It’s no secret kids have been writing and adding to their holiday lists for weeks now. Even social media influencers and bloggers have been publishing their favorite and recommended items for quite some time. But have you noticed a lot of the lists look the same? Many feature the same items, from the same stores over and over again. Why not surprise your loved ones with unique, hand crafted or specialty items that are harder to find?
At Arrive Real Estate, we love to support local small businesses. This year we have put together a list of some of our favorite shops where you may find the perfect gift for someone on your list! From bikes to sweet treats to clothes to games to pets, we have you covered! Do you have a favorite East Bay shop not listed below? Let us know and we will add it!
Bike Stores
Danville Bikes – Owned and operated for over 20 years by Joe (Jose) Gutierrez, Danville Bikes offers customers a huge selection of bike and cycling accessories and provides the area with a superior repair service. Joe and his staff are all riders. As riders they know equipment and the importance of making sure that everything leaving Danville Bike, operates in an optimum manner. Whether you are looking for a new Mountain, Road, Leisure, BMX bike, Trike or even an E-Bike, you’ll find the Valley’s best selection in stock and ready to ride. Located in Downtown Danville.
Superfly Wheels – As an independent bicycle dealer, they strive to continue the small town, family owned atmosphere that you’ve all come to expect. Located in Downtown Pleasanton.
Book Stores
Towne Center Books – Towne Center Books is a locally owned general bookstore, conveniently located on Main Street in Downtown Pleasanton. We stock the books you need and want. Some of our most popular sections include Fiction, Mystery, Personal Growth, and Children’s Books. Our store is an excellent community gathering place as we offer book clubs, author luncheons, and writing workshops. With locations in Pleasanton and Livermore.
Rakestraw Books – Founded in 1973, Rakestraw Books is a small, independent bookshop that remains to be a general bookstore, a refuge for the wide-ranging mind, a place where everyone will find something to her taste – original, first-rate, and somewhat out of the ordinary. This is the reason we exist and why we continue to thrive. Located in Downtown Danville.
Clothing & Accessories
Good Common Sense – Every item we create is organic, non-toxic, and highly effective. No fragrances are used in any of our products. We only use pure therapeutic grade essential oils for all our products because only the highest quality oils can be absorbed safely into the skin and have a nutritional positive effect. Located in Downtown Pleasanton.
Gypsy Boutique – Gypsy Boutique is a women’s clothing store located just minutes from downtown Pleasanton. They carry sizes from 0-3X, along w jewelry, accessories, shoes and home decor!
Lemon – This gift shop is a favorite of locals featuring high quality items, organic baby/spa items, gifts people really want to give and get! They strive to carry local California items possible. Located in Downtown Danville.
Primm Boutique – PRIMM and PRIMM POP owner Marissa Ringman wears many hats. Traveling coast to coast, she pulled experience visual merchandising at Express, styling at Nordstrom, managing at Free People, and even designing her own jewelry line before finding her home in Pleasanton: at the iconic Prim boutique, which she purchased in 2013. Since then, the brand has evolved to mirror Missy’s free-spirited style—and soul. Located in Downtown Pleasanton.
Therapy Stores – Featuring local gifts, made by local artists including jewelry, home decor, accessories and more! Locations in Livermore, Pleasanton and Oakland.
Craft Store
Blue Door Beads – In addition to a beautiful selection of beads, tools & supplies that will inspire your creations, they offer “how to” classes as well as pre-made jewelry by local artists. Give the experience and memory this holiday of taking a class together or create a piece of jewelry with an extra special meaning. Located in Oakland.
Game Store
Games Unlimited – Games Unlimited was opened by Ron and Sue Banducci in Danville, Ca in 1988. It has been a family owned business ever since. Over the years there have been many changes in the game and toy industry but our dedication to serving the community has never changed. Our focus is personalized customer service as well as building relationships with our customers that will last through many generations. Located in the Danville Livery.
Gourmet Foods
Danville Chocolates – Danville Chocolates is Danville’s original, hometown chocolate shop. Stop by the shop to sample our newest creations, take in the aroma of chocolate and fresh caramel cooking, and get in the spirit of every season with our festive decor & fun gifts! Located in Downtown Danville.
