What's Happening

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…)

From Shop Late Thursdays to this year’s holiday window contest, downtown merchants have plenty to offer for a festive holiday shopping experience.

Shop Late Thursdays

Grab a bite to eat, catch a movie, or toast the holidays with co-workers and then get a little holiday shopping done afterwards. More than 30 retailers are extending their hours until 8:00pm or later on Thursdays, doubling the number of shops open in the evening!

Holiday Window Contest

Downtown businesses have teamed up with local artists to create festive holiday window displays. Bundle up the kids, purchase a warm beverage, and take a stroll to enjoy the sights of the holiday season. To place your vote, post a picture of the window on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter using #DAHWC.  (more…)