New Site for Downtown Alameda

Pardon us! We forgot to mention that we moved to a new site: https://downtownalameda.com/news/

Holiday Window Contest Winners Announced

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

Local artists from 2nd Friday ArtWalks were teamed up with Downtown Alameda businesses to create dazzling holiday window displays. To see all the whimsical wonder that is on display, be sure to take a stroll in the downtown district before the year ends. You’ll be delighted by the imaginative creatures, delicious trees, adventurous mountainsides, snowy galaxies, fanciful dresses, and more. You’ll also see why the judges had an extremely difficult task of selecting the best of the best.

• Best Overall – Tucker’s Ice Cream, 1349 Park Street (artist: Ryan LaLonde)
• Most Creative – Books Inc., 1344 Park Street (artist: Dave Sylvester)
• Best Use of Lights – RE/MAX Tribute, 2437 Santa Clara Ave (artist: Jamie Banes)
• Best Use of Product/Merchandise – Toy Safari, 1410 Park Street (artist: Alana Dill)
• Social Media Favorite – The Sewing Room, 2434 Webb Ave (artist: Nikki Romero)

Honorable Mentions:
• Alameda Marketplace • Dandelion Flowers & Gifts • Janene’s Bridal Boutique • We Are Hair • Tootsies Alameda

Learn more about the creative personalities behind each of the holiday windows by viewing the artists’ profiles on the 2nd Friday ArtWalk website: www.fridayartwalk.com/holiday-window-contest

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Discover great food & drink establishments, charming shops, friendly services, and fun things to do in Downtown Alameda! Visit our website to find out more about the businesses and happenings in Downtown Alameda: www.DowntownAlameda.com.

Downtown Alameda is the commercial, cultural, and civic center of our island city. We represent over 425 businesses in the Historic Park Street District and nearby side streets. Follow us on your favorite social media sites for updates: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google+

Vote for Your Favorite in the Downtown Alameda Holiday Window Contest

If you haven’t quite rallied your holiday spirit yet, take a stroll in Downtown Alameda and enjoy all the wintry, whimsical wonder that is on display in over 30 of the downtown business windows. Local artists from 2nd Friday ArtWalks have been teamed up with downtown businesses to create dazzling holiday window displays this season.

Discover all the wonderful nooks and crannies along Park Street and throughout the Downtown Alameda shopping district as you view the creative work of these artists, from imaginative creatures to trees made of ice cream cones:

• Alana Dill – Toy Safari (1410 Park St.)
• Ash Cheshire – D20 Games (1530 Park St.)
• Charlise Tiee – Starland School of Music (1631 Park St.)
• Dave Sylvester – Books Inc. (1344 Park St.) 

Eat, Shop (late) and Be Merry in Downtown Alameda!

From Shop Late Thursdays to holiday window displays, the Downtown Alameda merchants have plenty to offer for a festive holiday shopping experience.

Shop Late Thursdays

The shops in the downtown district are making it easier to check off the items on your holiday gift-giving list. Over 30 retailers are joining our restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues in staying open until 8:00pm or later during the holiday season for 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!  

In addition, Santa will be out and about greeting downtown visitors from 6:30pm to 8:00pm on most Shop Late Thursdays.

Shop Late Thursday dates are November 30; December 7, 14, and 21.

Downtown Alameda Holiday Window Contest

Local artists have been teamed up with 30 businesses to create dazzling holiday window displays. Shoppers can vote for their favorite display on social media until December 21 .

How to vote: 1) Take a photo of your favorite participating window, 2) Post on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter, and 3) Tag photo with #DAHWC. Be sure to include the store name in your post! 

Call For Artists: Decorate Our Downtown Alameda Windows

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

2018 Storefront Art Installations

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.

Projects will be selected by a review panel made up of interdisciplinary artists, members of the Downtown Alameda Business Association, and other prominent members of the community. Stipends of $1,000 and a materials budget of $200 will be awarded to help fund the creation of selected projects.

