I bought two birthday cards here because I like their greetings and design. Aside from greeting…read morecards, Palm + Perkins has a ton of other items that range from small gifts and home decor to overlooked kitchen utensils (like wine stoppers) and other knick knacks. Considering the small space, the store has a surprisingly large selection of items and it's all well organized. When checking out, the cashier was friendly and rang me up quickly. When I'm looking for a greeting card, gift or needing to stock up on utensils/tools for the house and kitchen, I will come back to Palm + Perkins. Just a thoughtful, gem of a store in the neighborhood.

Stopping by Palm + Perkins is like therapy (this was especially true this holiday season since we…read moredidn't see family or go anywhere). It's really like a candy store for adults - there's something amazing (and made my local makers) in every corner you look! On this most recent visit, I went a couple days after Christmas and stocked up on holiday cards and ornaments for 2021 since all their holiday items were 50% off. The entire store was also 25% off as per their end-of-year sale. They have a fantastic selection of cards, gifts, homewares, jewelry, accessories, and select clothing items. It's the perfect place to treat yourself or others. They're doing a great job limiting people in their store and have hand sanitizer available.

There are lots of gift shops around. They all look like they are supplied by the same vendors. I…read moredon't bother reviewing most of them. So it's not able when a shop stands out because of their selection of things that I might actually buy! Eclecticism! Maison d'Etre is one of those (and there are others on the same street!). I was impressed, and felt certain that they would have goods that changed over time as well. No mere Therapy store here! Best way to know what I'm talking about is to check out all the pictures.

Excellent customer service was on full display today as the store's employees calmly and…read moreprofessionally handled a very difficult customer. Despite offering multiple resolution options, the customer, clearly trying to provoke a confrontation, resorted to name-calling and unreasonable demands. Aside from that incident, the store itself offers a variety of unique items that make great gifts for loved ones, or even a treat for yourself!

Veranda offers an incredible curated shopping experience. I love the timeless elegance and the…read moreeffortless sophistication. When you step in, it doesn't just feel like a store; it's a sanctuary with exquisitely arranged displays, an inviting aroma of diffused essential oils, and a welcoming ambiance. They specialize in upscale home decor and home goods, bringing together classic and contemporary styles. Their range of selections from local designers, artisans, and artists, plus the emphasis on eco-conscious brands. If you're looking for gift ideas, then definitely stop by. The customer service is another standout feature. They're incredibly knowledgeable with offering home design tips and offering style ideas. We spent quite some time chatting with the proprietors and learned that they offer subscription boxes for pickup! If that sounds interesting, definitely look into it! I came here with a group for a candle-making class and it was fantastic. Everyone enjoyed the experience! I highly recommend!

Located in Oakland, Veranda is an absolute treasure trove for home decor enthusiasts! This upscale…read moreBlack owned business is a must-visit. From the moment you walk in you are enveloped by the elegance and style. There is often tea, coffee or delicious fresh baked goods . The curated selection of HomeGoods is breathtaking. Every piece is thoughtfully chosen with a perfect blend of modern and classic aesthetics. The owners are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about their products and the staff is very kind and make the shopping experience even more enjoyable if you're looking to elevate your homes ambience, or even buy a friend or loved one a an elevated, quality item for their home or even for their pet, Veranda is undoubtably the place to go! Prices are fair for this type of shop. In addition, Veranda also hosts themed nights and classes in-store to learn how to make things such as wreaths etc., where you must sign up in advance. It's so special. I love this store and their owners, so much! #SupportBlackBusiness

Always the best spot for gifts. Megan was an absolute gem this afternoon. Wonderful energy and her…read morewrapping was such a sweet added touch. Reminded me why I keep coming back!

This delightful shop has been my yearly go-to for all things Christmas shopping. They have gifts of…read moreall kinds; gifts for the cooks, cocktail drinkers, game fanatics, adventurers/nature lovers, and spiritual/horoscope gifts! Be aware, everything is very high quality, so prepare to spend a pretty penny when checking out. The staff is always so warm and friendly and they offer gift wrapping! Truly love this shop, I could spend hours here just hunting for the perfect gift.

Bought a Woody sofa. The seat cushion was not holding up. Cushion was replaced with one that was…read moreuncomfortable from day one. Sobu has refused to do anything about this. Terrible customer service. Do not recommend.

