This is a fun place to go! It's antiquing on a grand scale. Set on the old runway at Alameda Naval…read moreAir Force Base, right next to the loading docks. There are hundreds of booths. There are lots of bathrooms. There is food. There is a parking lot. I can tell you that later in the day it's going to be hard to get parking. There will be a super long line to get in there. So we don't go very often but it's fine. You could spend like three or four hours walking through the whole place. The vendors are super friendly. With hundreds of birth comes tons of selection and the value is pretty good. You can get good deals.

Every first Sunday you can find some hidden gems at Alameda Flea. From DVD, VHS tapes, rustic…read morepaintings, clothing, rugs to beer steins - there is no shortage of items. However, the parking situation can be quite tedious when arriving after 10am. The entrance fee varies based on the time you come in, with the most expensive being when they open at 6am ($20). My family and I got there around 11am and it was a $10 entrance fee. They do allow re-entries so long as you get a handstamp before exiting. Today was my first time visiting and I was taken aback by how pricey a lot of items were - especially the clothing. Many were priced higher than new items. The food vendors present were underwhelming. We had Donna's Tamales and it was quite bland and overpriced. They charged me $18 for 2 corn chili tamales. My husband and I had hoped to find some items for our new spot, but left empty handed. Not sure I will be back for how marked up the items were.

Quality/Quantity - 40 to 50+ vendors, think COOP. See…read morepictures. Sorry, I could have done a better job with taking pictures. Atmosphere - I forget how big this place was. Security and bag check as you enter. She even laughed at my joke that my wife could fit a couch in my wife's purse, lol. Even when it was Bed, Bath and Beyond, the size always surprised me. Bathrooms I believe are in the very back of the building but I did not check or use them. Open 7 days a week from 11am to 7pm. Usually plenty of street parking, 2-4 hours free. But not today; it was crazy busy. We noticed a farmers market a block away...??? Paid parking garages are also available. Service - Friendly door greeter. Again, she even laughed at my joke, lol. Price - Depends on what you buy. Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 2016.

Found some great items here today. Namely, Abraham, Palatnik, mother, and baby giraffes in Lucite…read more I added them to my collection and I am so excited to now have them.

This is a great quarterly event - loads of wonderful must haves for your home and garden. I always…read morefind perfect gifts for family and friends (plus something for me that I didn't know I had to have.) Laurie makes shopping easy and fun! Check out her blog for when the next Thrill of The Hunt is scheduled. (lauriericksecker.com)

From the owner: Complete Interior Design services as well as personal shopping; staging; and twice-a-year home and…read moregarden accessories sale.

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

Adorable, not-inexpensive antique- and vintage-furniture store. They sell everything from couches…read moreto bookends, reupholstered old chairs with gilded edges, old antique books for your bookshelves, cherub lamps, plates, and even houseplants. It's delightful to walk around and discover small treasures. They apparently also reupholster modern furniture, too.

My new favorite design store in the East Bay. I'd been wanting a reason to engage Mignonne in some…read morecapacity since purchasing my small, unique home in Oakland. I prefer items with character and a story, as opposed to an off the shelf, Pottery Barn-esque aesthetic. That doesn't mean I don't do "high/low"...I most definitely DO. But it's gotta be interesting and not matchy matchy. After searching for *months* for the right wall mirror to brighten my semi-dark bedroom, I found the perfect piece at Mignonne. But let's start by telling by the truth: I was lured into the store by the owner's beautiful dog, Sailor, who was sunning herself in her window perch on a recent Sunday. I just happened to have another errand on the same stretch of San Pablo Ave (the power of dogs!) Sailor is so sweet and welcoming...after she got me in, she literally followed me around the shop sniffing out the items that would look great in my place. EUREKA! We spotted a cool, vintage mirror in an interesting shape. However, I found the wood a little dark for my space. Not only did Johnelle negotiate a reasonable price on the piece, she worked with me on an interesting "whitewash" finish that changed the entire look by lightening up the wood. I could not be more thrilled with the finished product! The wood finish Johnelle chose maintained the integrity of the wood grain (even highlighted it) and lent the simple piece a truly one of a kind look. It's so cool that when another customer spotted them working on it, they offered to buy it on the spot (good thing I paid in full up front!) Beyond that, the people who own and work at Mignonne are so friendly, open and delightful to work with. Johnelle even invited me to a reception/party the following Sunday - so much fun. I will *definitely* continue to patronize Mignonne and can't wait to collaborate on our next project. Because that's what it is: a true collaboration. And nobody else will have the pieces you walk out of this lovely shop with!

Stopped in a handful of times in the past and the ambiance was always amazing and the staff was…read morealways friendly and welcoming, and this all rings true even for this last visit. We picked up some goodies and finally tried the bacon bread pudding. It was a nice treat and a generous portion. Sad to see this establishment go, but glad we got to have pleasant experiences each visit.

