Racked: All Posts by Flora TsapovskyThe National Shopping, Stores, and Retail Scene Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52809/32x32.0..png2016-11-09T11:25:02-05:00https://www.racked.com/authors/flora-tsapovsky/rss2016-11-09T11:25:02-05:002016-11-09T11:25:02-05:00A Visitor’s Guide to Oakland’s Coolest Shopping Neighborhoods
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<img alt="Temescal Alley in Oakland" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qyB4KhTlx_UJjm-ml03C69zxfak=/223x0:3778x2666/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51750701/Wojack_Oaklnd_Tmscl_4657.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo: Aaron Wojack</figcaption>
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<p class="c-entry-disclaimer"><i>Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods">The Goods by Vox</a>. You can also see what we’re up to by <a href="https://vox.com/goods-newsletter">signing up here</a>.</i></p>
<p>What to do and where to shop in the city’s best spots for retail. </p> <p id="0AZ7Gy">Does Oakland even need an introduction anymore? Over the past few years, <a href="http://www.racked.com/maps/shopping-in-san-francisco">San Francisco</a>’s neighboring town has grown in hype to the point of becoming the Bay Area’s new capital of cool — especially when it comes to shopping indie boutiques. </p>
<p id="OYH3yW">There are easily over a dozen must-stop shops in Oakland, as we’ve laid out in our <a href="http://www.racked.com/maps/best-shopping-in-oakland-ca">map to the best stores in the city.</a> But the sprawling destination, which (from a retail perspective) is broken up into small pockets of activity, doesn’t necessarily lend itself well to exploring in just one day. </p>
<p id="w8SARA">Instead, you could opt to spend more time in each distinct and vibrant community, which all contribute to the city’s compelling and complex identity. From north to south, the following six areas — Rockridge, Temescal, Piedmont, Grand Lake, Downtown, and Old Oakland — should be added to your East Bay must-visit list. Each neighborhood is equipped with enough local heroes, Instagram photo ops, and shopping gems to fill an afternoon and then some. </p>
<p id="dz8qTB"><em>To read more about our favorite shops and see them in a map, check out our </em><a href="http://www.racked.com/maps/best-shopping-in-oakland-ca"><em>guide to the best shops in Oakland</em></a><em>. </em></p>
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<img alt="A shopper in Hawthorne Boutique picks out an item. " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/S7gkFFnoc7Ph036ai5IDUsRHdv0=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7428971/Hawthorne_Oakland.jpg">
<cite>Photo: Aaron Wojack</cite>
<figcaption>Hawthorn Boutique</figcaption>
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<h3 id="G6X72G">ROCKRIDGE</h3>
<p id="88dfFd">It’s hard to believe that elegant Rockridge, one of the first areas to attract San Francisco transplants when the housing boom hit, used to be centered around a major rock quarry. Now, the area’s sunny streets and green spaces are home to stylish couples and young families, and get packed with visitors from all over town and neighboring Berkeley on the weekends. </p>
<p id="p6SSyw">Your first stop should be <a href="https://www.hawthornboutique.com/">Hawthorn</a> (5854 College Ave), a chic women’s boutique; head there for upscale but very wearable pieces from indie designers. Strolling along the main street of College Ave, <a href="https://www.smittenicecream.com/">Smitten</a> ice cream cone in hand (5800 College Ave), is another required activity. So is slurping the famed ramen at <a href="http://www.ramenshop.com/">Ramen Shop</a> (5812 College Ave). </p>
<p id="EfzLjj">Though it’s one of Oakland’s ritziest areas, Rockridge is also great for second-hand browsing. Check out <a href="http://crossroadstrading.com/location/oakland-college-ave/">Crossroads Trading Co.</a> (5901 College Ave) and <a href="http://rockridgerags.com/">Rockridge Rags</a> (5711 College Ave) to dig around before heading to the more curated vintage shop <a href="http://prettypennyclothing.com/">Pretty Penny</a> (5488 College Ave). On your way, stop in <a href="http://atomicgardenoakland.com/">Atomic Garden</a> (5453 College Ave) for gifts and souvenirs, should that be your thing. </p>
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<img alt="A mural outside a cute shop in the Temescal Neighborhood of Oakland." data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/miBY70Qj7e6EMszd8R32QLINN7g=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7430765/dandelion_post_mural.jpg">
<cite>Photo: Aaron Wojack</cite>
<figcaption>Dandelion Post</figcaption>
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<h3 id="2fqpIw">TEMESCAL</h3>
