News Update
Share the Love on Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is February 14. When purchasing gifts for your sweetheart or that special person, share the love by shopping & dining with your local businesses.
Downtown Alameda has everything you need to curate the perfect Valentine’s Day experience. While chocolates and flowers may be the norm for Valentine’s Day, there are also plenty of unique gift ideas to be found.
For a fun gift to go with that bouquet of flowers, check out the variety of gifts at places like Books Inc., Daisy’s, Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden, Sumbody, and To Herb With Love. Or what about some new red sneakers from Airloom Deluxe?
Special sweets are always appreciated on Valentines Day, from heart-shaped cookies to artisan cakes. Stop by our local cafes and bakeries for a divine desserts from Crispian Bakery, Feel Good Bakery, The Preacher’s Daughter Bistro, and Tucker’s Ice Cream.
For a romantic night out, make plans to share dinner and drinks with your sweetheart at one of the many fine restaurants in Downtown Alameda. Options include indoor dining, outdoor dining, and take-home meals from places such as Alameda Cinema Grill, Alley & Vine, Angela’s Kitchen, East End, Speisekammer, Spinning Bones, The Park Street Tavern, and The Star on Park.
Dinner at home? Complete the evening meal by picking up a bottle of wine or bubbles at Alameda Cellars, Bonne Vie, CRAFT Beer & Wine, Farmstead Cheeses & Wines, or Park Street Wine Cellars.
Lastly, tickets to the 4th Annual Whiskey Stroll can make for a wonderful surprise. You and your sweetheart can sip and stroll the downtown district tasting premium small-batch whiskeys paired with yummy bites. Tickets for the March 4 event are available at www.DowntownAlameda.com/whiskey.
Downtown Alameda business are open with care.For a list of our fabulous restaurants and shops, visit : www.DowntownAlameda.com/explore.
2021 in Pictures: Celebrating Local Businesses
Thank you for continuing to support local businesses. It’s been incredible to witness the strength and creativity of our community.
As we move forward into the new year, we want to take a moment to celebrate and reflect on the accomplishments of the past year… a year of rebounding, adapting, and persevering. We saw businesses reopening, new businesses welcoming customers for the first time, and established businesses celebrating milestone anniversaries. (And downtown restaurants served lots of delicious food too!)
We hope 2022 continues to be filled with brighter days for all.
To celebrate the achievements of our local businesses, here’s a look back at your favorite Instagram posts in 2021:
2021 Year In Review: Timeline of the Top 10 Instagram Posts
Thanks to all who contributed photos to our social media pages by tagging #DowntownAlameda in your posts!
**Spoiler Alert** Pictured here is the #1 most liked/commented post from last year. Back in March 2021, Lisa Oyen celebrated 30 years of being in business on Park Street. Congratulations to Lauren’s Closet!
New Businesses in Downtown Alameda (Jan. 2022)
Here’s to the start of a new year! We’d like to introduce the newest Downtown Alameda businesses to Open With Care… and others that are in the works. Find what you need in the way that works for you, whether it’s in-store visits, ordering out, arranging for an appointment in advance, or online experiences.
Kindly remember that all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must wear face coverings when indoors in public settings. Thank you in advance for remaining kind, supportive, and respective when doing business in the district.
New Downtown Businesses:
Axum Auto Sales, 1927 Park Street
Pre-owned, late model vehicles at competitive prices.
Artsy Color Lounge, 1421 Broadway
This is where the magic happens! Aana is a creative hairstylist and hair educator.
Body Mind Chiropractic, 1415 Broadway #29
Dr. Ashanna is passionate about working with patients so that the body, mind, and heart are all healing together.
Casa Revolución Taqueria, 2520 Santa Clara Ave
Enjoy fresh, reasonably priced Mexican food. The handmade corn tortillas, tacos, and salsa bar are a standout at this cozy location.
D.H. Charles Engineering, 2515 Santa Clara Ave #210
A professional and experienced staff of engineers and CAD drafters dedicated to providing construction engineering services to contractors.
