Grand-Lakeshore Retail Survey Update

With just over two weeks remaining until polling closes on September 1, the Grand-Lakeshore Retail Advisory Group has received over 500 completed surveys. GLRAG hopes to duplicate the success of earlier surveys that brought us Trader Joe's and Arizmendi and expects that the results will also help stimulate physical improvements on Grand, Lakeshore and Lake Park. If you haven't already participated, don't miss out on this opportunity to help shape the future of our neighborhood shopping district. A link to the survey is available on the GLRAG home page. The home page also has two new features--links to the Lakeshore and Grand Avenue business directories and a list of current office and retail vacancies. If you'd like to volunteer to help with this effort, email info@glrag.org.

Lakefest 2008 and Grand Avenue National Night Out Celebration

Lakefest 2008 was a big success despite a very short time frame for planning and publicity. Helen Wyman, the Festival Director who runs Oakland Events, predicts that Lakefest 2009 will be even better and twice as big. If you have any comments regarding the festival, please email us and we'll be happy to forward them to Helen.

The National Night Out Celebration on Grand also enjoyed a big turnout and many of the merchants participated with sidewalk sales and/or complimentary eats. Music featured several neighborhood-based groups--as was the case at Lakefest. David Sturdevant's "San Francisco Medicine Ball Band" began the evening performing in front of "Miss Saigon" where they led a rousing Happy Birthday chorus for owner Timmy Nguyen and then moved down the street to the Smoke Shop where there was dancing in the streets (sidewalks actually) until late in the evening. Congratulations to GABA chairman Nick Everleigh who was honored by Alameda County for his leadership in organizing the NNO celebration for the past three years (see photo). Nick, with a little help from his friends, also added new plants to the planters up and down the street in preparation for the event.

Grand-Lakeshore Merchant News

The festive mood at Lakefest was unfortunately marred Saturday by an early afternoon fire at Oakland Kosher Foods immediately adjacent to the inflatable jump houses and face-painting tent that were set up in the street. There was extensive smoke damage to the interior and repairs are currently underway. Papyrus, which is next door, also experienced smoke damage and, according to the signs in the window, they should be re-opening shortly with all new merchandise.

The Going Out of Business Sale at Bennett Camera is continuing through August 23 and all remaining merchandise is priced to sell. A sale is also underway across the street at Glow which is slated to close by the end of the month. All merchandise is on sale at 50% off. A new tenant has already signed on to the lease and it will remain a clothing boutique--but with a somewhat different focus. Please, don't ask for specifics! Anybody who knows me, knows better than to ask fashion-related questions. I'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy who favors white athletic socks. My only redeeming feature is that I'm fully aware of how unfashionably I typically dress and it's prompted me, of late, to give Mr. Roundtree, (the elegantly-dressed gentleman you see on Lakeshore usually carrying a walking stick) a hard time for making me look so bad by comparison.

While Jim Bennett will be closing his doors for the last time on the 23rd, a new pet supply store will be opening at 3600 Grand--just up the block from "Cycle Sports". "Petpourri" will be offering a good variety of pet supplies for dogs, cats, birds, fish and more.

Next door to Petpourri at 3602, look for a new hair salon called "House of Naturale" which specializes in chemical-free care for "kinky, straight, curly hair" . What I said above with reference to clothing goes double for hairstyles. My friend and former neighbor, Dina Bearden who owns Dina's Salon in the Glenview District, has been cutting my hair every three or four months (whether it needs it or not) for over 35 years and despite her arthritis, I won't let her retire. She doesn't ask, she just cuts.

Allison Hopelain and Russell Moore had good reason to be pleased with Michael Bauer's flattering 3-Star review of "Camino"--their restaurant venture further up Grand next to La Taza.

Back on Lakeshore, or more accurately Trestle Glen, the long-vacant Baskin Robins shop is now occupied by the Paragon Kitchen & Bath Studio operated by Rebecca Fulton.

Farmers Market News

The newest farmers market vendor is "TofuYu" which has two retail locations--one in Berkeley and the second in El Cerrito. Their card lists eight different offerings including Chocolate Mousse.

Brad Gates "1st Annual Wild Boar Farms Tomato Tour" was this past weekend. The promise of gourmet food samples and wine tasting (particularly the latter) had me tempted, but as I've grown increasingly averse to sun, wind, dust and dirt, I stayed home. Would love to hear from any of you who attended and will share a selection of your comments in our next newsletter.

Entertainment Calendar

We haven't had time, as yet, to update the Grand Lake Entertainment Calendar, but here's a quick update:

L'Amyx Tea--Saturdays from 8-10 PM.