<p id="XzFhxX">A couple of years ago, all the hype in Oakland was focused around very cute (and photogenic) Temescal Alley — a small, walkable street lined with shops — but these days, stylish boutiques, popular eateries, and hidden treasures are popping up all over one of Oakland’s oldest neighborhoods. </p>
<p id="BatIgQ">Clothes shopping, people watching, and nibbling are the activities that come naturally here. There are almost too many cool stores to list, but of course the aforementioned Temescal Alley is a good place to start. </p>
<p id="xczlyH">There you’ll find <a href="https://www.aligolden.com/">Ali Golden</a> (482 B 49th St), the retail shop of Oakland’s top local designer; <a href="http://www.crimsonhort.com/">Crimson Horticultural Rarities</a><strong> </strong>(470 49th St), a lovely place to pick up a succulent; and <a href="http://www.mindseyevintage.com/">Mind’s Eye Vintage</a> (484 C 49th St), an affordable men’s, women’s, and kid’s vintage shop. There’s a lot to dig into for jewelry lovers, with <a href="http://shopesqueleto.com/">Esqueleto</a> (482 A 49th St), a cute multi-brand jewelry store, and <a href="http://marisamason.com/">Marisa Mason</a> (484 D 49th St), another great jewelry shop. Plus there’s a barber shop, doughnut shop, apothecary store, and more.</p>
<p id="Vgp8UA">For menswear and denim, don’t miss <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1514733&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstandardandstrange.com%2F&referrer=racked.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racked.com%2Fshopping%2F2016%2F11%2F9%2F13523684%2Fthings-to-do-in-oakland-california-retail-neighborhoods" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Standard & Strange</a> (5010 Telegraph Ave) around the corner, or <a href="http://www.rubysgarden.com/">Ruby’s Garden</a> (5026 Telegraph Ave) for stylish kid’s stuff. After all that shopping, sit down for dinner at cult-favorite <a href="http://pizzaiolooakland.com/">Pizzaiolo</a> (5008 Telegraph Ave) or explore the winning wallpaper (and spicy pav sliders!) of <a href="http://www.juhubeachclub.com/">Juhu Beach Club</a> (5179 Telegraph Ave). </p>
<p id="gjEk96">Oh, and make sure you check out the neighborhood’s murals while you’re there — a good representation can be found around Telegraph Avenue and 43rd Street. It’s right outside <a href="https://dandelionpost.com/">Dandelion Post</a> (4243 Telegraph Ave), a new-ish women’s apparel and lifestyle boutique that’s definitely worth a visit, too. </p>
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<img alt="The inside of Good Stock in Oakland" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bOs90q1czQ3Pi3lJpzABquJJ4R8=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7429009/good_stock_oakland.jpg">
<cite>Photo: Aaron Wojack</cite>
<figcaption>Good Stock</figcaption>
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<h3 id="Sc7EKC">PIEDMONT</h3>
<p id="cJAYK8">Residential Piedmont is technically a separate township within Alameda County, but it’s completely surrounded by the city of Oakland. The area instantly makes you feel at home with its old-school, neighborhood-y vibe. Walking around, it’s easy to understand why it was once known as the “City of Millionaires” — impressive mansions along Sea View Avenue and Sotelo Avenue are beautiful reminders of its lavish past. </p>
<p id="KqnJzf">After some real estate daydreaming, grab a strong cappuccino from Timeless Coffee Roasters and head to a<strong> </strong>trio of topnotch shops on Piedmont Ave. <a href="http://www.iloveneighbor.com/">Neighbor</a> (4200 Piedmont Ave) is a great stop for rustic home items and gifts, while <a href="http://wearegoodstock.com/">Good Stock</a> (4198 Piedmont Ave) next door is a gift shop and women’s boutique that sources all items from conscientious makers. But the real gem here is <a href="http://www.mercyvintage.com/">Mercy Vintage</a> (4188 Piedmont Ave), one of the Bay Area’s best vintage stores, hands down. </p>
<p id="fGJEze">A few more spots scattered along Piedmont are primed for those who love to dig. There’s <a href="http://www.issuesshop.com/about.html">Issues</a> (20 Glen Ave), a magazine shop stocking hard-to-find titles from the US and abroad, and <a href="https://www.strandedrecords.com">Stranded</a> (14 Glen Ave), a great local record shop with its own label, which recently moved in from Telegraph Ave. Antique fans should head to <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1514733&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yelp.com%2Fbiz%2Fpiedmont-lane-gallery-oakland&referrer=racked.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racked.com%2Fshopping%2F2016%2F11%2F9%2F13523684%2Fthings-to-do-in-oakland-california-retail-neighborhoods" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Piedmont Lane Gallery</a> (4121 Piedmont Ave), a cluttered but charming antique and vintage store.</p>
