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Behind the Counter by John Viet Having grown up in suburbia, where the only shopping destination was the monotonous mall, I was amazed by the variety of stores that Berkeley had to offer—from Lhasa Karnak Herb Co. to Eastwind Books. The diversity of the retail spaces truly reflects Berkeley as a multicultural shopping district. Thousands of students, workers and residents pass by or through these stores everyday. As Downtown Berkeley continues to grow and develop, the dynamics of city-center shopping will change, making it important to document these current independent shopkeepers. In contrast to daytime visitors, shopkeepers stand behind the counter all day. They have a vested interest in the economy and help to create a colorful urban ambiance. Ultimately, they need our support. So the next time you step into a small store to buy a chess set or Tibetian prayer flags, take a moment and get to know the extraordinary shopkeepers of Downtown Berkeley.  |
Jayaman | 2270 Shattuck Ave | Aum (est. 2005) | 
Samantha & April | 1938 Shattuck Avenue | Lhasa Karnak Herb Co. (est. 1970) | 
Steen, Walter & Charles| Shattuck Ave | Games of Berkeley | 
Tatanisha | 2058 University Ave | The Goodwill Store | 
Jay | 2004 University | Darling Flower Shop | 
Anil | 2011 University Ave | Shrimanti’s Ltd. (est. 1977) | 
Myha | 2066 University Ave | Eastwind Books (est. 1982) | 
Barry | 2161 University Avenue | Mike's Bikes
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