Best Arts and Crafts Supplies
Michael’s
Big corporation actually doing it right. — mo
Goodwill
Cheap is cheap. — kevin holmes
Lacis
Where else can you find corset making and lacemaking supplies? — Robynne
Best Bagels
Authentic Bagel Co.
That moment when the bickering bagel brothers pause to thank you by name. — selelele
Beauty’s Bagels
Take it from the grandchild of Eastern European Jewish immigrants: these are solid bagels. — michael altfest
Best Bakery
Feel Good Bakery
Their chocolate croissants are worth writing home about, if you happen to be French. — Ali Neuenschwander
Mariposa
I can’t stand gluten-free “bread,” but I think what they’re doing is great. — Jeff Greenwald
Nabolem
If I ever get swept up in a tornado to outsmart witches and dethrone a wizard, I want my ruby slippers to bring me back here. This is baking for your nose and your mouth, and boy are they in heaven. Giant brown sugar snails, moist cinnamon twists, fresh fruit Danish, BOB (banana oat bran) muffins… and live music by local musicians. This is home-style baking when grandma (or great grandma) was not afraid of butter, knew what she was doing and took the time to do it. Yummmmmmmmmmmm. — Laurie
Pepple’s Donuts
Vegan Donuts DO taste good! — Kathleen O’Connor
Sweet Bar
As I huff and puff on the treadmill at the YMCA, I can see Sweet Bar bakery across the street. The only thing that makes working out worth it, is knowing that I can go across the street and get some insanely delicious treat afterwards. — N’jeri
Best Barbershop
gregg’s
As old school as it gets, plus playboys to read. What else would you want? — Lucas banks
Professional Touch Barber Shop
BETTER THAN PLACES IN ITALY — Luigi zoli
Temescal Barbershop
my kid won’t go anywhere else — sannmer
Best Bike Shop
Alameda Bicycle
Magic happens here. — J. Randell
Missing Link Bicycle Cooperative
Coops do it better! — Innosanto Nagara
Best Bookstore
Pegasus
They have my favorite things. Books and cats. — Ann Ayers
every bookstore is the best!
— Desirée Rose
Best Boutique
Urban Stitch
If they sold more things, I would buy them — Marisa Raya
Best Brewery
Drake’s Brewing Company
A brewery in San Leandro? Who knew? And the best part is their beer. — Ali Neuenschwander
Best Car Repair
XYZ Motors
BEST FREAKING GARAGE, EVER!! — Ashley
Best Eyeglass Shop
Focal Point
Hip looks for hipsters — Jim Puskar
Best Furniture Store
IKEA
And I hate myself for saying it. — Jeff Greenwald
Best Grocery Store
Berkeley Bowl
If you survive the parking lot you’re in heaven. — Margo Rivera-Weiss
My husband loves it so much he’s planning to put a cot there and use it as his second home. — Ruth H.
Mandela Foods Cooperative
They have all the things I want and all the things I haven’t yet realized I want. — selelele
Best Place for Smoking Accessories
Gross.
Seriously. Stop encouraging this. It’s disgusting. If you must get high off nicotine or marijuana, just eat it and stop polluting. — Amelia Manlove
Best Plant Nursery
Plants, etc. – Renata Gray
Best Record Store
are there still records in the world!
— Desirée Rose
Best Sex Shop
Feelmore 510
is there really another option? — Christina Bøhn
The first time i was there, I bought a vibrator and Eddie Murphy’s first comedy album on vinyl. — N’jeri
Best Used or Vintage Clothing
Pretty Penny
I can’t save any money because I spend it all here. — Georgia Brown
Best Veterinarian
Dr. Harvey from Chabot Vet
Bunny whisperer — danielleikg
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