The Best Retail Stores in Alameda (Reader’s Choice 2025)

One of the great joys of living in Alameda is shopping local. From charming vintage shops and independent bookstores to beloved neighborhood groceries and stylish boutiques, Alameda’s retail scene is full of personality and heart. Each year, readers of Alameda Magazine vote for their favorite places to shop—celebrating the stores that make errands enjoyable, gift-giving easy, and weekend strolls along Park Street and beyond a little more fun.

Here are the Best of Alameda 2025 Retail Store winners and finalists, as chosen by the community.

Best Antique Stores

Winner: The Katz Meow

Park St. Vintage
Rocket Reuse
Second Home
The Katz Meow
Thrifty Kitty

Best Bike Shops

Winner: Alameda Bicycle

Alameda Bicycle
Cycle City Alameda
Westside Joe’s Bikes

Best Bookstores

Winner: Books Inc.

Books Inc.
Feathered Outlaw
Park St. Vintage
Rocket Reuse

Best Children’s Stores

Winner: Toy Safari

Bird & Bean
Books Inc.
Lauren’s Closet
Mommy’s Trading Post
Toy Safari

Best Flower Shops

Winner: Dandelion Flowers & Gifts

Central Florist
Daisy’s
Dandelion Flowers & Gifts
Francesca Ricci
Leamington Florist

Best Frame Shops

Winner: Alameda Custom Framing

Alameda Custom Framing
Cheap Pete’s Alameda
CP Photos & Frames
Michael’s

Best Game & Toy Stores

Winner: Toy Safari

Lauren’s Closet
Mommy’s Trading Post
Park St. Vintage
Toy Safari

Best Gift Shops

Winner: Daisy’s

All Good Living Foundation
Daisy’s
Modern Mouse
The Katz Meow
Whales & Friends

Best Greeting Card Store

Winner: Modern Mouse

Books Inc.
Daisy’s
Modern Mouse
The Katz Meow
Whales & Friends

Best Grocery Stores

Winner: Encinal Market

Alameda Natural Grocery
Encinal Market
Grocery Outlet
Island Savoy Market
Nob Hill Foods
Trader Joe’s

Best Hardware Stores

Winner: Pagano’s Hardware

Encinal Hardware
Pagano’s Hardware
The Home Depot

Best Health Food Stores

Winner: Alameda Natural Grocery

Alameda Natural Grocery
Island Savoy Market

Best Jewelry Stores

Winner: Seelenbacher Jewelers

Daisy’s
Feathered Outlaw
Seelenbacher Jewelers
The Katz Meow
To Herb with Love

Best Plant Nurseries

Winner: Encinal Nursery

Encinal Nursery
Planta Pedro
Planting Justice
Ploughshares Nursery

Best Resale Clothing Shops

Winner: The Katz Meow

Lauren’s Closet
Mommy’s Trading Post
Rocket Reuse
The Katz Meow
Thrifty Kitty

Best Women’s Clothing & Shoe Stores

Winner: Lilac Dress Boutique

Daisy’s
Lanvie Boutique
Lilac Dress Boutique
Live Simply Surf
Park St. Vintage
The Katz Meow
TJ Maxx

About the Best of Alameda Retail Stores

Alameda Magazine’s Best of Alameda was created to give readers throughout Alameda and the East Bay a voice in celebrating their personal “family favorite” Retail Stores and everyday local businesses. Over the years, the program has continued to grow—thanks to enthusiastic participation from the community.

Voting for Best of Alameda Retail Stores takes place in two rounds. The first round begins in March with open write-in nominations and continues through mid-April. After nominations close, the second round opens in April and May, allowing readers to vote from among the top-nominated retailers.

Final winners are announced in October, recognizing the shops that help make Alameda such a special place to browse, buy, and support local.

We hope you enjoy discovering—and shopping—the Best Retail Stores in Alameda.