Xiaoyan Lin, a designer who emigrated from China, opens up her garage for one of her seasonal sales. Catch up on this and other Berkeley retail and small business news.
Solano Avenue
Posted inBusiness
Berkeley now has 2 refill shops dedicated to reducing single-use waste
More Berkeley residents will be able to reduce, reuse and recycle with the opening of the city’s second refill shop, on Vine Street.
Posted inBusiness
Shop Talk: Retail vacancy rates remain high; ‘Barbarella’-inspired hair salon has moved
Berkeley’s ground-floor commercial vacancy rates didn’t budge from 2021 to 2022, according to a new city report. Catch up on this and other Berkeley retail and small business news.
Posted inCity
Berkeley power outages: Many residents, businesses still in the dark
PG&E has restored power to most of the homes and businesses that lost it during Tuesday’s storm, but some outages remained Thursday evening.
Posted inBusiness
Pharmaca closing all its stores after Walgreens buys pharmacy chain
Closures include the pharmacy on Solano Avenue in Berkeley as well as the branch in Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood.
Posted inBusiness
Shop Talk: Beloved Berkeley pet food store loses dogged battle to internet retailers; Modena Salon is moving
Animal Farm Discount Pet Foods was a mainstay on the corner of San Pablo Avenue and Cedar Street for 35 years. Even the owner’s parrot felt it was time to go.
Posted inCity
Berkeley approves housing plan, with pledge to upzone wealthy neighborhoods
College, Solano and North Shattuck would be zoned for greater density under the eight-year housing plan adopted by the Berkeley City Council.
Posted inCity
Here’s where the next round of ‘smart kiosks’ could go in Berkeley
Supporters say the devices help people navigate popular Berkeley neighborhoods, while critics say bringing ads into public spaces isn’t worth the revenue the city gains.
Posted inBusiness
Shop Talk: Activist who helped free Willy is stepping down at Berkeley’s Earth Island Institute after 40 years; new studio raises eyebrows
David Phillips did more than save whales. He helped spread environmental activism around the world. Catch up on this and other Berkeley retail and small business news.
Posted inBusiness
Shop Talk: Pamana Plantas, family-run plant shop, opens on Solano; Myth & Scissors is dispelled
At Dom Morales’ plant shop, mom and pop help with the displays — and almost everything else. Catch up on this and other Berkeley retail and small business news.
Posted inCity
Residents return to North Berkeley apartments after local land trust buys back building
The 13-unit Solano Avenue building was subject to an Ellis Act eviction nearly three years ago.
Posted inCity
Helpful resource or tacky billboard? Plan for more ‘Smart City’ kiosks sparks debate
Nine touch-screen kiosks from IKE Smart City can be found in Berkeley today. The company wants to roll out another 17 starting next year.
