What's Happening

Congratulations to Lola’s Chicken Shack for being the first business in Alameda to complete its certification with ReThink Disposable’s “Un-packaging Alameda Island” initiative — a new project put together by the Clean Water Fund and the City of Alameda in coordination with the Downtown Alameda Business Association and the West Alameda Business Association.

Mother and son team Nancy and Mark Rogers opened Lola’s Chicken Shack on Park Street in late 2013. They were the first business in Alameda to sign up for ReThink Disposable, when they heard that the program would work with them to figure out how to replace items like disposable cups with reusable plastic ones. Signing up has not only helped the environment but it’s also saved the business some money, too.

Recently, Lola’s Chicken Shack has begun using reusable straws. “We’ve been getting compliments each day for championing a reusable lifestyle over disposable plastic straws,” said Mark Rogers. “Customers know the straws go through the dishwasher and are sanitized, so they’ve been a big hit.”

ReThink Disposable Student Ambassadors

ReThink Disposable student ambassadors are working to raise awareness in the community about the impact of disposable foodware and single-use plastics. The students recently conducted litter audits on Park Street to profile the types and brands of litter. In the process, they collected the litter and created artwork which is now on display at Tucker’s Ice Cream.  (more…)

New Business of the Year: Phoenix (Ben & Saskia Winter)

At the end of each year, the Downtown Alameda Business Association presents awards to member businesses in recognition of their contributions to the success of the downtown district. The owners and staff of the selected businesses are active in Downtown Association activities, participate in district events, and cultivate improvements in the business community. The businesses are excellent examples of the quality of service you can expect to find throughout the district.

Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s Downtown Alameda Business Awards:

Retail Business of the Year — Books Inc., presented to Melanie Knight

Culinary Business of the Year — Habanas Cuban Cuisine, presented to Jason Tsang

Professional Service Business of the Year — Studio 23, presented to Jessica & Wes Warren

New Business of the Year — Phoenix Co-Working & Event Space, presented to Benjamin and Saskia Winter

Member of the Year — Duane Watson (Lee Auto Supply)

President’s Award — Kyle Conner and Allison Shannon (Alameda Theatre & Cineplex and Cinema Grill)

Look for these businesses to be spotlighted in future issues of the Alameda Sun. In the meantime, be sure to stop by and congratulate these folks the next time you find yourself in Downtown Alameda.

This past holiday season, downtown businesses were teamed up with local artists to create festive holiday window displays. Our downtown was looking quite festive. Shoppers and their families enjoyed strolling the district looking at the fantastic windows.

We’d like to thank all the businesses and artists that participated in our Downtown Alameda Holiday Window Contest. The judges had an extremely difficult job of deciding on the contest winners.

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Downtown Alameda Holiday Window Contest:

Best Overall…. Tucker’s Ice Cream designed by artist Ryan LaLonde
Best Use of Lights…. RE/MAX Tribute designed by artist Jamie Banes
Best Use of Merchandise/Products…. Toy Safari designed by artist Alana Dill
Most Creative…. Books Inc. designed by artist Dave Sylvester
Social Media Favorite…. The Sewing Room designed by artist Nikki Romero

Honorable Mentions went to Alameda Natural Grocery, Dandelion Flowers & Gifts, Janene’s Bridal Boutique, Lauren’s Closet, Tootsies, and We Are Hair.

Special thanks to our wonderful sponsors FLAX and Glass Tek, as well as the artists with 2nd Friday ArtWalk. Jessica and Wes Warren of Studio 23 spearheaded our contest this year and we are extremely grateful to both of them.

View more images and learn about the artists behind the creations:
http://fridayartwalk.com/holiday-window-contest/ (more…)

Artists and artist teams are being sought for creative projects in Downtown Alameda…

Artists will have an opportunity to create public art displays in vacant storefront windows in Downtown Alameda. The project’s theme Radical Beauty encourages artists to create displays that inspire awe and wonder. Opening celebrations will take place as part of the 2nd Friday ArtWalks beginning in March 2018.

Applications are open to artists working in or across all disciplines, including drawing, painting, illustration, multimedia, sculpture, photography and time-based works. Artists need not have previous publicly displayed work to be considered. (more…)