Shop, eat, & enjoy local this Small Business Saturday
Published on November 20, 2019
PRESS RELEASE
November 20, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Sarah Henry, Public Information Officer
510-747-4714
Shop, eat, & enjoy local this Small Business Saturday
On November 30, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the City of Alameda is promoting Small Business Saturday, a celebration of Alameda’s local businesses that are the back bone of our island city. Step inside one of our many storefronts and enjoy gifts to share with friends and family.
When you walk into Alameda Bicycle on the corner of Park and Webb you can feel the passion for two-wheelers. The shop has been there for 50 years. The Oh family took over in 1987. Gene Oh started helping out at the shop on weekends and summers at age twelve and took over full-time in 2002. “It's our goal to spread the love of cycling. We're all here because we love bikes in some way. We want to pass that feeling along to everyone that comes into the shop. Since the beginning, we’ve always been about getting the whole family on two wheels.”
Mommy’s Trading Post on Lincoln Avenue, run by two local mothers of young children, allows parents to trade or sell as well as buy high quality, high demand clothing and gear for children and expectant mothers at reasonable prices. Both owners are passionate about great deals and reducing waste. Items they pass on are either returned to the owner or donated to local organizations. “We love the idea of sharing items within our own community” said Becky. They’ve also started our own breastfeeding apparel line, MamaWear, which is sold in the store and online.
Helen Dean decided to open Toy Safari shortly after the base closed. “There weren't many businesses on Park Street. I was shopping for a birthday present for my sons’ school friend and I realized there weren't many options. I thought to myself, "I could open a toy store!" followed immediately by the thought, "don't be crazy!” said Dean. 27 years later that “crazy” idea is now an Alameda treasure, providing a positive, kid-friendly business where kids can make informed decisions about purchases and can trade-in outgrown yet well-treated toys for new, quality toys. It is and always has been a place built for families to explore and enjoy the wonderful world of toys.
Two teenagers that worked after school at the local hardware store ended up staying in the business, working with each other in different capacities and making friends with Andy Pagano. In 1993 when Andy was ready to retire, Tom Tognetti and Dave Giovannoli were ready to take over as owners of Pagano’s Hardware. From the start, they wanted to provide Alameda with a hardware store that was reminiscent of the old time general stores. Years ago, Tom read an article that mentioned a local couple who took frequent trips to Pagano’s to “see what’s new.” “I’ve never forgotten that article and have always made a point of having new items in the store. Items that make Pagano’s unique from other stores” Tom said.
When local businesses succeed, we all do! This holiday season shop locally and support local jobs, reduce your climate change impact, and keep more money in the local economy.
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