GOODS


Grocery Store


Farmer Joe’s Marketplace
    After 12 years as the produce mart of choice for East Oaklanders, Farmer Joe’s Marketplace grew in June 2006, adding a new Fruitvale Avenue location. Such staples as fresh nut butters, bulk oils and grass-fed beef are augmented by freshly made soups, sandwiches, smoothies and sushi. Farmer Joe’s Marketplace, 3501 MacArthur Blvd. and 3426 Fruitvale Ave., www.farmerjoesmarketplace.com.

 

 

 

 

Garden Center


Grand Lake Ace Hardware
    John Madden is right—Ace is the place. For all of you who dread entering a Home Depot, the East Bay has been blessed with a handful of unique and amazing Ace Hardware stores. And readers have singled out the Grand Lake Ace Hardware in Piedmont as the place to go for a one-of-a-kind selection of garden supplies. No more chasing guys in orange smocks down endless aisles. Grand Lake Ace Hardware, 1221 Grand Ave., (510) 652-1936, www.acehardware.com.

Book Store


Pendragon
    One in a chain of three local independent bookstores (there are two Pegasus stores in Berkeley), Pendragon truly has that independent bookseller spirit. The store offers a ton of programs, author events, groups and readings for its customers and can make them chuckle with its very informative and humorous Web site. Go online to see Amazon versus the independents, or to view photos of staff members’ pets. Pendragon, 5560 College Ave., (510) 652-6259, www.pegasusbookstore.com.

Pet Shop


Redhound
    Rover and Bowser can keep up with the Jones’ pampered pooches thanks to the astonishing selection of upscale toys, snazzy accessories, healthy foods and high-end  snacks at Redhound, where the knowledgeable staff is feline-friendly, too, stocking everything from salmon treats and fishing-pole playthings to chic cat carriers and stylish scratching sculptures. Something to bark about. Redhound, 5523 College Ave., (510) 428-2785,www.redhoundpets.com.



Home Furnishings


Rockridge Home
    Fine furniture and fun stuff for the home, most reasonably priced, are what you’ll find at Rockridge Home, a trendy furniture, accessory and gift shop in the heart of Rockridge that’s been going strong since 2003. Owner Jennifer Kaplan says she stocks for the “casual urban sophisticate,” selecting sofas, ottomans, tables, vases, martini glasses, plates and more for comfort, style and uniqueness. Rockridge Home, 5418 College Ave., (510) 420-1928, www.rockridgehome.com.


Gift Shop


Pelago
    Founded in 1993, Pelago prides itself on offering a wide selection of unique and affordable gifts and home decorating items. This Montclair shop seems to have a little bit of everything—soaps, jewelry, cookbooks, photo frames, cocktail glasses—and not much of anything you would find anywhere else.
Pelago, 6134 Medau Place, (510) 339-7090.

Jewelry Store


Pavé
    Pavé employs a staff of custom designers and skilled craftspeople to make sure each
customer gets something special and unique every time. Our readers seem to be happy with the results; they have voted the Rockridge jeweler No. 1 for the second year running. Pavé, 5496 College Ave.,
(510) 547-7000, www.pavefinejewelry.com.

Shoes


Tootsies
    Whether they’re tucking their toes into budget sandals or designer-name platforms, Oakland Magazine’s inveterate shoe-shoppers again find inspiration for their inner Imeldas and soothe their soles in the footwear and foot-care fantasia known as Tootsies—where pedicures reach party proportions on Friday nights. Tootsies, 5525 College Ave., (510) 595-7272.

Editor's Choice

Best Place to Ease into the Digital Photo Age

Montclair 1-Hour Photo
    As film started going the way of LPs and cassette tapes, Montclair 1-Hour Photo adapted by mastering the digital processes in which the 28-year-old shop specializes today. Whether you want to have old prints scanned or restored; make holiday cards or posters from your favorite shots; maintain a free online album; or get friendly, expert assistance with your art photography or professional e-commerce, this modest storefront houses the cutting-edge technology and bend-over-backwards staff to address every need. Montclair 1-Hour Photo, 6170 Antioch St., (510) 339-3686, www.montclairphoto.com.

Recycled Clothing


Rockridge Rags
    Buying designer-label goods at greatly reduced prices makes any shopaholic’s day, and bargain hunters can find deals by the dozen at Rockridge Rags, the little indie recycled-clothing store that ekes past area chainster Crossroads Trading Co. in this year’s used-goods contest. Togs and shoes, purses and coats, jeans and sweaters and more—it’s all there. Rockridge Rags, 5711 College Ave., (510) 655-2289.

Bike Shop


Wheels of Justice Cyclery
    Although its business moniker derives from owner Justice Baxter’s name, Wheels of Justice Cyclery spins the pun into fair and balanced policies, including 30-day test rides, 90-day price protection, lifetime tune-ups and parts warranties and a 100 percent value trade-up program for kids. Wheels of Justice Cyclery, 2024 Mountain Blvd., (510) 339-6091, www.wojcyclery.com.

Health Food Store


Food Mill
    Dating back to 1933, Oakland’s original health food store, the Food Mill, may not be as polished as Whole Foods, but it makes up for what it lacks in ambience with 700 bulk food items, nutritional supplements, a general grocery store, health and beauty products and its own line of cookies and peanut butter. The Food Mill, 3033 West MacArthur Blvd., (510) 482-3848, www.foodmill1933.com.


Editor's Choice


Best Way to Show Local Spirit

Oakland Cutie T-Shirts
    It’s never too early to start showing a little local love, and now Oakland Unwrapped, a local nonprofit group promoting Oakland businesses, has a great new way to do so. The organization’s totally charming Oakland Cutie T-shirts prove that you don’t have to know how to walk to be able to show how much you love Oakland. This line of toddler tees is available only online as part of Unwrapped’s new Internet marketplace. Ask your parents to help you order one. www.oaklandunwrapped.org.


Wine Shop


Paul Marcus Wines
    Because of its location in Rockridge’s European-style Market Hall, Paul Marcus Wines emphasizes food-friendly wines. This amiable and sophisticated shop posts helpful ratings and descriptions of both budget-conscious and exclusive high-end European and domestic varietals from a wide range of French, Italian, German, Austrian, Spanish and California producers. Travel the world with just one stop. Paul Marcus Wines, 5655 College Ave., (510) 420-1005, www.paulmarcuswines.com.

Record Store


Saturn Records
    What’s the little record store that can? It’s Saturn Records, the one-time mail-order-only record house in San Francisco that opened a retail shop in Oakland in 1992. Today, the Rockridge vinyl specialist is a generalist, dealing in all genres of music and priding itself on its ability to offer a rare collector’s item next to an inexpensive classic. It all sounds good to Oakland Magazine readers. Saturn Records, 5488 College Ave., (510) 654-0335, www.saturnrecords.com.