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.

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.

Boho chic home goods store which also carries some curated body/skincare goods, clothes, purses,…read moreand kitschy gifts. It reminds me a bit of Anthropologie stores but more specialized home designer goods and textiles. Prices range from mid to premium for most items. Cool and trendy shop to look around and find that gift for your worldly friend who may have everything.

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.

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

What an amazing little gift shop. It might be impossible to not find a gift for someone here…read more.. most likely if you're not even actually looking at the time. Bookmark for cards, candles, books, bar accessories, and soap. There's all kinds of funny things, soft things, and things that smell good. It's definitely not super cheap but in a pinch, but it'll save yours. Also, if you're just feeling down and need a laugh, nearly guaranteed. I have done this a few times.

Nathan & Co has a bit of an odd and uncomfortable vibe…read more The service was non-existent (watched but never greeted) and their wares leaned toward low quality high sparkle/high price party supplies and general gifts. Think a more saucy Therapy. They carry some Gentlemans Hardware items, map themed cups and dish towels, but most of them don't feel unique, more like stocking stuffers or hen's party flavors. I'd really land on more of a 3.8 but even rounding up Nathan & Co wasn't my thing and I don't see myself coming back.

I'm a longtime customer and a huge fan of Sobu…read more Their carefully curated inventory is a beautiful blend of exquisite furniture and wares for your home, some of which are their own beautiful designs. Their service is impeccable. They're honestly the nicest people I've ever known. I love everything everything about Sobu.

Very disappointing experience with SOBU. I was given a 3-5 week delivery timeframe but received…read moreabsolutely no communication about my order during that time even after repeatedly calling them for updates. With the expected delivery window coming to an end, I desperately searched for answers so I contacted the warehouse myself out of frustration, only to learn they had no record of my order. It turned out SOBU had missed it during processing and never placed it, and this was only discovered because I dug into it myself. Although they apologized, expedited the shipping and offered a partial refund, the follow-through was still poor. Promises were made that weren't kept, which I was expecting but still irritated by. Seriously though, you guys are a small business; isn't customer service supposed to be your thing? I understand that mistakes happen, but there should have been some alarm bells ringing when I mentioned there had been ZERO communication about my order since I initially placed the order and it was supposed to be delivered within the next 4 days. The freight company (Metropolitan warehouse and delivery) was also a separate issue. They falsely claimed they were attempting delivery when they hadn't even arrived at my home. So just be careful because they do charge a rescheduling fee in that situation. That's not Sobu's fault but just an fyi. The table itself is nice, but the lack of communication and follow-through made the entire experience unnecessarily stressful. I shouldn't have had to do all of this just to get an answer. From initial ordering to delivery took ~7.5 weeks. I'm not sure how much longer it would've taken if I just sat idly by waiting for because "I was still in my delivery window" as they suggested.

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!!!

What a gem of a store. I always love stopping in here, but it wasn't until today that I learned…read moretwo things 1. the store donates a portion of their proceeds to Crisis Support Services of Alameda County and 2. They offer an in-shop 10% discount on plants for teachers, mental health specialists, and social workers! Absolutely Amazing! The store itself is a delight with fun plants including Hoyas (my fave). they also have great gift items including a nice collection of Studio Ghibli items as well as lovely plantable cards and other plant related gifts. The salesperson when we visited yesterday was super friendly and informative. The store is always warm and inviting. Prices seem on point with other similar stores in Oakland. However, have cuttings you can buy at an excellent price. Thanks for being awesome Planterday!

Who would think a small space like this would make such a huge positive impact on your day?…read morePlanterday is my favorite store that I can spend all day. Everything is beautiful here, and they got the coolest studio ghibli items. The love and care that the owners and staff can be felt when you walk around the store. The owners fly back and forth to Japan bringing back all of these delicate items.

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.

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!

Ellington and French is a neighborhood gem. It is the most delightful little gift shop, and it…read morealways smells wonderful the moment you walk through the door. My mother had received an email about their holiday champagne sip and shop sale, so of course we had to go! We were greeted with champagne and chocolate, and it looked like a winter wonderland inside. All of their merchandise is so cute, it was hard not to buy the entire store! We came away with some sweet gift and stocking stuffers for family and hearts full of holiday cheer! If you're ever in the market for a little birthday, holiday, house warming, or "just because" gift; or if you just need a joyful pick me up, stop by Ellington and French!

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.