by Ken Katz
As local businesses continue to suffer from the ravages of the coronavirus, there are several hopeful signs on Grand Avenue. One is a brand new mural on the facade of Natasha Bernard’s Alchemy Restorative Medicine office at 3338 Grand that makes a bold statement: “We’re here to stay! It was painted by Amandalynn, who is a muralist, fine artist, conservator, and art director based in Northern California. Shortly after the office opened, she also did the equally enchanting mural on the interior. Dr. Bernard reports that she is open for in-person and virtual visits and is running her first 21-day group nutrition reboot, which starts on October 16th.
The really big news is that Walden Pond Books is opening their doors to customers today (October 1) and will remain open seven days a week from 10 am – 5 pm, subject to certain restrictions including mask requirements, social distancing, and a maximum of eight customers inside at any one time. All other details are included in the press release appended below from Bob Fisher. Of special note, this:
Walden Pond Books is eternally grateful to the Grand Lake community and to customers all over the country who have supported Walden Pond Books during the past six months of the store’s shutdown. The bookstore has survived and is able to once again open its doors to the public because of this support.
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
WALDEN POND BOOKS
3316 Grand Avenue, Oakland CA 94610
Walden Pond Books, the family-owned independent bookstore that has served the Bay Area’s reading public since 1973, is opening its doors to the public for the first time in over six months this Thursday, October 1, 2020.
Located in the heart of Oakland’s Grand Lake neighborhood at 3316 Grand Avenue, Walden Pond Books ceased allowing public access to the store on March 17 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Store management and staff have been tracking Alameda County COVID-19 case rates and note that Alameda County has finally been moved down to a Tier 2 status from the higher-risk Tier 1.
“Case rates have been dropping and we feel we can safely begin admitting customers into the store with certain limitations,” says store owner Paul Curatolo. “Opening our doors is a decision that was made with the health and safety of our staff and customers as our first priority.”
1. Store occupancy will be limited to eight customers at a time and, if there are people waiting to enter, customers will be asked to limit their browsing time to about a half hour.
2. Customers must wear face masks and must practice social distancing while within the store and while waiting in line to enter.
3. Customers are urged to avail themselves of the hand sanitizer bottles located at the front door and throughout the store.
Walden Pond Books will be open to the public from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm seven days a week beginning Thursday, October 1, but will continue to take book orders over the phone (510-832-4438) for at-the-door pickup. Customers wishing to purchase books online and have their books mailed directly to their home should continue to access the store’s Walden Pond Bookshop website.
Records, calendars, journals, greeting cards, stationery, puzzles, T-shirts, tote bags, buttons, and gift items are available for online purchase with same-day store pickup at the Walden Pond Books Gift Shop site.
Walden Pond Books is eternally grateful to the Grand Lake community and to customers all over the country who have supported Walden Pond Books during the past six months of the store’s shutdown. The bookstore has survived and is able to once again open its doors to the public because of this support.
Stay safe, be calm, and CARRY ON READING!
Media contact: Bob Fisher
cell phone: 510-915-9774
e-mail: fisher13@earthlink.net
store phone: 510-832-4438