<p id="wz4jhC">If you’ve worked up an appetite, try the warm hummus and fresh salads at <a href="http://www.babiteoakland.com/">Ba-Bite</a><strong> </strong>(3905 Piedmont Ave) for lunch, or go all in at <a href="http://kronnerburger.com/">KronnenBurger</a> (4063 Piedmont Ave), a self-proclaimed “burger paradise” by local superstar Chris Kronner. </p>
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<img alt="A street scene near the Grand Lake Theater." data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PvXYL5AJrRsVFCr47fp2jz6ulFI=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7429029/grand_lake_oakland.jpg">
<cite>Photo: Aaron Wojack</cite>
<figcaption>Grand Lake</figcaption>
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<h3 id="rkImNz">GRAND LAKE</h3>
<p id="dfIFr9">Oakland’s centerpiece, Lake Merritt is an artificial pond that brings real joy to the daily hoards of runners, bikers, and picnickers that flock to its shores. Circle the lake to get a great glimpse of some of Oakland’s landmarks, including the <a href="http://museumca.org/">Oakland Museum of California</a> (1000 Oak St), the futuristic <a href="http://www.ctlcathedral.org/">Cathedral of Christ the Light</a> (2121 Harrison St), <a href="http://fairyland.org/">Children’s Fairyland</a> (699 Bellevue Ave), and the iconic marquee of the <a href="http://www.renaissancerialto.com/">Grand Lake Theater</a> (3200 Grand Ave) before shopping the afternoon away. </p>
<p id="Ee8NY5">Grand and Lakeshore Avenues, which start at the lake, are dotted with restaurants and boutiques catering to the neighborhood’s fun-loving, polished vibe. <a href="https://knimble.myshopify.com">Knimble</a> (3258 Grand Ave) is great for consignment finds. <a href="http://www.alchemybottleshop.com/">Alchemy Bottle Shop</a> (3256 Grand Ave) is a local favorite for interesting spirits, barware, and cocktail books. </p>
<p id="HJJQbh">Save your splurges for Sherri McMullen’s namesake designer boutique <a href="http://shopmcmullen.com/">McMullen</a> (1235 Grand Ave), which she fills with everything from cocktail dresses to smart separates by labels like <a href="http://www.rosieassoulin.com/">Rosie Assoulin</a>, <a href="http://www.carven.com/">Carven</a>, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1514733&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nililotan.com%2Fshop-new-arrivals.html&referrer=racked.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.racked.com%2Fshopping%2F2016%2F11%2F9%2F13523684%2Fthings-to-do-in-oakland-california-retail-neighborhoods" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Nili Lotan</a>, and more. </p>
<p id="6djIw5">After exploring, grab dinner at <a href="http://bootandshoeservice.com/">Boot and Shoe Service</a> (3308 Grand Ave), a cozy Italian spot serving inventive pizzas from the same owners as celebrated <a href="http://pizzaiolooakland.com/">Pizzaiolo</a> in Temescal. For drinks, <a href="http://penroseoakland.com/">Penrose</a> (3311 Grand Ave) has you covered with delicious cocktails, live music, and indoor palm trees.</p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/e1kjcX6KvCmbNSfgImqhJQscq3Q=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7428757/two_jacks_downtown.jpg">
<cite>Photo: Aaron Wojack</cite>
<figcaption>Two Jacks Denim</figcaption>
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<h3 id="AKU66E">DOWNTOWN</h3>
<p id="0SUKph">Centered around the historic Fox and Paramount theaters, Oakland’s downtown is buzzing with art, music, and shopping. Catch a show at the stunningly renovated <a href="http://fox.theatreoakland.com/?gclid=CN6XutK0mdACFUVXDQod5m8IxQ">Fox Theater</a> (1807 Telegraph Ave) or watch a movie at <a href="http://www.paramounttheatre.com/">Paramount</a> (2025 Broadway), where a live organ is sometimes played pre-screening. For further cultural exploration, the galleries along 25th Street offer plenty. </p>
<p id="XKRIDI">Shopping-wise, <a href="https://twojacksdenim.com/">Two Jack’s Denim</a> (2355 Broadway) is a neighborhood institution focusing on American-made jeans. <a href="http://viscerastudio.com/">Viscera Studio</a> (1542 Broadway) is a cool design store big on 3D-printed accessories. (And several great shops are concentrated in the area of downtown known as Old Oakland — enough that it deserves to be called out on its own, below.) </p>
<p id="VV3sfM">When you’re done, the <a href="http://legionnairesaloon.com/">Legionnaire Saloon</a> (2272 Telegraph Ave) is always up for a niche, truly cool party; alternately, the <a href="http://www.starlinesocialclub.com/">Starline Social Club</a> (2236 M.L.K. Jr. Way) offers craft cocktails and a dimly lit night out. If you’re looking for a bite, stop by the city’s first culinary hub for chefs, <a href="http://www.foragekitchen.com/">Forage Kitchen</a> (478 25th St); <a href="http://www.floraoakland.com/">Flora</a> and <a href="http://faunaoakland.com/">Fauna</a> (1900 Telegraph Ave) for a classic meal; or <a href="http://www.hawkerfare.com/">Hawker Fare</a> (2300 Webster St) for authentic Thai food. </p>
