The Lakeshore Avenue gift shop, home to an adorable calico named Sundae, sells everything from handmade candles and bags to skin care products and incense.
Author Archives: Roselyn Romero
Roselyn Romero covers small businesses for The Oaklandside as a 2023-24 Poynter-Koch Media and Journalism Fellow. Previously, she was an investigative intern at NBC Bay Area and the inaugural intern for the global investigations team of The Associated Press through a partnership with the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting. Roselyn graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in journalism and minors in Spanish, ethnic studies, and women's and gender studies. She is a proud daughter of Filipino immigrants and was born and raised in Oxnard, California.
After 42 years, a North Oakland running and swimming store is closing
A longtime running and swimming store in the heart of Rockridge is crossing the finish line.
Small Business Week is returning to Oakland. Here’s what to expect
From April 28 to May 3, Oakland small business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to attend 15 free workshops, mixers, and other events.
Wilsdom African Designs in East Oakland weaves clothing and spirituality
For over 30 years, East Oakland resident and ordained minister Rebecca Washington-Ogbebor has sewn traditional African attire for just about any occasion.
Jingletown, an East Oakland pocket neighborhood for art, breakfast sandwiches, and history
Jingletown, located in Oakland’s Fruitvale district, has evolved from a Portuguese immigrant enclave to a tight-knit maker space for creatives.
See which roads are closed for the 2024 Oakland Marathon this weekend
Now in its 15th year, the Oakland Marathon—which includes the marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K races—will start and finish at Lake Merritt.
New Piedmont Avenue ‘passport’ highlights women-owned businesses
Twenty women-owned shops and restaurants on Piedmont Avenue launched the inaugural “Women of the Avenue” program last week.
New co-working space, recording studio and resource hub opens in deep East Oakland
Rise East, a community-led initiative that aims to raise $50 million to revitalize a 40-square-block section of deep East Oakland over the next decade, soft-launched an all-in-one co-working space, recording studio, and resource hub for residents and visitors in early March.
Celebrating Chinatown after dark at Oakland’s second annual Lantern Festival
Co-hosted by Oakland Bloom, AAPI Healers for Liberation, and Sticky Rice Club, the Lantern Festival also featured a community altar for people impacted by the war in Gaza.
Q&A: How the city of Oakland plans to support small businesses in 2024
Cristy Johnston Limón, deputy director of the city’s Economic and Workforce Development Department, describes how small businesses are faring post-lockdown and how the city aims to help.
An Oakland pottery studio where classes fill up almost instantly
Merritt Ceramics, co-founded by longtime friends Anna Tung and Stephen Ruby, was born in 2017 out of a desire to build community around clay.
The history behind Oakland’s Park Boulevard business corridor—and what’s coming next
A new taco spot and the return of a cat vet, a yoga studio, and a tutoring center are coming soon to Glenview’s storied commercial strip.
Inside an unassuming warehouse in West Oakland is a circus school open to all
The Kinetic Arts Center provides circus, fitness, and dance classes and workshops for all ages and experience levels.
How Oakland restaurants are dealing with break-ins
As commercial burglaries have increased and resources are stretched thin, many restaurant owners face mounting debt and stress.
12 festive Oakland markets for holiday gift shopping
From the annual Fruitvale Posada to a spooky “Gothmas” market, these free events feature local vendors, live entertainment, and kid-friendly activities.
This Black woman-owned streetwear store is in an East Oakland backyard
Shauncy “Salt” Jackson founded Oakland Don’t Play, a clothing brand showing off Oaklanders’ pride and resisting racism and gentrification.
Longtime Montclair jewelry shop gets new life with new owner and designer
A new woman-owned jewelry store in the Oakland Hills has taken the place of Montclair Jewelers, whose former owner retired after 60 years.
Some garage parking in downtown Oakland is now $5 after 5 p.m.
The “Five After Five” program at the Franklin Plaza Parking Garage aims to boost nightlife and improve public safety.
A big plan to invest in East Oakland just got closer to its $50M goal
An anonymous donor pledged to contribute $10 million to Rise East, a community-led initiative to raise $50 million from local philanthropy to help tackle systemic inequities facing Black residents in East Oakland.
Fruitvale shop III Antiques & Thangs is a place where you can find—well, exactly that
Phillip Gums III is a former model turned amateur chef and now owner of III Antiques & Thangs in Fruitvale, where his passion for art, glamour, and creativity is on display.