We were looking for a cafe to get some drinks and work out of. We stumbled across this cafe+shop…read morewhich happens to be owned by Ayesha Curry. I love that the store features her brands as well as other women/black owned businesses. My partner got an iced Masala Chai latte which was super reasonably priced around $3 and it was delicious. There's plenty of seating and it felt so homey with a couch, long table, and clean restroom - we were there for a few hours. Only thing I will say is the outlets aren't that close to the seating areas. Props to Ayesha, beautiful shop/cafe and great music!

I love this store so much. I come in sometimes for something specific, like coffee or a gift…read more Sometimes I just walk around and see what talks to me. I don't blow my money, so I come sometimes and don't even buy anything. There is just so many different types of things and food and drinks and jewelry that you may find something you didn't even know you needed. The snacks and food options are amazing. Kooky international cookies and sweet and random flavors of foods and drinks, it's just a wonderland of cool random things. The prices can be ridiculous so you have to choose wisely. Sometimes the staff can be a little absent, meaning they don't really seem like they want to interact with us. I get it, retail sucks. And not every one of them is distant, there are some real gems in there too. I just love this place and I hope it doesn't succumb to rent hikes or loss of sales and it disappears.

Wow, this is the best World Market I've ever been to. Who would've known! I stopped by this past…read moreweekend and was impressed by the massive size of both the parking lot and inside of the store. The whole place was clean and organized, and the shelves were stocked full of awesome and unique products on a Saturday morning. I picked up some laceys almond & dark chocolate toffee wafer cookies, sonoma creamery parmesan and cheddar crisps, and keogh's irish potato chips with real irish butter. And after browsing all of the easter-themed goodies, I couldn't resist getting a bag of kitkat bunnies as well. A worker saw my arms full and offered to get me a basket (he ran all the way to the front of the store and back). The care and effort shown was definitely appreciated. Customer service altogether was outstanding. I was greeted with a smile at entry, checked on multiple times by different employees while shopping, and my transaction at the purchase counter was quick and easy, with two employees opening up additional registers as they saw a line forming. I usually have a positive experience at World Market regardless of location, but based on my recent visit the Oakland store is superior in every way!

Nice, quaint nursery. I got some compost for the garden! Nice selection of plants. Awesome :)read more

This nursery is so fun to visit and browse as there's always a great assortment of plants. They…read morehave a ton of different varieties of flowers, fruit trees and vegetables. I like that they have cats roaming around the garden and the doves they have in the back. They even have places you can sit and take in the peaceful space of the gardens. The value is well worth the price and the lady who runs the place has great knowledge about her plants and is always giving us good advice on how to care for them.

Once upon a time my friend and I stumbled upon this place but they were closed. Today, I…read moreprioritized my visit. This is an adorable little corner. Parking wasn't a problem. This is a weekend operation. Positive vibes here! All the lovely plants are curated in a fabulous way. That includes their containers. There is no scent polution either. Inhale the peace. I'm a fan of local businesses! I could get pots, potting soil etc just the right size for our little place. If you exit to the patio you'll see larger arrangements. Come see for yourself! Service is sublime! I learned more about care of houselplants today for sure. Moreover, I got information on how to care for them. Plants aren't the only items for sale. There are pots, watering cans, fertilizer . There are soaps, hydroponic herbs and jewelry. Come see for yourself. Blk Girls Green House makes for an excellent third space given that they also offer beverages. I'll just bet the occasional bookclub meets up here.

This plant shop has been on my list for quite a while. I made it a point to go there today because…read moreI had some time on my hands and I have to say this place holds a special place in my heart. Before even walking in, you're greeted with just a beautiful mural on the outside of the building. Then when you walk in, you're greeted by this beautiful greenhouse and plants all around and then you go into the actual plant shop, and it just keeps on going in terms of places to sit, a cute little coffee bar, a very beautiful altar looking space in the back and a couple of little seating areas that are super Vibey and damn gorgeous and sexy. I'm IN LOVE with a plant shop. There isn't any space in this place where you just can't be in all of anything that your eye catches. Everything is intentional and my senses just soaked everything up that this plant shop had to offer. I already knew what planted I wanted to take home with me and I think it was meant to be because it was one of the first plants that I saw before going into the plant shop. It was almost as if I was meant to go here and pick her up and be her mom. While I was there, I also picked up some incense and linen spray because, why not? I ordered a cardamom matcha, which was recommended to me by Simone and I loved my drink. I took my time and drank it in the corner of the shop just soaking up the vibes and just being around it is gorgeous green beings that give off so much positive energy. I got there first thing in the morning when it opened at 10, super calm, and I was the only one in there looking and browsing. Service was excellent and vibes are 10/10. Returning? It's my number one plant shop now! BLK Girls Greenhosie, can I Iive there???

Ordered item early December, no shipping update for over a month. Emailed and called, no reply…read more Finally get an email citing item was back-ordered with no shipping date. They claimed they tried to contact me but I can only find an order confirmation. Went to the website and item is still listed with no hint that it might be back-ordered. In fact the item is still listed as available. Will not buy from this company.

Maker & Moss recently staged a million plus property for me, which subsequently sold in record…read moretime. Matt & Briana are consummate professionals, talented in design, and time management. The entire process with them was smooth and they are delightful to work with. I recommend them strongly for all your design and staging needs. Thanks you M&B, you are the best!