The diversity of the East Bay is quite inspirational - it offers a little something for everyone. To protect the variety of local businesses that make our community unique, let's choose to buy from small businesses we know and love. Here are a few that we hope you'll want to support this year.

 

For food lovers in your life, here are a few local eateries we think they'll enjoy:

 

• La Farine French Bakery in Oakland

• Oaktown Spice Shop in Albany, Oakland and Castro Valley

• Casa de Chocolates in Berkeley

• El Cerrito Natural Grocery in El Cerrito and Berkeley

• The Chocolate Dragon Bittersweet Cafe and Bakery in Oakland

• Wooden Table Baking Co. in Oakland

• Souley Vegan in Oakland

• Franklin Brothers Market in Berkeley

• Rotha in Albany

• La Note in Berkeley

• The Xocolate Bar in Berkeley

• Inn Kensington in Kensington

• Saul's Restaurant & Delicatessen in Berkeley

• Boichik in Berkeley

• Anaviv in Richmond

• La Strada Cucina Italiana in San Pablo

• Arizmendi Bakery in Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, San Rafael and San Francisco

Stress abounds in these uncertain times. Consider a few relaxation "techniques":

 

• Cask in Berkeley and San Francisco

• Ordinaire Wines in Oakland

• Nickel Dime Cocktail Syrups in Oakland

• Absinthia in Oakland

• Sons of Liberty Alehouse in San Leandro

• Drake's Brewing Co. in San Leandro and Oakland

• Fieldwork Brewing in Berkeley

• Naveana Nail Salon in Albany

• Piedmont Springs in Oakland

Stay warm during those cold mornings:

 

• Catahoula Coffee in Richmond and Berkeley

• Timeless Coffee in Oakland and Berkeley

• Highwire Coffee in Albany, Berkeley, Alameda and Oakland

• Farley's Coffee in Oakland and San Francisco

• Artis in Berkeley

Books and music are some of the best ways to buy local:

 

• Pegasus Books in Berkeley and Oakland

• Builders Booksource in Berkeley

• East Bay Booksellers in Oakland

• Moe's Books in Berkeley

• Spectator Books in Oakland

• Walden Pond Books in Oakland

• Dave's Record Shop in Berkeley

• Stranded in Oakland

For your gardening-loving and eco-conscience friends:

 

• Flowerland in Albany

• Momo's Flowers and More in Albany

• Orchid Florist in Berkeley

• Berkeley Horticultural Nursery in Berkeley

• Blk Girls Green House in Oakland

• Crimson Horticulture in Oakland

• Mudlab in Oakland

• Fillgood in Berkeley

• Arjan Flowers & Herbs in Oakland

Having a difficult time thinking of what to get for the hard-to-gift someone? Consider a few special stores:

 

• Philippa Roberts in Oakland

• Jenny K in El Cerrito

• Fern's Garden in Berkeley

• Ceci Bowman in Berkeley

• Umami Interiors in Albany

• MorningTide in Albany

• Tail of the Yak in Berkeley

• The Gardener in Berkeley

• Narrative in Oakland

• Nathan & Co. in Oakland

• Bay-Made in Oakland

• Gathering Tribes in Richmond

• Urban Indigo in Oakland

• Mom & Pop Art Shop in Richmond

• Richmond Art Center in Richmond

• Bart Bridge in Oakland

• Maison d'Etre in Oakland

• Halmar in Berkeley

• Lava 9 in Berkeley

• Yaza in Berkeley

• Siamese Dream in Berkeley

• 510 Skate Shop in Berkeley

• Creep Mustache Skate Shop in Oakland

• Games of Berkeley in Berkeley

• Luvhaus in Oakland

• Daisy's in Alameda

This hardly scrapes the surface of what the East Bay has to offer, but it should serve as a helpful resource for your last-minute shopping needs. Let's do what we can to support our local business and ensure that we uphold the beautiful diversity of our community.