Located in a small shop off the parking lot behind Sur La Table, George is a high quality pet store oriented towards dogs and cats. Although its new location is slightly off the beaten path of main 4th street, a visit there is worth your while if you are in the market for stylish cat and dog beds, toys, collars, leashes or high quality pet food. George has a collection of vintage pet related art, retro styled pet food dishes and a nice assortment of freshly baked dog cookies.
Mars Mercantile is a thrift shop located on Telegraph Ave. in Berkeley. It sells unique vintage clothing including pants, dresses, shorts, shoes, shirts and much more. You'll always find something different here.
Castle in the Air describes itself as a studio for the imagination. Walking into this store makes you feel as though you've stumbled into the pages of a fairy tale which is not so surprising once you realize that their motto is "Believe in the fantasy." And fantastic it all is. Both adults and children can find something to love here, from the fountain pens to unique crafting supplies to puppets and unique paper mache gifts. The store also offers specialty classes ranging from calligraphy to illumination to wreath making and so much more.
Bowlin on 10th Street has been selling industrial and construction supplies since 1946. It specializes in fasteners as well as nuts and bolts and the like.
For forty years, this Berkeley institution has been the place where rock legends buy their guitars, basses, banjos, mandolins, and ukuleles, and where residents go to have "philosophical questions answered and the meaning of life explained." In addition to a colorful staff, it features reasonable prices and offers repairs, classes, and custom-built guitars. Subway Guitars specializes in vintage instruments and special orders. If you wonder where the old Berkeley went, it went to Subway Guitars!
If you are looking for that perfect pair of jeans, Slash is a good place to start. The store is stocked with new, gently used and vintage denim for men and women in a variety of styles and sizes, so you're sure to find a great fit, whether you want traditional boot cut or more contemporary skinny jeans. Hoodies and other casual apparel items are also available. Inventory is regularly updated so there's always something new.
Elmwood Stationers offers stationary from around the world that is perfect for weddings and special events. They have art supplies that include drawing pencils, modeling clay, construction paper, crayons and chalk, and dry erase boards. They also have office supplies such as accounting books, printer ink cartridges, and register receipt rolls. You can even visit the store to make photocopies, send or receive a fax, make custom stamps, or print custom address labels.
Bookbinding is an increasingly rare craft, and the Bay Area has been lucky enough to be home to the Pettingell Book Bindery since 1926. Pettingell will assist in the construction of artists' books and will bind portfolios and make boxes for archival storage and display. Even if you're not an artist, this place has special usefulness: a handmade book of handwritten pages, mounted photographs, or children's art would make a wonderful and unexpected gift.
Out of the Closet is a thrift store owned and operated by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. It sells men and women's clothing, books, kitchenware, electronics, videos, sporting goods, and home furnishings. It provides free pickups, so if you've got some furniture you'd like to donate, feel free to give them a call. The income generated at Out of the Closet helps to fund medical services and free HIV testing at several locations.
Established in 1929, Aarvaks Heating & Air Conditioning sells, installs and repairs heating, venting and air conditioning systems to clients across the Bay Area. Serving private residents as well as commercial and industrial clients, Aarvaks offers free estimates (after an initial diagnostic fee) and provides services from filter cleaning and replacement to general maintenance.
Since 1945, Reid's Records in South Berkeley has been providing locals with gospel music and church supplies. Family owned and operated, the shop sells everything from old gospel records to choir robes, with a selection of books and greeting cards. Owner David Reid, whose parents started the business, says that the store stands out as one of the few remaining African-American owned businesses in the area.
Shrimati's has one of the best selections of Indian and Asian music and video in the Bay Area. Records, DVDs, and CDs are everywhere here, though they do find space to sell a small number of silk dresses and scarves. Check out the well-developed website for those wanting to shop from home.
Specializing in organic mattresses and linens and solid wood frames, European Sleep Works on Adeline Street provides alternative sleep systems to the East Bay. Its spacious two-story showroom features various sample mattresses and pillows and has walls adorned with classic works of art, letting potential buyers try out different models in a relaxed, classy environment. With innovative items like the Oxygen Pillow designed to improve the quality of sleep, European Sleep Works has options for all types of sleepers.
This store contains solid-wood furniture designed by local store owner Lazlo Gochay. Furnishings can be decorated using a wide range of fabric colors and styles on display inside the store.
Solano Cellars is a hidden gem, providing great selections of California and international wines, as well as an elevated wine bar in the back of the shop that offers tastings paired with artisanal cheeses and charcuterie. It also hosts regular wine classes, wine and food pairing dinners, and visits from winemakers from all over the world. The staff are oenological enthusiasts and will go out of their way to recommend or even locate a wine for you.
Earthly Goods offers women's clothing in simple and classic styles. It has racks that are full of blouses, sweaters, skirts, pants and jackets. It also has many styles of shoes and boots, including Dansko, La Canadienne and Campers. Other items that you can purchase here include leather purses, wallets and fine jewelry. There is a "new arrivals" section, where you can find all of the latest clothing that's come into the store.