Love Sobu so much that our friends think we somehow share in the ownership structure ha! We…read moreparticularly love the oak pieces and have had a few for quite a long time but their rug collection is also very nice and we have two. Even though we've moved out of Oakland we still come visit whenever we are in town and regularly order to LA where we currently live. So glad to have discovered this store many years ago when we were living there and I think folks in other cities are missing out if they haven't discovered it too. I can't wait to buy my next piece - we have like 3 that were just waiting on a sale to buy :-)

Very nice stuff. I wish there were more tops with a tapered, flattering fit--they're all very boxy.read more

I always loved visiting Old Yak Bazaar! We need more fair trade stores, and this is one of my…read morefavorites--thoughtfully curated with a calming aura. They have a great selection of unique/cute/pretty items (art, jewelry, clothes, decor, greeting cards, etc.) that I could easily spend over an hour poring through, even though the physical shop is small. I love that all their items are fair trade or made in the USA, all ethically made! Every purchase supports a good cause. The owner is friendly too; he'd always make a point to say hello with a warm smile. He also tolerated the many times I spent forever browsing through the shop while on a grad-student budget (that is to say: waiting for special occasions to make my purchases). I never felt rushed--just welcomed.

First new "Happy" find on my college walk north of the Rockridge Bart station…read more The place is rockin' lots of color for home indoor and outdoor reminding us all how beautiful California living is. You can colorful table cloths that will brighten any outdoor barbecue you plan to have this summer or next. I ended up buying a tablecloth full of oranges! Did a little Christmas pre-shopping for friends who hold California dear to them but moved away for all sort of reasons. Bought a beautiful Californian with a golden Poppy, the states official flower. I would encourage all to put this on your next must visit. And their clothing for the little ones in your life.

I walked into this newly opened store on College Avenue in Rockridge and was instantly charmed. The…read morestore is packed full of fun and neat items for home and gifts. There is a large selection of mugs, puzzles, knick-knacks, accessories, and more. The owner, Gretchen, was friendly and helpful. Such a great new addition to the neighborhood. Check it out!!!

Lovely selection of green guys, plus they have carnivorous varietals! Standard pricing and some…read morelittle plantings that are such a great deal. Excellent service at this shop and 10% off for educators, social service and mental health providers. Will be my go-to small shop when I need some plant therapy in the future.

This is a super cute plant store! It had a good selection for smaller plants. We were looking for a…read morelarger plant, and didn't find it here. But we enjoyed looking around. It was mainly for indoor plants. Price is decent.

There is no place like this place. It's such a beautiful store, filled with all sorts of absolutely…read moreexquisite things, nothing like typical Mexican import places. You feel like you're in a museum surrounded by artifacts, except the prices are so reasonable. Talavera Ceramics brings the real Mexico to us. And there's no one like Lilia, the amazingly knowledgeable gal who has run the place for 20 years. She and the store are truly Bay Area treasures!

We are so happy to have our wood burning oven finally completed. The tiles we chose were special…read moreorder, but work the wait. This oven has been used for years and we finally got our tiles done, long over due. There were so many options, it was hard to choose.

Fabulous neighborhood GEM as another reviewer mentioned. The shop has a wide variety of treasures…read morelow and high end prices. I find the staff to be friendly and helpful but they don't breathe down your neck, nor are they over the top with bothering you if you just want to browse. Definitely pop in when you're nearby it will bring a smile to your face.

I've worked in retail and customer service. I know things go wrong. Stores aren't made by being…read moreperfect, they're made by how they respond when things aren't. I ordered two Kickee Pants fitted sheets that arrived rolled in an envelope, smelling like mildew and stiff to the touch. The owner's response was that they disclose the no-packaging policy on their website ... fair, but that doesn't explain mildew. And it's worth noting that shipping without packaging saves the store money, not the customer. When I asked for a prepaid return label given the condition, I was told that's never their policy. When I pushed back, the woman replied screenshots attached, that my "life is laughably small" if I consider $100 a premium purchase and that I "wasn't worth the time." I don't know who thinks it's acceptable in this economy to say that to a customer spending $100 on toddler sheets. But apparently Denise doesn't need your money, because $100 means nothing to her. Spend your money somewhere that treats you like a person.