2 Berkeley businesses pair up to provide hospital gowns where they’re needed
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital wants the gowns it uses normally to go to hospitals that need them. A garage and a sewing studio stepped in with a smart idea.
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Business
Top Stories
Berkeleyside launches platform for local businesses to share fundraisers
Today we launched a “Pitch in to help local workers” page to help local businesses.
Food pantries rally to help those made food insecure by COVID-19
In order to maintain social distancing, many food banks are handing out prepackaged containers of food.
Shop Talk
Shop Talk: Paraiso Plant Studio; Title Nine; Jest Jewels; Sola Lucy
A plants and design store has opened in Trumpetvine Court downtown; Jest Jewels and Sola Lucy are closing up shop; and Title IX is on the move.
Shop Talk: Scarlet Salon; Reuse Arts & Crafts; Lacquerbar
Four hair stylists who worked together at Festoon have come together to open a new salon; there is a new store to buy art and crafts made from recycled materials.
Shop Talk: Fantastic Comics; Sundhari Holistic Spa; Rabana; Yves Jewelry and Judaica
More shops are closing or moving because of lagging sales than are opening this month.
Shop Talk: Molly B to close original store; Papyrus and Urban Outfitters shutter
Declining sales contributed to the decision to shutter Molly B in North Shattuck, but not before a close-out sale. Urban Outfitters faced the same issue, while Papyrus has shut its 254 shops nationwide.
Nosh
Berkeley Whole Foods markets to remain open during nationwide worker ‘sick-out’
The Whole Foods press office said all stores will be open tomorrow, but will the workers be there?
Saul’s Deli almost had a new owner, then the coronavirus crisis hit. Now what?
After two weeks of takeout service, the longtime owners have shut down the restaurant, but they hope to eventually reopen and find a way to “make Saul’s strong again.”
How East Bay grocery stores are responding to COVID-19
As the pandemic continues, markets have been addressing new challenges to keep stores stocked, while maintaining safety for its customers and workers.
Recent Stories
Laid off during pandemic, Berkeley workers struggle and get creative
Florists, hair stylists, housekeepers, retail workers, security guards and booksellers: they’re all in the same boat.
Small businesses have until April 6 to apply to Berkeley Relief Fund
Berkeley is distributing $3 million and the Berkeley Relief Fund hopes to distribute another $3 million. The deadline for arts organizations is April 20. There is a rolling deadline for renters.
If you can sew, you can help those on the front lines of the COVID-19 fight
Some hospitals are using fabric masks over N95 masks as they can be removed and sanitized. Other agencies want them for their work with the elderly or the homeless.
Update: Berkeley amends its shutdown order for cannabis businesses; curbside pick-up once again allowed
Even curbside pickup has been stopped. The order means most of Berkeley’s cannabis businesses will close as they don’t have delivery service.
‘I am scared. I don’t know if we will make it through’: Berkeley business owners on coping with COVID-19
With customers scarce or non-existent, many businesses have laid off their entire staffs. Some are pivoting online to capture revenue. All are hoping for community support.
Restaurants can now sell beer, wine and cocktails to-go during shelter-in-place, but will that help keep them around?
Although some owners are hopeful that eased alcohol regulations will help their businesses stay afloat, so far sales remain slow.
