by Sarah Stefaniuk | Jan 11, 2020 | Active Lifestyle, Kids Style & Stuff, Montclair Village & Piedmont Ave
Without local bike shops, bookstores, gift shops, clothing stores, and local cafes and restaurants what makes one neighborhood different from any other? It’s a hot question that bubbles up in the Montclair community from time to time (or very often). One such... 
by Sarah Stefaniuk | Jan 7, 2020 | Gift Inspirations, Home Goods & Decor, Montclair Village & Piedmont Ave
First, let’s talk about the Shade Store. Owner, Pat Benson, has a thriving window covering consultancy. She offers free consultations and meets you at your home to discuss all manner of window covering solutions. No doubt, you’ll quickly see her expertise,... 
by Sarah Stefaniuk | Jan 6, 2020 | Gift Inspirations, Montclair Village & Piedmont Ave
There’s a statistic somewhere out there that says that indie retailers produce 70% more economic activity per square foot than big box retailers. If that is true, we can only imagine how much more startling the difference is as compared to ecommerce behemoths.... 
by Sarah Stefaniuk | Jan 4, 2020 | Kids Style & Stuff, Leisure & Entertainment, Montclair Village & Piedmont Ave
We are guilty as charged. Yes, we overuse the word old-school. And we’re just about to do it again. But, we can’t help it because we’ve fallen in love with the handful of indies that have been in Oakland forever and the old-timers who audaciously... 
by Sarah Stefaniuk | Jan 4, 2020 | Arts & Literature, Kids Style & Stuff, Montclair Village & Piedmont Ave
Why would I go drive my car to the local bookstore and pay for parking when I can just order a book on an ecommerce behemoth and get it delivered to me? And it’s way cheaper. They are old dinosaurs and we don’t need them anymore. While not a direct quote,... 