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<img alt="The storefront of Crown Nine Jewelry" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qNAjFRwNoCFZ8TOmn_38wv9ijmM=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7428777/crown_nine_jewelry.jpg">
<cite>Photo: Aaron Wojack</cite>
<figcaption>Crown Nine</figcaption>
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<h3 id="8kYRME">OLD OAKLAND</h3>
<p id="gWROwr">Nestled between Jack London Square and Chinatown, Old Oakland, located downtown, is one of the city’s most atmospheric destinations. The refurbishment and culinary takeover of the historic <a href="http://swansmarket.com/">Swan’s Market</a> (538 9th St) was a turning point for the beautiful neighborhood; hip boutiques and more eateries followed, turning the area into a popular weekend hangout. Head here to explore Chinatown’s architecture and walk along the waterfront for some atypical serenity. </p>
<p id="pyuDuk">Some of the neighborhood’s best shops are home- and kitchen-focused: Kitschy-cute <a href="http://marionandrose.com/">Marion and Rose’s Workshop</a> (461 9th St) offers Oakland-themed souvenirs and gifts in an almost Portlandia-like, put-a-bird-on-it setting. Nearby <a href="https://umamimart.com/">Umami Mart</a> (815 Broadway) carries all things Japanese, from hard-to-find sake and pantry items to beautiful Japanese porcelain and sought-after barware. </p>
<p id="vbxB05">If you’re looking for apparel, <a href="http://www.msdoak.com/">Maple Street Denim</a> (465 9th St) has decent men’s and women’s options, and of course, denim. <a href="http://boskoak.com/">Bosk</a> (494 9th St) is a good stop for men’s streetwear and basics. And absolutely don’t miss <a href="https://www.crown-nine.com/">Crown Nine</a> (515 9th St), an indie jewelry store with a great selection. </p>
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<h3 id="BhLiIz"><a href="http://www.racked.com/maps/best-shopping-in-oakland-ca"><em>To read more about our favorite shops and see them in a map, check out our guide to the best shops in Oakland. </em></a></h3>
https://www.racked.com/shopping/2016/11/9/13523684/things-to-do-in-oakland-california-retail-neighborhoodsFlora Tsapovsky2016-11-09T09:50:03-05:002016-11-09T09:50:03-05:00The Best Shops in Oakland's Indie Boutique Scene
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<img alt="Mercy Vintage" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZjfxtWm9J3YUdOdTZj7H-Cbu62A=/220x0:3775x2666/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51717605/Wojack_Oaklnd_MrcVtng_2766.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mercy Vintage | Photo: Aaron Wojack</figcaption>
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<p class="c-entry-disclaimer"><i>Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods">The Goods by Vox</a>. You can also see what we’re up to by <a href="https://vox.com/goods-newsletter">signing up here</a>.</i></p>
<p>Oakland's indie shopping scene rivals neighboring San Francisco's with a heavy-hitting list of cool stores.</p> <p>To say Oakland is San Francisco's Brooklyn circa 2010 would be a cliché, but it also would be somewhat true. Increasingly hip, current, and creative, Oakland's fashion and shopping scene rivals San Francisco's with its diversity, variety, and strong sense of local pride.</p>
<p>On Oakland's spread-out shopping map, stores range from ultra-niche boutiques to vintage and even couture. Local jewelry designers have a particularly strong showing with shops like <a href="https://www.crown-nine.com/">Crown Nine</a> and <a href="http://shopesqueleto.com/">Esqueleto</a>. Vintage shopping here is some of the best in the country, with big-hitters like <a href="http://www.mercyvintage.com/">Mercy Vintage</a> boasting as strong a fan base via Instagram as it does locally.</p>
<p>The city's laid-back, urban vibe and rugged authenticity shine through with each shop's offerings, from vintage records to selvedge denim, upscale woolen throws, handmade incense, and other northern Californian staples of style and utility. Prepare to neighborhood-hop, encounter photogenic treasures from murals to artful store displays on every turn, and shop with abandon.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.racked.com/shopping/2016/11/9/13523684/things-to-do-in-oakland-california-retail-neighborhoods">For a deeper look at what to do (and where to shop) in Oakland's best neighborhoods for retail, check out our visitor's guide.</a></p>
https://www.racked.com/maps/best-shopping-in-oakland-caFlora Tsapovsky