New Owner:
The Local, 1333 Park Street
More Businesses in the Works:
Read MoreCelebrate a New Year in Downtown Alameda
Let’s celebrate a new year! Meet up with family and friends at a favorite restaurant in Downtown Alameda, catch a movie, or extend the evening by ringing in the new year at one of the district’s many gathering spots. There’s even family fun for the kids.
Businesses are open with care… care for customers, staff, and the community. Celebrate responsibly with us and kindly wear a face covering while attending indoor activities.
Featured Activities:
New Year’s Jokin’ Eve @ The Local
Let’s put an end to the madness of 2021 with a bit of dry, calculated satire. This all ages show features comedian Scott Capurro, a regular on Alice Radio with Sarah & Vinnie.
New Years Eve with Eddie Pepitone @ Alameda Comedy Club
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with cult-comic Eddie Pepitone. A force of nature on stage, Eddie is hailed as a modern day cross between Jackie Gleason, Don Rickles and Eckart Tolle.
Glitz & Glamour Gala @ Alley & Vine
Book your table today for an Old Hollywood-era Glitz & Glamour Gala. Enjoy a 5-course menu, live music, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight. (An earlier seating is available too.)
Afro Gatsby NYE @ @ Karibu Wine Lounge
Curated 4-course dinner and wine pairing menu, live Jazz, a live DJ, and a complimentary midnight toast!
New Year’s Day Party @ Swings and Wings
Start the New Year on January 1st by having fun as a family! Breakfast, music, photo booth, yummy treats, and kids playspace.
More New Year’s Celebrations:
For additional family activities, High Scores Arcade will be open 12:30-9:00pm for unlimited gaming on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Or kick back and enjoy a blockbuster movie at Alameda Theatre & Cineplex.
And if you’re looking for a last-minute gathering place with a 21+ audience on New Year’s Eve, these Downtown Alameda nightspots provide plenty of festive fun — no reservations required:
Read MoreHoliday Happenings: Shop Sip Gather Together
Oh, what fun it is in Downtown Alameda this holiday season! Downtown merchants have plenty to offer for a festive holiday shopping experience, from Shop Late Thursdays to our popular Hot Cocoa Scavenger Hunt.
So bundle up the kids, buy a warm beverage, and take a stroll downtown to enjoy the holiday together with friends and family:
Get the details about this year’s holiday happenings and more… DowntownAlameda.com/holidays
Shop Late Thursdays
The shops in the district are joining our restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues in staying open until 8:00pm (or later) on Thursday nights in December. Let the merchants in Downtown Alameda help you find unique gifts, jewelry, clothing, toys, books, and much more!
Grab a bite to eat, stop to enjoy the holiday entertainment, and get a little shopping done! (All performances are on Alameda Ave near the Al Fresco Dining Area, 6-8pm.)
- Dec 2 – Horns A Plenty
- Dec 9 – Catty Wompus (plus a special performance on Saturday 12/18, 11am-1pm)
- Dec 16 – who’s feeling young now
- Dec 23 – JimBo Trout
Santa Visits
Santa will be strolling the district and popping into businesses, handing out treats, and posing for photos on Thursday nights, 6-8pm. Have your cameras ready for a fun photo opportunity!
Plus, our friends at Twirl are hosting a special Letters To Santa station, 5-7pm. Once your child’s letter is ready, drop it in one of the special Letters to Santa Mailboxes located at businesses throughout the district. Or hand it to Santa and his elves in person during our Shop Late Thursdays!
Hot Cocoa Crawl Scavenger Hunt
The hunt is on! Search the window displays to find a series of festive holiday items needed to enjoy a yummy serving of Hot Cocoa. Find all 8 window clings and enter to win a Hot Cocoa “Together” Kit for Two. (The scavenger hunt is available every day until December 15.)
Alameda Shop & Visit eGift Cards
When shopping online, consider giving Visit + Shop Alameda eGift Cards as gifts to friends and family, and add them to your own wish list. This unique Alameda gift card is extremely versatile — a single Visit + Shop Alameda eGift Card can be used at more than 20 different businesses in Alameda, and the list is growing!