Larger Than Life – Oakland, CA Hot Spots
Third Thursday Art Walk on Piedmont Avenue
oaktownman finally got around to strolling Piedmont Avenue during their new monthly Third Thursday Art Walk. Wow this was fun. Piedmont Ave is already one of the nicest shopping experiences in Oakland with endless unique boutiques and eateries to visit. Now a handful of businesses are staying open till 9pm every 3rd Thursday and serving tasty treats and beverages while upping the fun level.
Party time at The Rare Bird
First stop was The Rare Bird. Some of you may have seen oaktownman’s post about happening upon their grand opening party back in November of 2010. Well proprietor Erica Skone-Rees did not just stop with this little whimsical store. She joined the Piedmont Avenue Merchants Association and said why not have member shops stay open late one evening a month and feature these wonderful unique things the Avenue has to offer.
So here we are and it looks like it’s an event that will be sticking around. You can see the list of businesses involved and more info at the Merchants Association website.
Rare Bird's Erica Skone-Rees — mover & shaker behind the Piedmont Avenue Art Walk, cleaning up after her patrons to the sound of some groovy tracks.
NATHAN&CO's endless sea of novelty
Next was a stop at NATHAN&CO, another place recently covered by oaktownman. The place is always a delight to the senses, made doubly so by the bubbly being served.
Abundant bubbly at NATHAN&CO
Nathan was featuring these vintage repurposed paper maché centerpieces by local artist Christy Smith.
Christy Smith's Paper Maché Creations
It was getting toward 9pm but Mercy Vintage Now was hosting a jewelry trunk show by L.A. based designer Rhiannon Griego — Ghost Dancer Collection. So there were a bunch of folks in there not ready to stop shopping, drinking, and mingling. Check out Rhiannon’s jewelry line because it is exquisite, pure, and expressive.
Rhiannon Griego's Ghost Dancer Collection
Excitement in Mercy Vintage Now's shop
Mercy Scenesters Now
One hot shop!
Owners Jenny & Karen are true professionals of vintage clothing with years of experience between them. They have a refined eye for quality & style and carry a wide range of merchandise in a comfortable space that really breaths. Mercy Vintage Now has only been here since 2009, but their business expands beyond the local realm as they’ve made quite a name for themselves in the L.A. glamour realm.
Jenny and Karen of Mercy Vintage Now
Piedmont Avenue Third Thursday Art Walk
piedmontavenue.org/avenue-art-walk
The Rare Bird
oaktownlife.com/hot-spots/rare-bird
3883 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland
NATHAN & CO
oaktownlife.com/hot-spots/nathan-piedmont
4025 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland
Mercy Vintage Now
4188 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland
| This entry was posted by oaktownman on September 13, 2011 at 10:33 pm, and is filed under Hot Spots. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Inaugural Spirit Airlines Flight at Oakland International Airport
about 1 year ago - 3 comments
oaktownman was lucky enough to be present at the rare inauguration of a new airline to service Oakland. Spirit Airlines has been around for a while, but as of August 18th they are now flying Oakland with 3 flights a day to and from Las Vegas. Oakland International Airport is known all over as one…
Nathan & Co. on Piedmont
about 1 year ago - 2 comments
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about 2 years ago - 1 comment
Lonely looming over the Grand Avenue side of Lake Merritt, the Bellevue-Staten Building is a gem of Oakland architecture. Yes, it’s THAT building. Built in 1929 by famed architect Herman Carl Baumann, it is a distinct and extra elegant example of the art deco style of the time, with a spanish colonial flare thrown in.…
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about 2 years ago - 2 comments
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Half Price Books in Berkeley
about 2 years ago - No comments
Here is a great place to buy books. Yes there are a great many independent booksellers in the Oakland area, but Half Price Books is notable for being simply a great shopping experience. Not only are there great book finds new & used, but also divination decks, used CDs & records, software & games, and…
Alameda Point Antiques Faire — Largest Antiques Market in Northern California
about 2 years ago - 9 comments
Most of the month, the old runways of the former Naval Air Station in Alameda are a desolate stretch of bird sanctuary where the endangered California Lease Terns can thrive in their semi-traditional environment. But every first Sunday, an amazing phenomenon takes place. From practically nothing, an outdoor marketplace is built housing over 800 ‘shops’ and…
La Farine Boulangerie
about 2 years ago - No comments
La Farine Boulangerie (oaktownman guesses that’s French for ‘bakery’) now has at least four locations in the East Bay. oaktownman most frequents their newest location on Piedmont Avenue. For bread, pastries, and cakes, there is no competition for this amazing French-style bakery. And the prices are great as well. If it’s convenient enough, buy your…
The Rare Bird
about 2 years ago - 6 comments
This past weekend, oaktownman heard from a little bird about the grand opening soiree for a new shop on Piedmont Avenue. A welcome addition, The Rare Bird exemplifies Oakland’s new craft movement, showcasing vintage, re-fashioned, and hand-fashioned art, jewelry, clothing, gift items and more. Colleen Mauer Designs Oaktown Life wishes Rare Bird much success in…
Mexicali Rose — an Oaktown Classic
Third Thursday Art Walk on Piedmont Avenue
Inaugural Spirit Airlines Flight at Oakland International Airport
Breads of India
Nathan & Co. on Piedmont
Luka's Taproom & Lounge
Skyline Gate at Redwood Regional Park
Lanesplitter On Telegraph
The Trappist — Beer Tasting in Old Oakland
The Bellevue-Staten — Lake Merritt's Art Deco Gem
Scottish Rite Temple
Oakland Museum's White Elephant Sale
Half Price Books in Berkeley
Tao Yuen Pastry — Chinatown's Most Popular Bakery
about 2 months ago
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about 5 days ago
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