Miriam S.

East Bay Vivarium

This is an outstanding and unique shop specializing in reptiles. They have quite a variety of different-sized lizzards and snakes and can help you find the pet that is best suited to your personality and lifestyle.
I buy vitamins, heat-lights, etc. for my pet lizzard at this shop. I also have boarded him there when I went on vacation.
Aside from visiting this shop for the necessities mentioned above, I love to visit just to look at all of the different animals. The chameleons are my favorites, they remind me of wise old men. I also always take out-of-town guests here as part of my personalized sight-seeing tour. This place is just "so very Berkeley", I think it really exemplifies the feel and personality of this whole town. A must-see, even if you don't want to buy anything! Also a good sight-seeing opportunity for kids.
I do hope I'm never in this shop when an earthquake hits!

PROS: You can't get
CONS: I do hope I'm never in this shop when an earthquake hits!

Trader Joe's

If you have never been to a TJ's before, you first visit will be quite a surprise. DON'T BE INTIMIDATED! If you take the time to explore this store during several visits, you will become a fan!
On your first visit you will notice the store seems VERY BUSY and you may wonder about the checkout lines. DON'T WORRY - the lines move REALLY QUICKLY - I've never waited longer than 5 minutes here.
The brands are not "mainstream" brands that you will know from a store like Albertson's or Safeway's. But they do always carry the same products so once you find your favorites they will always be there.
This is a very ethical grocery store - there is a large emphasis on HEALTHY products as well as on organic products (healthy for our planet). When you start comparing the food to more conventional brands you will see that they are much lower in fat and calories, higher in fiber, etc. (Yet they still taste great!)
The store is small so some things can be hard to find, they are packed into every available nook and cranny. If you hear a friend talking about something they buy at TJ's be sure to ask WHERE in the store it is found. (Don't be surprised to get an answer that is something like "near the tortilla chips, and right down next to the floor.)
Everything here is also really well priced. Most everything here is what you would consider a "specialty" item at a store like Albertson's or Safeway. Yet the prices are CHEAPER than those more conventional brands. There will be brands that you can compare directly sometimes and these will also always be cheaper at Trader Joe's (Ex: Kettle Chips brand lightly-salted chips at now $5.99 at Albertson's, they're around $3.50 at TJ's.)
The store always is giving away free samples in the back corner. They also have a large selection of fresh-flowers, these make great hostess gifts when you are headed to a party (and, like everything else, are CHEAP). TJ's is famous for Charles Shaw wine, affectionately known as "2-buck Chuck".

PROS: Healthy, Organic, CHEAP
CONS: Can be an intimidating store for the new-comer

Highlander Laundry Ctr

This laundromat is tucked away in the back corner of the "Town Center" shopping center. It is large, spacious, and clean and has quite a few giant front-loading washers. I prefer the laundromat in El Cerrito Plaza (this one is a little smaller). If I lived closer to Highlander than to the Plaza Laundry I would defnitely go to Highlander - although Plaza Laundry is really nice it isn't that much nicer than this one so it wouldn't be worth the extra driving.

Plaza Coin Laundry

Despite the name, there is not a coin in sight in this establishment. All of the machines work with a card that you charge up at a machine. You must buy the card (for $2) the first time you visit the laundry. After that just keep it in your wallet (you probably will have some value left on it) and consider it to be like cash.
This is a great laundromat, VERY clean, very modern, LOTS of machines. I really like the electronic-card payment system that it uses, it sure beats having to round up $20-worth of quarters for laundry day.
This facility specializes in LARGE washing machines (double and triple-loaders). I actually prefer these to a regular machine because I think they get the clothes cleaner (you add 2 sets of detergent to the machine - one for the "pre-wash" and 1 for the "wash".) They have 5 different sizes of machines (regular machines + 4 sizes of front-loading "mega-machines"). Be warned that the machines nearest the door are NOT the smallest (& therefore cheapest!) ones. To get the best deal look around and pick the best-sized machine for your load of laundry. The smallest of the "mega-machines" are all the way in the middle row.

PROS: Awesome Coinless machines, BIG machines, clean, spacious, TELEVISIONS
CONS: Slightly expensive, dryers take just a little longer than I'd like them to

The Walk Shop

Located in Walnut Square, this shoe shop specializes in comfortable footwear - shoes that you can WALK in. They actually have many items that are very stylish and attractive (could be worn with a business outfit, etc.) yet they are still COMFORTABLE. You will sacrifice neither comfort NOR fashion when you wear these shoes!

PROS: COMFORTABLE shoes, high-quality product, decent selection
CONS: Not cheap! (Check out the prices on their webpage before you go.)

Beadbiz

This bead shop is a bit small in terms of square-footage, but they have managed to place an amazing array of products into their small space. They sell beads made from semi-precious (natural stones) and glass beads, too. Lots of seed beads and lots of "findings". Everything is displayed in an organized and attractive fasion, it's enjoyable to browse there. The staff is very friendly and helpful and the store also offers classes. They handle sterling silver and gold-filled chain, wire, and findings, as well. Check out this shop before you drag yourself all the way to baubles-and-beads in Berkeley, there is a good chance you won't need to look further!
They also can make custom jewelry for you (if you're not inclined to make it yourself) and do repairs.

PROS: Quality Product, Decent Selection, Friendly and Knowledgable Staff
CONS: Shop is just a tad bit on the small size

Cost Less Beads

This is a HUGE bead store with a HUGE selection. The store truly lives up to its name - the prices are very good. If you are looking for good prices this is the bead shop for you. But if you are looking for high-end, quality product (real silver, real gemstones, etc.) the selection is pretty limited. (It just all depends on what you are looking for!)

PROS: Huge selection, good prices
CONS: Not "high-end" product

Bead Castle

This small bead shop specializes in PEARLS - many different sizes, shapes, colors, etc. If you are visiting the other Berkeley bead shops anyway, then you might as well stop by here, too!

PROS: Extensive selection of pearls
CONS: Small shop, small selection (aside from pearls)

Stone Crazy

This shop is almost next door to the better know Baubles and Beads. They do not have a very prominent sign so you will have to look closely to find them (they are located north of Baubles and Beads). They specialize in gemstone beads and pearls (all "natural"-type beads, few or no glass beads). If you are going to Baubles and Beads anyway, make sure to stop by this shop as well. Their selection is not nearly as extensive as B&B, but if they happen to have what you are looking for the price will be MUCH better.
They also sell silver pieces (including rings) by weight. Their silver collection is not very extensive.

PROS: Natural Products, GOOD PRICES
CONS: limited selection

Baubles and Beads

For the jewelry hobbyist. Very nice bead shop with a HUGE selection. Lots of quality items - HUGE selection of Swarovski crystals, lots of quality silver items (including chain), etc. They also offer classes. The store is very spacious and has a very "airy" feel. They are very friendly and greet you the minute you walk in the door.

PROS: HUGE selection, quality product
CONS: Perhaps a tad bit overpriced, but you ARE getting good quality stuff