In an April 2023 article titled, “Starbucks Closure Adds to a Long List of Vacancies,” we reported that thirteen storefronts on Lakeshore were unoccupied — one of which had actually already reopened as the vegan offspring of Rico Rico Taco. It’s safe to say that the situation has improved remarkably since the spring. This past […]
Neighborhoods
Lakeshore Avenue Update – October 2023
If you’re not already aware of this, Soroush Ghaderi, the long-time owner of Mama’s Royal Cafe has purchased and is now operating Shakewell. We’re delighted to share his heartfelt message: It is with great enthusiasm and a deep sense of responsibility that I greet you as the new owner of Shakewell. Some of you may […]
Lakeshore BID – July 2023 News
by Racheal Scott Weekend before last, a drag show at Shakewell organized by Tim Nugent raised $10,000 to support the Oakland LGBTQ Center. A great time was had by all. Hipline has six pop-ups scheduled for July — the first of which, the Outdoor Shimmy Pop Express with Alicia is Saturday, July 1. Across the […]
Lakeshore Home for the Holidays
by Kira Pascoe – November was a pivotal month giving much of Oakland a burst of homegrown pride as we continue to weather the challenges of 2020. Oakland native Kamala Harris, daughter of two immigrants, is the first South Asian, African American, and female vice-president-elect (that is three firsts!). December’s blog celebrates the beautiful diversity right here […]
LAKE MERRITT LAUNDROMAT UPGRADES
By Sheila McCormick Confession: I last used a laundromat about 30 years ago, and that was because the knob and tube wiring in the house we’d just moved into didn’t have the capacity to run our washer and dryer. Once we upgraded the power, no more need. Lake Merritt Laundromat, at 500 Wesley Ave., was taken over […]
CONDO DEVELOPMENT AT 601 MACARTHUR – UPDATE
Update on Condos at 601 MacArthur – Later Than Sooner There was another informational meeting on June 20th, held at St. Vartan’s church. The developer, Lake House Development (LHD), was represented by Public Affairs Director Valerie Camarda and Architect Tony Pantaleoni. As there was a city council meeting that same evening, Councilman Abel Guillen […]
An Old Generation Treat for a New Generation
10:15 pm on a Tuesday night and Lakeshore Avenue is dead. A few cars whiz past on the street and some stop to park outside closed shops and restaurants. The thick, sticky, sweet scent of sugared treats wafts down the sidewalk pulling people into the only business that’s open at this end of the block. […]
GRAND AVENUE, WEST OF 580 – July 2017
Farewell: After four years authoring Grand Avenue West of 580 articles as “LZ”, this will be my final column. My husband and I are moving to Michigan where we will live in another vibrant and emerging neighborhood (Old Town, Lansing) and be close to our son, his wife, and our 3 grandchildren. It took all […]
New Sneaker Store on Wesley Avenue
Ten/11, billed as Oakland’s Premier Sneaker Store and located at 494 Wesley Avenue, had its Grand Opening on May 13th. I stopped in to check it out a week later and chatted with the owner, Peter Abramov, and his store manager, Qais Shaghasi. This space, in the same building as the Leaning Tower of Pizza, […]
Grand Avenue West of 580 – June 2017
1888 Coffee Station at Bacheesos “Taste this Warriors Smoothie,” encouraged Muhammad Diaw, manager of 1888 Coffee Station at Bacheesos (opened April 2), as I walked to the carry-out window nestled next to Bacheesos Mediterranean Restaurant (previously featured in this blog). “It’s got avocado, mango, pineapple, carrot, spinach, kale, orange juice, and a little bit of […]