Shop Talk: The ins and outs of Berkeley businesses

November 15, 2011 2:30 pm by Tracey Taylor

BANK IN, VIDEOS OUT Notice has gone up on the exterior of 2390 Shattuck (near Channing) that Chase Bank intends to take over the 4,500 sq ft space, now occupied by Blockbuster, further reducing the availability of DVD rentals in the city. Chase is applying for permits to remodel and install an ATM machine and will probably start remodeling in January with an eye toward opening the branch in mid-2012, according to Jim Novosel, the architect (and a planning commissioner). Chase will retain its store on Center Street, he said.

LOCASODA In our recent story about north Berkeley’s new Local Butcher Shop, we made mention of a particular soda the store is selling alongside its cuts of meat and fresh-made sandwiches. Vignette Wine Country Sodas are non-alcoholic, sweetened only with the juice of California varietal wine grapes, and made right here on Alcatraz Avenue in Berkeley. The sodas come in three varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rosé, and they are all lightly sparkling. They can be bought online, or at the Local Butcher Shop at 1600 Shattuck Avenue Ste. 120 in the Gourmet Ghetto.

Far and Few Again. Photo: Nancy Rubin

VINTAGE MOVE Far and Few Again, the vintage fashion and decor store, is making its comeback on San Pablo Avenue having moved out of its original space at Walnut Square. Owner Jessie Foster says the current collection is “eclectic to the max” ranging from high style to everyday style. The period ranges between 1910 and the 80s for the most part, with some newer items in the mix. Far and Few Again is at 1643 San Pablo Avenue in the Pacific Basin Building at Virginia and San Pablo, open Tuesdays though Saturdays, 11:00 am to 5:30 pm. [Hat-tip: Nancy Rubin]

Shop Talk is our regular column in which we post updates on Berkeley businesses — openings, closings, new directions, relaunches, relocations. If you’re a Berkeley business with news, or a Berkeleysider who has spotted a change in your neighborhood or on your travels, shoot us an email with the details. Read previous Shop Talk columns here.

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6 Comments

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  • David

    Will blockbuster reopen somewhere else?

  • berkeley resident

    Another Chase on Shattuck.  I wonder why they need two big spaces.

    On another note….I was walking by Little Pablo yesterday and noticed that there is a permit sign on the window indicating that a Cafe is moving in and they have applied for beer and wine license.

  • Anonymous

    Maybe, perhaps at the corner of 1995 and the Boulevard of Obsolete Business Models.

  • Anonymous

    Because they have so much money they are sitting on and would rather have two banks within a few blocks than lend to would-be small business owners who might create a few jobs! All hail the oligarchs!

  • Completely Serious

    I don’t think they’re making soda at the UPS store on Alcatraz and College.  There’s already a cupcake truck in that spot.  (See CupKates.)  That address is a mail drop, and my guess is the soda isn’t made anywhere near Berkeley.

  • Anonymous

    The only business model that would work for video rentals would be…blu ray and 3D rentals because you can’t stream these videos and won’t be able to for quite some time Netflix and the like have made all other video rentals obsolete.