The project is organized by Rhythmix Cultural Works in partnership with the Downtown Alameda Business Association and the City of Alameda as part of the Love Our Island Art Walk, a two‐year project that temporarily places art in empty storefront windows. Support for the project is generously provided by the California Arts Council.

To be considered, artists can review the application guidelines on www.rhythmix.org/love-our-island-art-walk. Deadline for submission is December 22.

Holiday Window Contest 

New Businesses in Downtown Alameda (November 2017)

Big Changes in Downtown Alameda

When you stroll from one end of Park Street to the other end, you will notice changes on just about every block. The streets are abuzz with new auto technicians, exercise trainers, steaming coffee, and deep dish pizza. Help welcome these new businesses to Downtown Alameda:

New Businesses:

AutoZone, 1125 Park Street
* Quality aftermarket auto parts.

Rise Bodyworks, 1226 Park Street
* Comprehensive sports performance/rehabilitation/wellness center.

The Local, 1333 Park Street
* Gathering spot with great coffee and a fun atmosphere.

The Star on Park, 1400 Park Street
* Family-friendly restaurant specializing in deep dish pizza.

Caffrey Insurance Solutions, 2413 Webb Ave #C
* Providing clear and creative benefit solutions.

T-Mobile Store, 1634 Park Street
* Great service and deals on cell phones and cell phone plans.

Business Mergers:

Merle Norman Cosmetics & Bay Threading, 1419 Park Street
* Now offering additional services: European facial, threading, and waxing.

New Owners:

KD Nails & Hair, 1619 Park Street (formerly Jo Ann’s Nails & Hair)

Rob’s Garage, 1800 Park Street (formerly Tony’s Motor Service)

Smog Dog, 1726 Park Street (formerly Speedy Smog)

To find out what other businesses are currently in the works, visit the Downtown Alameda website at www.DowntownAlameda.com/New-Business

If you know of a new business that isn’t listed, please give the Downtown Association office a call at (510) 523-1392 or email office@downtownalameda.com.

What’s Happening on Park & Blanding? 

Local Businesses Doing Good in Alameda

The Downtown Alameda Business Association would like to thank the public and the admirable folks at the Alameda Theatre & Cineplex. Together, under the leadership of owner Kyle Conner and the inspiration of Marketing Director Allison Shannon, they raised $60,000 to refurbish two basketball courts at Washington Park in great need of a facelift. On September 29 the Alameda Theatre presented a check to the Warriors Community Foundation and the ribbon was cut on our amazing new “blue top” courts.

The staff at Alameda Theatre & Cineplex provided a path forward to accomplish this work when they opened their historic auditorium for free for three seasons so that thousands upon thousands of Warriors fans could watch their beloved team battle in the playoffs on the big screen. Collecting donations by any means possible, the partnership between the Alameda Theatre, the Warriors, and our residents was game on. “Be a Warrior & Donate” was the theme at theAlameda Theatre & Cineplex and Cinema Grill in their quest to raise funds for the Golden State Warrior’s Community Foundation during the 2015-2017 NBA Playoffs.

“By teaming with the Warriors as an Official Watch Party venue, we created fun game nights for Bay Area families to enjoy and they generously thanked us by donating to the Warriors Foundation for the kids. We’re very proud and grateful to our community,” stated Theatre Event Director Allison Shannon.

Now children and adults alike can shoot hoops with the satisfaction that they collaborated with an organization that led the way for our island to receive this extraordinarily, generous gift. As a former Warriors guard Kelenna Azubuike said to the guests  in the crowd that day, “Let’s wear this rim out!”

Check out this inspiring footage taken during the ceremony:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6y9hafzfiy4kgbo/washington_final_v1.mp4

More Good Work Around Town

The spirit of service is alive and well in our island community. It’s all around us and you can help.

The Alameda Eagles and Alameda Elks are working together, along with other service groups, to host a city-wide fundraising event on Sunday, October 29 to support families affected by the devastating fires in Northern California. The event takes place at the Alameda Elks Lodge located at 2255 Santa Clara Ave from 11:00am until 7:00pm. The benefit will include live music from five different Bay Area bands, food, and beverage. Suggested donation is $20.

