What's Happening
About a year after its launch, the ReThink Disposable program is really building momentum — 25 businesses have been certified (18 of them in the downtown district), 13 are in the process of being certified, and 24 more businesses have signed up.
ReThink Disposable helps businesses save thousands of dollars while contributing positively to the environment. The program, developed in partnership with the City of Alameda and funded by the Ocean Protection Council, has a goal of helping 100 businesses switch from disposable foodware to reusable foodware in an effort to reduce the amount of solid waste being added to our landfills.
The ReThink Disposable program recently analyzed the combined accomplishments of five businesses in the program and announced these results:
- 314,499 single-use items reduced annually
- 1,976 pounds of waste prevented annually
- Average annual cost savings to businesses: $1,598
With numbers like these for only five businesses, the numbers will be even more astonishing when the program meets its goal of 100 participating businesses.
Crispian Bakery, Taqueria Viva Mexico, and Habanas Cuban Cuisine are wonderful examples of what can be accomplished by completing the ReThink Disposable certification process. Auditors were able to work with staff to make simple changes that reduced annual waste and also resulted in total cost savings to the businesses. (more…)
Oktoberfest kicks off in Downtown Alameda with Speisekammer’s annual 3-week celebration! Enjoy German beer, dance, and grilled meat in their beer garden. Dancing with the Golden Gate Bavarian Dance Club, Polkageist, and Bayern Maiden makes this one of the most authentic Oktoberfest celebrations in the Bay Area. There’s also a jump house for kids.
Speisekammer’s Oktoberfest takes place three Sundays in a row at 2424 Lincoln Avenue, from Noon to 6:00pm. Admission is free for all; beer and food are available for purchase.
Featured performances: (more…)
Main Squeeze – acai bowl
Downtown Alameda is an ever-changing landscape as new businesses open. Within the last month a number of new business owners have brought their visions to the downtown district and have opened their doors to the public:
Best Beauty Bar (2544 Santa Clara Ave)
Newly opened in the former Pippa & Co space, this beauty salon provides hair, makeup, and threading services.
Cholita Linda (1337 Park Street)
Downtown Alameda’s newest restaurant got its start as a food stand at the Jack London Square farmers market before opening a spot in Oakland’s Temescal district. Cholita Linda serves Latin American comfort food including its famous fried fish tacos and pressed asado sandwich.
Joona Design Playground (1419 Park Street)
Owner Jeanne Henzel is an interior designer specializing in all-natural upholstery, innovative curtain making and contemporary hard treatments, color & design consulting, and on-site upholstery repair. Joona is currently open by appointment.
Main Squeeze (2300 Central Ave)
Head to Downtown Alameda for some delicious antioxidants and get your juice on! Alameda’s newest juice bar is serving fresh organic juices, acai bowls, smoothies, and wellness shots. Favorites include the Oasis Bowl and Maca Mama Smoothie.
Zap Payroll (2504 Santa Clara Ave, Suite #9)
Zap Payroll provides affordable payroll and HR that’s quick and easy. They provide services that are perfect for small business needs. Their knowledgeable and professional Payroll Advisors and HR Pros help employers every step of the way.
GRAND OPENING: Alameda Scoop
Calvin Ton and Linda Phung, husband/wife owners of Monkey King Pub & Grub and Monkey King at the Brewery, invite you to join them for the grand opening of their latest downtown eatery.
Alameda Scoop opens on September 15 at 1:00pm with free gelato, live music, and fun activities for kids. The menu of the new snack spot includes daily handmade gelato and other desserts. Look for matcha, black sesame, durian, lychee, thai tea, mangonada, taro, and other unique flavors to be offered on a rotating basis.
Additionally, a collaboration between Monkey King at the Brewery, Alameda Island Brewing Company, and Alameda Scoop includes an expanded 90+ seating area for patrons that will be family-friendly. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy food from Monkey King, beer from AIBC, and a treat from Alameda Scoop.
MORE NEW BUSINESSES
View our August post for more new businesses and a list of others in the works. Do you have a new business that is in the works or opening soon in the downtown district? Contact the Downtown Alameda Business Association at (510) 523-1392 or office@downtownalameda.com.
Download Map – LOIAW #5
The fifth installation of the Love Our Island Art Walk returns to Downtown Alameda with a fun-filled evening on Friday, September 14. Rhythmix Cultural Works and the Downtown Alameda Business Association present three hours of art and music along Park Street and Santa Clara Ave as part of the 2nd Friday ArtWalk from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
“Radical Beauty, Part 5“ brings empty downtown windows to life with images, light, sound, and conversation. Look for colorful light to spill through the windows on the corner of Park Street and Santa Clara Ave while sounds of Spanish gypsy guitar and driving percussion flow from a neighboring courtyard during this creative art event. Enjoy free musical performances on the street by Barrio Manouche, Inspector Gadje, and Omar & Friends.
Featured Art Installations:
1501 Park Street (future site of Gong Cha) – Nicole Mueller brings the tradition of stained glass into a new context, creating an abstract collage that is ephemeral, light-filled, and beautiful.
2353 Santa Clara Ave (future site of Baguette) – Using still-frame image sequences paired with short poetic statements, Najib Joe Hakim explores the themes of migration, borders, the environment, and conflict.
2301 Santa Clara Ave (historic gas station site next to Vintiq) – Charlie Sullivan repurposes found and discarded everyday items by rearranging them in a playful balance.
The Love Our Island Art Walk series is a two-year initiative supported by the California Arts Council. Learn more about the project, upcoming event dates, and featured artists at www.rhythmix.org.
Monthly 2nd Friday Art Walk
Enjoy art, conversation, and meeting new people at the monthly 2nd Friday ArtWalk in Downtown Alameda. Look for artist displays and special happenings at participating art venues, coffee houses, and nearby businesses. (more…)
Attractive building façades (or storefronts) support and encourage local business. They can have a significant effect on the attractiveness and marketability of the surrounding area. To encourage business owners to invest in the downtown and neighborhood business areas, the City of Alameda offers 50/50 matching grants to assist them in restoring or beautifying their façades.
Each business owner or property owner makes a commitment to finance 50% of the cost of improvements. Improvements can include:
- New awnings or signs
- Refurbishment of existing awnings
- Restoration of legacy signs
- Exterior Painting (including murals)
- Replacement of windows and doors
- Refurbishment of architectural features
- Rehabilitation of historic features
- Construction of outdoor eating areas
Benefits of the program include increased business exposure, more attractive streets, better first impressions for businesses, enhanced property values, improved marketability of the local business area, and more inviting places to walk and shop.
Nineteen façade grants were awarded in the downtown district during the 2017/18 fiscal year, resulting in over $240,000 being invested in the beautification of our downtown district. These are a few examples of successful projects, varying in size:
With the support of the Façade Grant Program, The Sewing Room (2434 Webb Ave) is now more visible from the street. Colorful new signs were installed on both the awning and the side wall facing Park Street. (more…)
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