Oooh such a cute spot for books, records, and vintage clothing! I love that everything here is used…read morebooks from locals - I found two books and I'm excited to come back! Great curation, and it's really a nice pulse on what the community is reading!

Rocket Reuse is a fun shop to browse for vintage clothing, used books and music. They used to be in…read morea smaller space across the street. Now, their shop in downtown Alameda is twice the size. The space is well laid out with various sections, making it easier to browse. Really cute vintage shop with nice owners and unique selection of items. They even had old school board games! Rocket Reuse evokes a simpler time-come check them out.

I'll write a review since I've been coming here for about a year or more and I'll just say 1) she's…read moregreat, a sweet lady! 2) Her rule about not trying on wigs is indeed a bad call, in my opinion, and I think she should repeal it. Since the days I've blew a bag at her store were when I was able to try on wigs. And I have seen her scare off some customers by not letting them try on wigs, but I see why she'd hesitate to let 7 teenagers in a pack wander in at once to try a lot of wigs they may not buy.... a gamble though, what if they all spent their allowance to buy one and became customers? (I think her "pay 2 to 5 bucks for wig caps for hygiene reasons" works well, and I've never had an issue with that. Sometimes she'll bend the new rules a bit about 'no wig trying on', I remember I once almost swore from coming back when a rich date I had was told he couldn't try on a 100$ wig, {she didn't know his income, and figured he was just a straight dude playing around and not a fancy actor trying to expand his look seriously,} but he was charming, so next thing you know he was trying them on and balling out. I'm just saying.) But I like her store. I remember the first time I ever came into her store, she was shocked to see how I somehow fit my medium sized box braids under a bob wig like it was nothing. Always fun at her store, I like to come here and get a new wig whenever I want an uplift. She always reminds me that they're not everyday wigs, and little does she know the wig quality holds up amazingly. The colorful wigs are like 29 bucks lowest (plus 3 bucks tax) and the more pricey colorful ones are like 50 bucks. And i turn HEADS, like full on stopped in the street 7 times in a night to get complimented because of how realistic and iconic the wigs here are, high quality and really nice colors! And people think it's my real hair, I like wearing these more than my natural hair colored Outre wigs. I wear them so often, its a blast. So if you want starburst pink Sabrina Carpenter tresses, periwinkle blue swishy bobs, a Smores platinum blonde bob reminiscent of Xtina Aguilera meets Britney Spears, long red Ariel-like flowy siren hair, or anything, come here. Sue is so sweet. I hope if you've had a tricky experience here, you can give her a second chance. Since funny enough, the place used to be a VHS and DVD store named "Alameda Wigs" with maybe 10 wigs in a small corner of the two room sized store FILLED to the brim with blu-rays, and I remember I came in like a year or so ago like "Hello! Is it okay if I try on a wig?", and she was so baffled and shook that someone wanted a wig. Like, amazingly hilariously baffled, as if I was a biblical angel delivering a prophecy that her wig shop should, yknow, sell wigs. I think people just never stopped by before, since it was a DVD shop in 2024 labelled a wig shop, and so it just was a new concept to her to expand into that territory, yknow? And next time I came in a month later, bet your ass all the tapes were gone and it was ALL WIGS and she had a huge smile on her face. And a lot of new customers! Amen! She seems new to selling wigs specifically and just seems to want to have a high quality hygienic reputation, but I promise it's worth it even to gamble on a wig that seems like it'd be a good fit for you. Even my big HUGE head can fit the wigs, and maybe she'll let you try on a wig if you come in consistently and are polite. (And maybe ask to double cap and reassure you're serious.)

If you or a loved one are struggling with hair loss for any reason and need a wig, this is the…read moreplace to go. They have a wonderful selection of high quality wigs. The owner is very gracious and patient. She gives you the time you need to browse wigs and then will help you fit the wigs gently, giving plenty of space to get a feel for them. You have to use a store supplied new wig cap before trying on, which is a good thing! Highly recommend!

