Posts Tagged ‘Business’
Reggie Bailey’s Barbershop
“My last trip in the penitentiary, I had to make a decision on what I wanted to do with my life,” said Reggie Bailey, sitting in the swiveling barber chair in his small shop in the heart of downtown Oakland. “I just decided to go to barber college.”
Read MoreNearby shops give mixed reports on Occupy Oakland’s effect on sales
As the Occupy Oakland encampment grew, shop owners offer mixed reports on whether the protest has been good or bad for business.
Read MoreMeet the nation’s first green auto showroom on Oakland’s Auto Row
As the market for eco-friendly vehicles grows, car dealers across the country are seeking new ways to capture the attention of green-minded drivers. Honda of Oakland has made a bid to attract those drivers as they shop for their next car on Oakland’s Auto Row by opening the nation’s first showroom dedicated exclusively to the hybrid and alternative-fuel cars of a major car company.
Read MoreOakland Animal Shelter has a full house
At the intersection of Fruitvale Blvd. and the railway tracks, despite the traffic noise, there’s another noise that stands out —the barking of dogs in the big fenced back yard of the Oakland Animal Shelter. The dogs bark over the sounds of trucks, cars, and freeway, over the railway track’s light signals, and are an…
Read MoreVIDEO: What’s in your box? CSA members look forward to spring
by Elise Craig and Brittney Johnson/Oakland North Community Supported Agriculture or CSAs are programs that allow consumers to skip the grocery store and buy their produce directly from farmers. Every week, subscribers get a box full of the fresh fruit and veggies of the season delivered to a pick up spot near their homes. Some…
Read MoreOakland’s pushcart organizers fight illegal street vending
By Anna Bloom/Special to Oakland North Emilia Otero, and her daughter, Shelly Garza, longtime organizers of food vendors in East Oakland, say they are seeing a marked increase in illegal street vending.
Read MoreA tribute to Kasper’s: History, in hot dogs
Her water broke. They grabbed what they needed, scrambled out of the house and hit the road. The couple finally arrived, and it wasn’t a minute too soon. The husband jumped out of the car and rushed inside to the counter. “I’ll take two hot dogs please—to go!” he said. “I can’t tell you how…
Read MoreAnxiety and rumors at armed robbers’ apparent shopping center of choice
About a month ago, the North Oakland branch of the San Leandro-based chain Pet Food Express was hit by an armed robber. Two weeks later, it happened again, this time at the Pet Food Express Rockridge store, located in the Safeway shopping center at 51st and Broadway. According to employees, it was the same…
Read MoreBucking the myth: There is no upside to the downturn
In tough economic times, you’d think 99-cent stores, pawnshops and thrift stores would be thriving. They’re not. Behind the counter of 41st Discount, a 99-cent store on 41st and Telegraph, stands store owner Omar Alrahimee, surrounded by phone cards, incense oils, microwave popcorn, “God Bless the USA” bumper stickers, and cigarettes (his best selling item).…
Read MoreKicking off ‘Recessionomics’
Howdy, Oakland North readers! My name is Melanie and I’ll be your faithful recessiononomics blogger here on the site. I’ll be taking a look at how Oakland is dealing with these crazy economic times–where we’re getting hit the hardest, creative ways to save money, you name it. This blog will be 150% better with comments…
Read MoreState furloughs hit local DMV office
California now requires that workers take two unpaid days off each month. Oakland North’s Lauren Rudser and Brittney Johnson talk to a furloughed worker from the Department of Motor Vehicles about the state’s attempt to save money.
Read MoreOakland home values a block-by-block prospect
By Elise Craig and Melanie Mason/Oakland North On the corner of 34th Street and Market Street in Oakland, a Coldwell Banker sign is attached to a chain link fence in front of a house with graffiti-covered boarded windows. Beside it, a black arrow on a yellow plastic sign points to a real estate auction…
Read MoreDownsizing a household in the wake of foreclosure
As foreclosures force more people out of their homes across the Bay Area, people like Patricia Lewis are having to adjust to smaller living spaces. Oakland North’s Brittney Johnson talks to Lewis as she holds a garage sale to get rid of many of her old possessions and help her fit into a new apartment.
Read MoreTemescal sets up holiday ice rink–without ice
by ANNA BLOOM Dec. 20–Snow on Mt. Diablo was one thing, but ice skating in Temescal… without ice? The Temescal Telegraph Business Improvement District is making no small plans to attract holiday shoppers to their neck of North Oakland this weekend. Beyond the usual good cheer, Santa and Christmas carols, the district’s first annual Holiday…
Read MoreCity’s oddest supplies shop facing hard times too
There’s only one store in Oakland that might carry embalming fluid, doll parts, and toilet paper rolls–and economic hard times have landed here, too. Click here for the story and audio slides.
Read MoreObama gear a hot sell, local businesses say
Business is actually brisk in one corner of American retail: Obama gear. McCain gear? In North Oakland, not so much. Click here for the story.
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