News Update | Downtown Alameda

New Businesses in Downtown Alameda (April 2019)

Downtown Alameda is a marvelous destination for shopping, dining, playing, relaxing, and socializing. The district is ever-changing with new businesses to discover with each visit. Help us welcome these newest businesses!

New Downtown Businesses:

Baguette, 2353 Santa Clara Ave
Vietnamese sandwiches and salads.

Curated, 1525 Park Street
Mid-century modern furniture and accessories.

Gong cha, 1501 Park Street
Menu includes boba tea, foam tea, milk tea, fruit tea, smoothies, and coffee.

The Space, 2319 Santa Clara Ave
Multi-functional art studio and website dedicated to Art and Pop Culture

New Associate Members:

Fraction, www.fractiondeals.com
Creates digital offers for businesses that drive in-store traffic and increase revenue.

In the Works: Read More

Posted in News Update

ReThink Disposable Results Are Inspiring

ReThink Disposable Certified Business Sign for Downtown Alameda

Businesses participating in waste reduction are saving money while protecting the planet and protecting public health.

ReThink Disposable, a program of Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund, will soon be wrapping up a two-year collaboration in Alameda, and the results are inspiring. Currently, 84 Alameda businesses are participating in the program and 56 have been certified. Collectively, Alameda’s ReThink Disposable businesses are eliminating close to two million pieces of disposable food packaging items and preventing almost 24,000 pounds of waste every year!

Participating businesses include bakeries and cafes, restaurants, bars, and a movie theatre. Certified businesses implement various cost-saving practices to reduce unnecessary packaging waste, transition to reusables for onsite dining, and encourage refilling of customers take-out containers.

The project, which began in 2017, has piloted a model for how a city can be transformed when community stakeholders are given the tools and resources to dramatically reduce single-use disposables while engaging the entire community in zero waste practices. This project received valued support from the City of Alameda’s Public Works Department, the Downtown Alameda Business Association, the West Alameda Business Association, the Community Alliance for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA), and student interns from Alameda high schools.

“Alameda made an excellent model city to pilot grassroots behavior business transformations and behavior change tactics coupled with a supporting policy,” says Nina Foushee, Communication Manager for Clean Water Action. “Reuse is the new norm that cities should be striving for, and Alameda is leading the way!”

Crispian Bakery made a range of replacements for their certification, including replacing disposable plates, cups, and food-sample ramekins with reusables. As a result of implementing ReThink Disposable’s recommendations, Crispian Bakery saves $1,739 annually while eliminating the use of over 59,000 disposable items each year.

Hang Ten Boiler previously served all their food and beverages in single-use packaging. As a result of certification, they now use reusables onsite and straws are available only upon request. These operational changes save the business owner $15,944 each year and prevent an annual 318,271 pieces of waste.

Alameda Theatre & Cineplex and its adjoining restaurant, Cinema Grill, used disposables for in-theatre dining prior to the ReThink Disposable certification. Now, in-theatre meals are served on reusable plastic platters and drinks in reusable tumblers. As a result of becoming certified, the Theatre now prevents 603,243 pieces of disposable packaging and saves $9,881 each year. Alameda Theatre & Cineplex is also educating patrons about the importance of source reduction — before every movie, the theatre plays a humorous ReThink Disposable animated short about the transition to reusables and the importance of waste prevention.

Clean Water Action’s ReThink Disposable team looks forward to bringing the model that was developed in Alameda to other communities that are looking for long-term and results-driven solutions to stop the wave of growing waste, litter, and pollution stemming from disposable food service packaging.

Learn more about the ReThink Disposable program: www.rethinkdisposable.org

Posted in News Update

Call For Volunteers: Downtown Alameda Spring Festival

Please note: To keep our community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, all large events have been canceled for 2020 and 2021.

Volunteers are needed for the 19th Annual Downtown Alameda Spring Festival happening Mother’s Day weekend, May 11 & 12, 2019.

Tasks include beer/wine pouring, beverage tickets sales, volunteer check-in, general operations, Alameda Alley assistance, sponsor hospitality, and flyer distribution.

Volunteers receive the choice of wine or beer glass, a complimentary drink ticket, and a cool treat for working a 3-hour shift.

Volunteers help make this event happen!

About the Event:

The Downtown Alameda Spring Festival is a Mother’s Day weekend tradition in the Bay Area and has something for everyone. The outdoor street fair is packed with 150 art and craft vendors, mouth-watering festival foods, local craft beer and premium wine sales, nonstop live music on three stages, and an interactive kids’ area.

Festival-goers can enjoy a stroll in island city’s historic downtown district where unique shops, amazing restaurants, and other businesses will also be offering event specials throughout the weekend, making this the perfect place to find a gift for Mom — or bring Mom to the festivities and treat her to a mimosa and lunch!

The fun happens May 11 and May 12 from 10:00am to 6:00pm each day.

For more information and to volunteer, visit the official event page: https://downtownalameda.com/springfestival

Posted in News Update

Downtown Easter Egg Hunt for Kids and Families

Kids and their families are invited to take part in a Downtown Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 20 from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Businesses will be providing free treats, as well as a variety of other family friendly activities. The annual event is in partnership with downtown businesses, the Downtown Alameda Business Association, and Kiwanis Club of Alameda.

Hop on down to Downtown Alameda! With more than 25 downtown businesses participating, kids will have an opportunity to gather a basketful of treats.

Follow the Bunny Trail

Children ages 12 and under are invited to bring a basket to collect treats from participating businesses. Look for special Downtown Easter Egg Hunt posters in the windows or doors — this is your clue that a treat is waiting inside.

Adult chaperones can help in the hunt by downloading a map of the places to be found.

Goodie Bag Decorating Party

Before heading out on the hunt, Kiwanis members will be available to help children decorate a personalized goodie bag for collecting treats. Free bags and supplies can be found at PHOENIX (2315 Lincoln Ave).

Printed maps will also be available here.

Meet the Easter Bunny

A visit with the Easter Bunny will make this hunt even more special. Stop by Daisy’s (1347 Park Street) and have your camera ready for a fun family photo. Share your photos on your favorite social app using hashtags #downtownalameda #downtowneasterhunt.

Family Friendly Activities

You’ll be surprised at what you find along the way! Stop by Tutu School Alameda (1419 Park Street, inside Park Street Plaza) for hand-painted glitter tattoos and other activities. Go on a fun Bead Hunt inside Bead Inspirations (1544 Park Street). Get a photo of the kids in front of a “How to Train Your Dragon 2” backdrop and others while at Alameda Theatre & Cineplex (2317 Central Ave). These are just a few of the activities happening during the Downtown Easter Egg Hunt.

More Information

Get more details and download a map: www.DowntownAlameda.com/egg-hunt

Posted in News Update