Gourmet Works – Delighting the patrons of Downtown Pleasanton’s Main Street since 1999, Kayla Mueller continues the tradition to fill the Gourmet Works with delicious chocolates and charming housewares. Offering a collection of specialty foods, home decor, serving pieces, home scents, candles, cookbooks, aprons, seasonal decorations and of course our artisanal chocolates, the Gourmet Works creates and sources items that are sure to become a beloved part of your gourmet lifestyle.
Peter’s Kettle Corn – Peter’s Kettle Corn began as a passion project by two brothers whose love for kettle corn dates back to their childhood. What started as a hobby that was shared with friends and family grew organically from a few pop-ups a month to the opening of their brick and mortar space in Oakland’s Laurel district. Along with the classic kettle corn, Peter’s Kettle Corn has a variety of popcorn flavors that rotate weekly. Some popular flavors include cheddar bacon, cookies and cream, and Saigon cinnamon sugar. In addition to retail popcorn, Peter’s Kettle Corn offers a variety of services including on-site popping for personal and corporate events.
Sweet Street – Since 2010, Sweet Street has been the place to create memories, shop for hard-to-find candy, pick up unique gifts, splurge on chocolate or gelato, and spend time in one of the sweetest places in town. Our Candy Grams are popular gifts being delivered around town. Located at the Danville Clock Tower.
SugarRoti – SugarRoti’s spice blends were developed to use in your favorite recipes. From traditional curries to modern dishes, one perfectly blended packet transforms a few simple ingredients you may already have at home. Intentionally created to bring the deliciously healthy spices of India to your kitchen without a trip to a specialty grocer. The reality is, we all have less time to shop and cook. SugarRoti strives to bring the fun back in cooking, giving more time to enjoy the food with friends and family. Founded by an Oakland resident.
Home Decor
Bay Area Redwood – Established in 2018, Bay Area Redwood was founded with the mission of keeping trees out of landfill. Today we continue in our work to reclaim urban felled trees to create timeless works of art from sustainably sourced wood. We never like to see fallen trees, but some are uprooted from erosion, infestation, or die of old age. Our organization redirects these trees from being wasted. We then put the materials to higher use by milling slabs or fabricating artisanal wood products by collaborating with local artisans and master craftsmen.
Gourmet Works – Delighting the patrons of Downtown Pleasanton’s Main Street since 1999, Kayla Mueller continues the tradition to fill the Gourmet Works with delicious chocolates and charming housewares. Offering a collection of specialty foods, home decor, serving pieces, home scents, candles, cookbooks, aprons, seasonal decorations and of course our artisanal chocolates, the Gourmet Works creates and sources items that are sure to become a beloved part of your gourmet lifestyle.
Gypsy Boutique – Gypsy Boutique is a women’s clothing store located just minutes from downtown Pleasanton. They carry sizes from 0-3X, along w jewelry, accessories, shoes and home decor!
Misto Lino – Stroll through Misto Lino and your senses come alive. For more than 25 years, our stunning selection of breathtaking bedding, artisan furniture and distinctive home accessories offer timeless beauty for every room in your house. Located in the Danville Livery and Lafayette Mercantile.
Therapy Stores – Featuring local gifts, made by local artists including jewelry, home decor, accessories and more! Locations in Livermore, Pleasanton and Oakland.
Pet Stores
George – This four dog-friendly shop in the Bay Area offer eye-catching pet ephemera, fresh-baked biscuits, and a whole lot more. You’ll also see a quirky collection of vintage display items and paint-by-number dogs and cats that happen to catch our eye. Located in City Center, San Ramon
Molly’s Pup-Purr-ee – A fun shop filled with UNIQUE pet toys and accessories for dogs, cats and gifts for the people who love them! Located in Downtown Danville.
Murphys Paw – Locally owned pet supply & accessory store specializing in American made food & treats. Located in Pleasanton and Livermore.
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Thank you for helping us support our local communities and shop small this holiday season! At Arrive Real Estate Group, we are more than just real estate.