We visited Amoeba Music yesterday, and the staff there were so welcoming to our doggie Meatball…read more They even gave him some treats. So nice! :) I bookmarked this spot to visit since it was my boyfriend's 1st visit in Berkeley, and I thought this was a cool store to check out. We did have to check in his backpack at the entrance of the store, which is no issue. They have lots of selection of music, and my bf found a vinyl that he has been looking for a long time - The Big Lebowski one. He was so happy! This is definitely a good spot to check out if you're into music and especially if you want to get vinyls and cds. They also have some cool lunch boxes and posters as well plus other interesting items. Parking in Berkeley can be tough though. We drive around for about 18 minutes before we finally found a spot to park.

The customer service here is very poor. The person at the door explained their policy to us in an…read moreirritated manner, as if we were supposed to know that we cannot wait at the counter while the DVDs are being evaluated for pricing. On top of that, I asked an employee where their DVDs are, as not every section is clearly marked, and he pointed below me and said they are right down there as if I was supposed to know that. I was not expecting this kind of horrible customer service. It was my first time here and will definitely be my last.

Another excellent music store with a huge selection and reasonable prices on a lot of the items…read more Both Rasputin and Ameba (when they both open, check hours) make for a perfect record shopping day in Berkeley. Really happy with the selection here but of course that opinion is bit subjective, its well worth the trip if you are a tourist staying in San Francisco. Easy to get to on the bart, a short walk from the station.

Cool spot near Amoeba, making it easy to check out both stores while you're in the area. They have…read morea decent selection of CDs and vinyl across almost every genre, along with movies downstairs. The basement and main floors are open for browsing, while you'll need to ask the front desk to access the classical section upstairs. Prices are fair at the most part, and it's a great place to revisit occasionally to see what rare or collectible items have come in. There is also plenty of good restaurants and coffee spots nearby too.

i came along with my friend: he came to trade in DVDs and movies for cash. this place feels like a…read morethrowback, because you see all types of movies, films and vinyls counting back to the 50's i was thrilled when i saw a Juice WRLD Vinyl, so i had to cop it. the price was $20 for mines, but others vinyls hit the range of $100-$300, so there's plenty to discover in this Music Store i left with my Vinyl, and ma boii with good money, so it was an amazing visit for us at Rasputin

4+ I've been to another Rasputin's location before. This location is unique in that it's connected…read morewith a second hand clothing store as well (Anastasia's). I went with some family to look for records so my experience is more for the records side. The overall space is huge. I feel like it was at some point a big box retail store that was converted. The folks here are friendly and helpful and the selection and prices are great and are pretty much in line with market if not slightly lower. I ended up buying a couple of new records as they got some stock on Record Store Day here as well in addition to their usual huge inventory of used (and new) records. I even got to replace an old Rolling Stones live record that I loved (and at some point lost in my own collection). There's a big parking lot and it's fairly easy to find parking. It was a little hectic when we went, only because it was on Black Friday.

What a cool place!…read more You can find things from vinyls to comics, to toys. There is a whole lot to see. At one of the desks, I received a free postcard and business card--which was cool. I also noticed they have a Photobooth. I believe it's $7 for two strips.

I still remember when this location was Park Bowl, but that was (gasp) over thirty years ago when…read morebowling was still a popular social activity. I myself was on a bowling team named the Orient Express, and I wish I still had my red team shirt with the dragon on the back. But I digress as this has been an independent record store since 1997, an offshoot of the Berkeley store on Telegraph. Digital downloads be damned, this shop is focused on physical media...CDs, DVDs, cassette tapes, Blu-rays, and of course, vinyl. Even before picking up spares at Park Bowl, I recall that moment in my youth when I made the monumental decision to switch my record purchases from vinyl to CDs. Nowadays, vinyl is making a comeback among a younger generation looking for a higher quality, more realistic sound quality. I saw these Gen Z audiophiles flipping through the long LP bins in search of the elusive underground classic their stereophonic friends could appreciate and envy. Personally I could find nuggets of my own. Albums like The Very Best of Spike Jones (Photo 10) and The Complete 2,000 Year Old Man (Photo 5) resonated with me. I was happy to see individual LPs consolidated into boxed sets like the Linda Ronstadt retrospective. Beyond the music is the expansive DVD collection of movie titles both classic and obscure. There's also books and collectible merchandise like pop-culture lunch boxes and celebrity prayer candles. I'm not sure I need a candle that deifies Aubrey Plaza, but it's good to know where I can get one. RELATED - Exploring the Haight? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/Mq6DbbrGGJ

