Why did you decide to open Modern Mouse?

I love all things handmade, and I've always had an entrepreneurial streak. When the opportunity presented itself to bring a handmade boutique to my community, I jumped at the chance. Modern Mouse first opened its doors to the public with a collection of fun, high-quality handmade goods from over 50 starting artists on November 9, 2009.

What helps you decide which pieces to carry in your shop?

We're a little-bit-of-everything boutique, and we look for the most delightful in each category! Our specialty is in local + handmade goods, and we offer a carefully curated collection of stuff we love and think our customers might too. We scour local craft fairs and other sources for new artists and also get new applicants through our online application.

Where do you recommend customers eat or grab a coffee and snack
near the shop?

My favorite place to eat at South Shore is Sushi House -- generous portions of fresh and delicious sushi at great prices. Up Park Street (our main drag), my favorite places to grub are Hang Ten Boiler (mm, crab) and Burma Superstar (tea leaf salad!), followed by a tapioca milk tea dessert beverage from newly opened Bambu.

What's a hidden gem (eatery, shop, scenic lookout, hiking trail, etc.) in Alameda that few know about?

Eatery: Little House Cafe. Scenic lookout and walking trail: Shoreline Park on Bay Farm Island, which is close to where I live. Oh, and the family and I also looove hanging out on the outdoor patio at the family-friendly Rock Wall Winery (yes, a winery in Alameda) on a sunny day!

What is the best part/most surprising part about owning the shop?

Aside from being able to be surrounded by such dangerously tempting merchandise all the time, one of my favorite parts of shopkeeping is getting to meet and befriend such a wide variety of people, from our talented and inspiring artist/crafter/design entrepreneurs to our wonderful customers, and my dear staff whom I affectionately consider a part of my growing family.

On the more surprising end is just how much has to happen behind the scenes to make the business run smoothly. I knew it would be a ton of work but haven't ceased to be impressed by how much data there is to manage, track, report on and analyze, especially given our consignment business model. I should thank my dad for forcing me to change majors from Poli Sci + Rhetoric to Business Administration, and I don't know if our systems could ever have been so solid if it weren't for my lots of backend work by my software developer hubby and sister. It takes a village!

Modern Mouse
2223 South Shore Center
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 814-8830

Mon – Fri 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

Saturday 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Sunday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

B Street Mercantile opened in April of 2013 in downtown Petaluma, CA. Patti Looper and Jenny Paisley, both owners of their own indie craft businesses, Patti Lou Designs and Blockhead Press, are the owners. Located in the heart of downtown Petaluma, this shop prides itself on being "a celebration of the independent designer, artist, and craftsperson." The store carries over 65 brands, many of them local to Northern California, including 2 of our own Creative Business League members, note•ify and Drywell Art.

Why did you decide to open B Street Mercantile?

There so many amazing local and independent artists creating unique items for savvy customers who want to shop local, and we felt we could provide Petaluma with a shopping experience they could not find anywhere else in town. We could not pass up an opportunity to move into our bright and happy location in downtown Petaluma, so it was the perfect timing to make our dreams a reality. With our combined talents, artistic backgrounds and similar tastes and styles in the products, we knew we could create something special.

What helps you decide which pieces to carry in your shop?

People are always looking for unique, high quality, and reasonably priced items that they can't find anywhere else. We search throughout the Bay Area and beyond for just the right mix of home decor, children's items, stationery, textiles, special occasion gifts, and more that we feel our customers will love and enjoy as much as we do. We always venture to find small batch, independently-minded craftspeople to stock the best in gift items.

note•ify prints on the top row next to Drywell Art prints

Where do you recommend customers eat or grab a coffee and snack near the shop?

There are so many wonderful eateries in downtown Petaluma. Just a few doors down from us you will find a fabulous cup of coffee and fresh homemade cookies at Acre Coffee. Bovine Bakery up the street offers a hearty rice bowl and fresh salads made daily. Wild Goat Bistro for lunch and dinner is not to be missed and a local Petaluma favorite!

What is the best part/most surprising part about owning the shop?

Historic downtown Petaluma is a wonderful place to open just the kind of store we created. We have the support of all our wonderful artists, and our customers truly appreciate the unique items we offer. We have been pleasantly surprised at how welcoming our customers are each day and how they love coming in to find that perfect gift. Our partnership has been such a rewarding experience, and we love how the shop continues to be our happy place each morning when we come down to open our doors.

Drywell Art's Charcoal Butchery Diagrams

A selection of note•ify's cards and notebooks

B Street Mercantile

316 B Street
Petaluma, CA 94952

Tues - Sat. 10am-5pm
Sundays 12pm-4pm
Closed Mondays