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Kevin Faughnan

Update on Secondary Units Proposal

in
Sunday, February 7, 2016

The proposed Oakland city ordinance for Secondary Units received its second public reading at the January 19 City Council meeting. An amendment proposed by Councilman Dan Kalb was included.

Owing to an administrative error, the complete proposed ordinance was not submitted to the Council, and it was unable to take action. The final adoption was rescheduled to February 2.

College Avenue Commerce Decades of Service : Rockridge Furniture and Design

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Monday, November 16, 2015

Established by John Knight, Sr., Rockridge Furniture & Design at 5601 College has been on the Avenue since 1970. John was an accountant by trade, but his passion was as an antique collector, repairman and salesman. The business evolved as his clientele's tastes began to support the Arts and Crafts furniture style more complementary to the many bungalows in Rockridge. Meanwhile, John Knight, Jr., who received his B.S.

Merchants' Years of Service: A Home and Business Location on College Avenue Since 1886 Houses Kletz and Moll, Attorneys

in
Thursday, July 9, 2015

The Queen Anne Victorian at 5315 College Avenue, shown above, first opened its doors to the Charles Shields family. Charles was a scene painter for Oakland's dramatic theatres, and the Shields family lived there until 1936. Records are not clear about ownership after that, but in the mid-'70s, the building housed an antique shop.

College Avenue Commerce: Decades of Service, Merchants' Years of Service: a Final Look

in
Saturday, May 9, 2015

Following is the last in our series on businesses in business on College Avenue at least 25 years. If you have been "on the Avenue" and didn't see your business' name, email editor@rockridge.org. We want readers of The Rockridge News to know about you.

College Avenue Commerce: Decades of Service, Part 7

in
Monday, March 9, 2015

• Yasai Market, at 6301 College Avenue, was opened in 1980 by John Amano. John's sister-in-law is the owner of Berkeley Bowl; John was raised in the vegetable business and worked at Berkeley Bowl before opening Yasai (which means vegetables in Japanese). John sold to current owners Michael and Bu Pak in 1992; they kept the name. When I spoke with Bu about the impact of the Safeway construction, the conversation topic drifted to competition. She reminded me that small stores aren't automatically noncompetitive.

Merchants' Years of Service: Part 6

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Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Transports was started by Kei Kodani in 1982 in a small space above Barclay's Pub. Kei began the business selling camping and hiking equipment, and it seemed to complement the adjacent store that focused on running shoes. However, when that store went out of business, the salesmen providing that inventory convinced Kei, himself a runner, to carry their lines. Shortly thereafter, Kei moved a few doors up the street and next to the then-location of the Sierra Club bookstore where he remained for 20 years.

College Avenue: Merchants' Years of Service, Part 5

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Saturday, January 10, 2015

•    Duck Soup Family Playschool, 5304 Bryant Avenue at the Broadway end of College, is visible as the rainbow-colored home on the corner and known as "the cuddlesome place for children." Operating the playschool since 1980, Becca Rae Calato has been the owner and primary teacher since 1986 and lives in the home.

Many Merchants Have Been on College for Decades: Years of Merchants' Service, Part 4

in
Friday, December 12, 2014

Following is the fourth in our series on businesses in business on College Avenue at least 25 years. We are nearing the end of our series and don't want to miss anyone. If you have been "on the Avenue" and haven't seen your name yet, drop us an email at editor@rockridge.org. We want readers of The Rockridge News to know about you and to stop in to see what you offer.

Long Time on the Avenue for Many Merchants: More Years of Merchants' Service, Part 3

in
Sunday, November 9, 2014

Following is the third in our series of businesses in business on College Avenue at least 25 years. There are more to come. If your business has been on the Avenue (or adjacent to it) that long, email editor@rockridge.org. We want readers of The Rockridge News to know about you and to stop in to see what you offer.

Years of Service by Merchants: Part 2

in
Friday, October 3, 2014

Have you ever noticed that lime-green building just south of the Rockridge Branch Library? It's the entrance to McNally's Irish Pub, the first bar in Oakland to open its doors after prohibition ended in 1933. Opened by Bill McNally, long-time owner who died in 1973, the business has passed through several owners, but the decor and facilities have remained almost the same: no food, small bathrooms, and walls adorned with pictures of JFK and FDR among other historical items of importance.

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