I finally got a chance to stop by and so glad I did! I bought many BT21 items and BTS photo cards…read more The two employees were very friendly and helpful! After my transaction we just chatted for a few mins. I told her I would come back and bring my sister and I mean it! Thank you for your hospitality and see you soon! Everyone please give them a visit!

We came into KPOP Nation right before the TWICE concert looking for a lightstick. It was a last…read moreminute stop, and they did not have the exact version we were originally looking for, so we were ready to walk out without buying anything. Then we were helped by one of the employees, and everything changed. She was incredibly kind, understanding, and patient. She genuinely wanted to help us and made the experience feel welcoming rather than rushed or transactional. Because of her attitude and customer service, we decided we wanted to support the store anyway. To top it all off, she told us ahead of time that the lightstick needed batteries and then gave them to us. That honesty and generosity completely caught us off guard in the best way possible. Thanks to her, we were prepared and stress free going into the concert. Experiences like this are why local shops matter. We will definitely come back whenever we are in the area. Thank you so much.

Very friendly lady helped us find the Chinese "lysee" red envelopes with our last name.read more

New Idea obviously sells DVDs and cell phone accessories. the store wasn't fully stocked as the…read morepics show. more like bare bones. not much into DVD's these days. time constraints. buys: tsing tao newspaper (.60) note: -many stores in chinatown selling cell phone accessories now.

I've come here now two times after passing by for years but being too busy to stop in. It is…read morecrammed inside. Watch your step, and start browsing. When I came in a few weeks ago I was the only one inside and was looking for Queen - Hot Space. Who I assume to be the shop owner knew he didn't have it, but showed me the Queen section and I walked out with The Game. There was also a flyer at the checkout area advertising a record sale going on at USF, so props for advertising other record finding events. Everything isn't here. It's a local vinyl shop that has so much to look through, and if you're into that then this is the record shop for you. It gives me the thrill of thrifting back in 2007-2016, but for records. I walked out with international vinyls showcasing music from Brazil and Nicaragua last weekend, but finding the Thriller album was icing on the cake. I wasn't really looking for it, but there is a Jackson 5 section showcasing many of the Jackson 5 albums and their individual projects. Service - I had great service the first time I went because no one else was there. The second time I went, the service was still good but being that it was busy, he pointed me to the exact locations I could find what I was looking for if it was there. I feel like he really knows his shop, and that in itself is valuable. There are many, many vinyls. They're organized as well.

Groove Yard is a gem. Rick is one of those rare shop owners who makes you feel immediately welcome,…read moreand he truly knows his collection. There's always an amazing variety of vinyl to dig through, and the prices are great. Highly recommend this local record store.

Favorite book store to get me all stimulated over cozy coloring books and markers! Crayons too!!!!…read moreValue is honestly a bit much but it's worth supporting local. Staff is super nice too. I purchase cards here over the store across the street. Books Inc is much friendly and never watches me like a hawk

Books Inc is now under the umbrella of the Barnes & Noble brand. Despite this, this location still…read moreretains its independent/community feel. The staff are helpful and kind here. And I love coming in to peruse their curated and staff choice books, which changes a d rotates frequently. There's a decent selection of books on sale at the back left corner of their store if you want to shop for deals. The kiddie corner has a seated area for families/children to spend a little time looking through the books before you purchase. There's also regular author readings/signings and poetry recital events during certain early afternoon or evenings at the bookstore, which is posted on a section of their wall, facing out from their left window display. If you had a rewards membership with Books Inc, you can transfer your points and member ID info over to the Barnes & Noble rewards program.