by Ken Katz The best Grand Avenue news this month came in the form an article in The Oaklandside by C. J. Hirschfield announcing that the annual City Noir Film Festival was moving from San Francisco to the Grand Lake Theatre. Produced, programmed, and hosted by “Noir Czar” Eddie Muller, this year’s festival, titled “They […]
Grand Avenue Merchant News
Grand Avenue Merchant News – December 2021
by Ken Katz We don’t typically spend a lot of time in beauty supply stores or barber shops, but a Friday afternoon visit to Grand Avenue turned out to be a treasure trove of information and photo opportunities. Mimi Moon, the owner of J & J Beauty Supplies, says she’s been in business at 3242 […]
Grand Avenue Merchant News – November 2021
by Ken Katz In the May 2021 Grand Avenue Business report we happily reported that “the reopening of Knimble earlier this week was the very best news on the retail front.” Six months later, we are regrettably reporting that the big news on the retail front this month is their upcoming closure in January 2022. […]
Grand Avenue Merchant News – October 2021
by Ken Katz Tomorrow will be a memorable day on Grand Avenue. For starters, Michael’s Chocolates (owned and operated by Michael Benner) is hosting a soft opening beginning at noon in the space recently vacated by Michael Mischer. He will continue serving Almare Gelato, and chocolates of course–though Michael B. was quick to note that […]
Grand Avenue Merchant News – September 2021
by Ken Katz Maestro? A drumroll please.We have several exciting developments to report, beginning with… Bake Sum quietly opened a couple of weeks ago, albeit with very limited hours on Fridays and Saturdays only until they are fully staffed and trained. The interior is very well done and our hats are off for anybody that […]
Grand Avenue Merchant News – August 2021
Editor’s Note: A comment posted on last month’s Grand Avenue merchant update prompted us to take a long walk this past Friday from the theater up to Safeway and back–something we hadn’t attempted for a very long time. As a result, we can now report on Pacific Nail’s closing, a change in ownership at what […]
Grand Avenue Merchant News – July 2021
by Ken Katz Things are hopping on Grand Avenue, as business is returning to normal, and we’ve got some big news to report. The other day, Anthony Bennett, the owner of Antiques Collected Four 32 and the spokesperson for the Grand Avenue Business Association, alerted us to a new shop at 474 Santa Clara called […]
Grand Avenue Merchant News – June 2021
by Ken Katz As we reported last month, Alyce on Grand owner Alyce Preston was about to move (for about the fourth time) to a new location. This one is two doors up the block at 3231 Grand—the former home of Oak Common. When interviewed on Friday (three weeks after reopening) Alyce confided that this […]
Grand Avenue Merchant News – May 2021
by Ken Katz This year’s Mother’s Day (May 9) will be particularly memorable, especially for all the mothers and grandmothers out there who, due to COVID restrictions and health concerns, have been unable to see (let alone hug) their children and grandchildren for well over a year. All three of the florists on Grand (Brother […]
Grand Avenue Merchant News – April 2021
by Ken Katz The biggest single news item for Grand Avenue is that the vacant Aisle 5 space has been leased and remodeling is already well underway. It’s going to reopen as a “tapas and champagne lounge” called “Mimosa on Grand.” We had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Chris Rachal, on Tuesday, and he […]