Robert Engel sells and rents most major brands of used pianos from his A Street warehouse, which is across Ruby Street from his retail Yamaha piano store. He donates pianos to the Castro Valley Performing Arts Center and loans new pianos to Castro Valley schools. He's been in business in this location since 1968. Access is through the retail store on A Street. Chinese-language sales help is available.
Stan Wong of the California Parks Company manages Lake Chabot's marina concession under contract with the East Bay Regional Parks system. Along with snacks, lunches, beverages (no alcohol) and anything else you might need for a day in the park, this is where to buy a fishing license (required for those 16 and older) and to learn what fish have been stocked in the lake. Rowboats, pedal boats and kayaks can be rented for $20 to $60 an hour, with discounts for three hours or more. Fishing gear and life jackets for rental or sale. (Swimming and wading is not allowed, because the lake is a drinking-water source.) The cafe is next to the lake, behind the picnic area; from Lake Chabot Road, follow the signs to the marina. The website is updated weekly with info about fish, lake conditions, etc.
Walking into Crush Comics is like walking into a candy store -- except that it's all eye candy. The walls and shelves are lined with thousands of comics and graphic novels, all covers facing out. It is a colorful feast that ranges from kid-safe fare such as good ol' "Archie Comics" (Betty or Veronica?) to dark, edgy works including "Sin City" or "The Sandman". The vast majority of Crush's trade lands squarely in the middle: mainstream superhero comics from Marvel and DC, such as "Superman", "Batman", "X-Men" and "Fantastic Four". But thumbing through the bins you'll turn up pre-owned back issues as random as a 1977 copy of "Heavy Metal".
The store also carries a variety of superhero action figures, collectibles, posters and T-shirts as well as baseball cards and gaming cards for Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon. The business sponsors youth sports teams and donates items for Castro Valley school fundraisers.
Glorious Beads is a full-service bead store that offers beading classes, beading supplies and various types of beads and books. Be sure to stop by the store or call for more information.
This friendly shop off Edwards Lane still maintains the vibe of the semi-rural grocery and general store it was for more than 60 years. Owners John and Fred Nichandros stock housewares and dishes as well as hardware and garden implements in their floor-to-ceiling inventory. Almost anything you'd need around the house is here, somewhere, in this convenient location.
Barbara Davidson's decades-old dancewear shop is girlie heaven: You open the door to a tulle blizzard of tutus and pink. She concentrates on ballet and ballroom but also sells shoes and clothing in a wide range of sizes for jazz, tap, cheering and praise dance, as well as luau gear, theatrical makeup and a lively selection of maribou and trim. "No costumes," Davidson says. "Unless you want to be a ballerina." Custom orders are no problem, and Davidson, a former dancer and the mom and grandma of dancers, takes time to measure and outfit all her customers with warmth and wit.
There are two kinds of people who patronize coin shops: Those who know what they want but don't have it, and those who have no idea what they've got. Since 1987, Alan Kreuzer has been catering to both. He hunts for and fills specific wants for fellow numismatists, and he appraises jewelery, coins and other items that regular folks often inherit. He tests for authenticity and will make an offer to purchase gold and silver right on the spot. There are scores of coins and other items for sale in his shop, and Alan is friendly and clearly knowledgeable.
Take note independent filmmakers and theatre troupes: For over thirty years, the Douglas Morrisson Theatre has been making costumes for its plays, and because of this, it has assembled quite a collection of costumes that they now rent out. The Theatre also has a small collection of hand props.
Worley's is a Hunter Douglas showcase dealer that sells residents of Castro Valley and surrounding areas all types of flooring and window coverings. Please see the website for more information.
In the same location and run by the same family since 1926 (the current owner is Pete's grand daughter), the folks here take the old "ACE is the place with the helpful hardware man" jingle seriously. Staffed by incredibly friendly and exceptionally knowledgeable employees and stocked with an excellent selection of products, you're likely to find both the supplies and advice that you need. A bin-filled bolt room blessedly sells nails, screws, washers, etc. by the each, and a new garden center opened out back near their full lumber yard earlier this year. Pete's can rescreen your windows and make keys (including chip keys and car remotes), and they operate the "Rent a Husband" handyman service out of the store as well.
Ray has been fixing watches and making keys in what now is Castro Valley's Rite-Aid for more than 20 years. A legacy from the former PayLess (along with the wall of retro clocks above his booth), Ray makes keys for $2-$3 and fixes watches and changes their batteries for rates starting at $8.95. He has a loyal following of old-timers who are happy to wait in line for his services.
Dolphin Graphics provides not only graphic and logo design, photo services and videography but also a complete range of promotional and marketing materials, from T-shirts and pens to banners, websites and printed marketing materials. The firm celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2010 and prides itself on providing a complete range of services. It shares the building with Trader Joe's supermarket.
Music makers will love this great little shop offering new and used guitars, drum sets, keyboards, PAs, amps and band instruments. Owned by the same family for 20 years, and operated as an independent music store for 55 years, the place has a cozy atmosphere and the staff is made up of all musicians. ABC will rent just about any kind of music gear you need, and voice and instrument lessons in "everything, but trumpet" are available from various instructors who work out of a room at the back of the shop.
Aran's Art Studio is located in the Village Shopping Center just off of Castro Valley Boulevard. "Discover your inner artist," is this studio's main focus. By providing more than 300 ceramics including bowls, plates, mugs, bears, cats, vases, platters and tiles of all sizes, kids and adults alike can paint their own masterpieces and the Art Studio will do the rest! Finished pieces may be picked up in about a week. Groups, parties and fund-raisers are greatly encouraged to join in on the fun; Aran's Art Studio hosts fund-raisers for schools, churches, synagogues and other nonprofit organizations.
This friendly shop does various repairs for jewelry and watches. It also sells replacement watch bands, some jewelry, glass figurines, pillboxes and other collectibles.
Spirit Halloween Superstore is a one-stop destination for all things Halloween. Open seasonally, the store carries a large inventory of costumes for the entire family, pets included. Beyond that, it sells masks, accessories, make-up and wigs suited for anything that you plan on dressing up as, as well as decorations for all your Halloween party needs. Coupons are available on the website.
While Castro Valley may be one of the smaller suburbs in the San Francisco Bay Area, it does have its jewels and Robin's Nest is at the top of that list.
A fixture of the Castro Village Shopping Center for well over 25 years, Robin and her mother, Lorraine, have brought contemporary fashion to the doorstep of valley residents. While part of this boutique is dedicated to new merchandise, there is also a section of the store dedicated to consignment items.
Vintage to contemporary jewelry hunters regularly stop in to peruse what these two ladies have found for both young and old fashionistas!
