décor shop with locations in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Westport, Conn., and East Hampton, N.Y. has opened an outlet in Berkeley at 2236 San Pablo Ave. between Bancroft Avenue and Allston Way. This is the second sojourn in Berkeley for the company. It had a pop-up outlet on Tenth Street for a short while in 2014. The new store will carry the company’s signature textiles, as well as some of its well-regarded home décor line including light fixtures and furniture, much of it overstock or considered “seconds.” There will also be discontinued items and goods that were used for photo shoots. The Sausalito-based company was founded in 2003 by Serena Dugan, a textile designer, and Lily Kanter, an entrepreneur.
BIKETOPIA OPENS ANNEX The Biketopia Community Workshop, the all-volunteer group that specializes in helping people learn to fix their own bikes, has opened an annex at 1708A Martin Luther King Jr. Way near Virginia Street. The workshop’s original location at 1752 Alcatraz Ave. near Adeline Street will still be used for workshops and repairs and the new location will focus on selling used bikes. (And for much-needed storage). (h/t William Newton).
BODY OPTIONS HAS CLOSED For decades, Body Options at 3212 College Ave. near Alcatraz Avenue has provided chic and affordable women’s’ clothing to the fashionably minded. Its tag line was “For your casual lifestyle.” Now the store has shut its doors. The store held a huge blow-out sale before the end, marking some items down 90%. (Hat-tip: Sean Rouse)
In case @berkeleyside is having a shop talk column, they’re going out of business &… https://t.co/QJ6HhbxhfN pic.twitter.com/48MabUko4S
— Boosted, mask wearing Yoda (@seanyodarouse) June 22, 2016
WILLIAM STOUT BOOKS We were sad to report in January that William Stout Books on Solano Avenue had shut its doors after five years. But now there is good news to report. Bill Stout, the owner, has opened a new store inside the company’s Richmond warehouse. The bookstore at 1328 S. 51st. St, Richmond, will be open Thursdays through Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The San Francisco store at 804 Montgomery St. is still going strong and carries a tremendous array of architectural books.
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.
