Mary Corbin is a writer and artist who has lived in Berkeley for over 30 years. Mary moved to the Bay Area from St. Louis to attend California College of the Arts in Oakland where she completed her BFA in painting and printmaking. A natural storyteller, she is currently working on a collection of short stories. As a writer for Berkeleyside and lead writer for YourBerkeley.com, Mary loves finding something new to write about just around the next corner while out on a walk, biking in the hills, or chatting with locals about food or fun events around town. Visit her cycling blog, MommaWheelie, for essays on biking for recreation and utility and view her work as an artist at marycorbinart.blogspot.com.
Neighbors in West Berkeley are celebrating a new hardware store; a sporting goods store that served the community for over 50 years has closed; and a spot specializing in antique plumbing parts is relocating.
Also: Gift store Pot-Pourri will open in North Berkeley in mid-January; and Radbird Fashion will move temporarily so its space can be retrofitted.
A party supplies store that has operated in Berkeley for 41 years across several locations is closing, but not before a blow-out sale; meanwhile there's a new rock-n'-roll school in town.
This week: A decades old College Avenue store that took over from a gun shop is consolidating; candies pop up for the holidays; and a co-working/events space has opened in West Berkeley.
The East Bay real estate market is getting a shake-up with the second merger of two independent brokerages this year, while a little boutique has opened in a shipping container in Westbrae.
Changing demographics and difficulties in finding architectural salvage has cut into Ohmega Salvage's business.
The downtown Staples is closing; Berkeley Vacuum has a new home; new arrivals include a fashion school, a kids' clothing store, a replacement for OSH and a career mentoring retreat workshops company.
Comcast exits downtown; the owners of a downtown laundromat cite rent hikes and chronic problems with homeless individuals as reasons for closing down; new spot for Mr. Mopps' bookstore; a new hair salon in SW Berkeley.
New shop brings Korean and Japanese skincare and make-up to downtown Berkeley; plus beloved flower shop moves to Cal, and more.
One store is new, and two others are closing.
Two East Bay real estate firms become one; plus colorful crafts on College and Vintage European Posters says adieu.
Three new businesses — offering clothing, real estate and health products — have opened, plus good-bye to a San Pablo boutique.
Two long-established businesses are closing, but bibliophiles will rush to the pop-up sale of remaining stock at Turtle Island Book Shop.
One store is downsizing, one is moving, and one is threatened with eviction.
Catch up on all the latest local business news.
The owner of a hair salon that has operated in Berkeley for 30 years and is closing, says the risk and liability of running a small business today is "mind-numbing." Catch up with other openings and closings.
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