The Elks Lodge is also a donation drop-off location for items to be delivered to fire victims. Items most needed include tents, sleeping pads/cots, pillows, sheets and pillow cases, water, non-perishable food, masks, gloves, personal hygiene products, socks, extra phone chargers, reading glasses, diapers (adult and child), can openers, kids’ games, and pet food.

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You’ll always find great food & drink establishments, charming shops, friendly services, and fun things to do in Downtown Alameda! To learn more about the businesses and events in Downtown Alameda, visit our new website: www.DowntownAlameda.com.

Downtown Alameda is the commercial, cultural, and civic center of our island city. We represent over 425 businesses in the Historic Park Street District and nearby side streets. Follow us on your favorite social media sites for updates: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google+

Classic Cars and Ghostly Fun in Downtown Alameda

Downtown Alameda 24th Annual Classic Car Show

Don’t miss Alameda’s biggest and best car show! You’ll be amazed by the number of cars! Over 400 classic vehicles of all eras will be lined up along Park Street – antique roadsters, vintage coupes, hot rods, muscle cars, and much more. The Downtown Alameda 24th Annual Classic Car Show happens Saturday, October 14, 10:00am-4:00pm and is free to the public.

There’s something for everyone. In addition, many of the local shops and restaurants will be offering special promotions throughout the day.

Want to hear the engines rev? Plan to arrive early to watch the cars parade to their parking spots.

For more info, visit the official event page:
www.DowntownAlameda.com/Classic-Car-Show

Friday the 13th Art Walk

3Dot Art Gallery (2309A Encinal Ave) Gaze at creepy art pieces, monsters, and the surrealistic themes that appear in works by Raul D’Mauries and several other local artists.

Studio 23 (2309 Encinal Ave) Do you dare enter the “Dark Side of The Grimm” fairytale? Studio 23 will be transformed into a pulsing powerhouse of spirits as local artists toil and trouble to bring you feasts that glow in the 4th Annual Black Light Art Show.

The Red Door On Encinal (2309 Encinal Ave) Marvel at Friday the 13th artworks by Zachary Sweet.

Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden (1223 Park Street) View handmade one-of-a-kind Halloween Monster Masks and mask-inspired photography while enjoying special drink concoctions. Come dressed to KILL!

Phoenix (2315 Lincoln Ave) Get your costume on at the Halloween Costume Swap. Downtown tip: Drop off your costumes for exchange today and get a ticket for first dibs on the coolest costumes on the block.

Alameda Island Brewing Company (1716 Park Street) View artwork by Alameda artist Carolina Tapia.

Wine & Waffles (1505 Park Street) Sing along with Dmitry Panich on piano, 8:00-10:00pm.

Shops and restaurants throughout the downtown district join in the fun by creating special deals and treats for 2nd Friday patrons. This Friday, hang out with award winning tattoo artists at Tiger’s Blood Social Club and maybe even leave with a flash tattoo. Or take a break at Tomatina and enjoy a free order of their 4-piece garlic rolls as part of the 2nd Friday Art Walk.

There are also fun ways for kids to participate in the Friday the 13th Art Walk. For example, you can reserve a spot for the kiddos in an art class at Twirl where they will get to experiment with slime while creating glitter slime monsters to take home! Advance reservation required; class fee applies.

For more Friday the 13th Art Walk happenings in Downtown Alameda, visit the official event site:
www.fridayartwalk.com

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You’ll always find great food & drink establishments, charming shops, friendly services, and fun things to do in Downtown Alameda! To learn more about the businesses and events in Downtown Alameda, visit our new website: www.DowntownAlameda.com.

Downtown Alameda is the commercial, cultural, and civic center of our island city. We represent over 425 businesses in the Historic Park Street District and nearby side streets. Follow us on your favorite social media sites for updates: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google+