Dimond shopping district is flourishing
Originally appeared in Bay Area News Group publications on October 10th and 19th, 2008 as a companion piece to my Oct. 5th, 2008 Oaktoberfest blog
Updated June 2015.
The Dimond District has, indeed, proven to be a success story.
The area around the Fruitvale/MacArthur intersection of the Dimond District has always been alive with activity. Those in the neighborhood could pick up coffee on the way to the San Francisco express bus, do their banking, and stop off for Chinese food or pizza after work.
Momentum begins
In June 2006, after over a year of exciting buzz, new energy came into the neighborhood with the opening of a mammoth, second Farmer Joe’s at 3426 Fruitvale Avenue (the original one is in the neighboring Laurel District). Replacing a former Lucky’s supermarket, “New Joe’s” has been a revelation, not only for those in the Dimond, but for appreciative customers from all over Oakland. This store instantly became the anchor business that has attracted many other shops and restaurants to the district.
Across the parking lot driveway from Farmer Joe’s, in the former home of Mel’s Diner, is Nama sushi house. Peet’s Coffee and La Farine bakery came in directly opposite not long ago.
Down the street is the soon-to-be-opened now open Shaan, serving north and south Indian cuisine. Continuing around the corner and a short way down MacArthur, is the Flower Lounge Chinese restaurant. Although it qualifies as a neighborhood landmark of many years standing, it deserves mention as one of the better Chinese restaurants in Oakland, serving huge portions at very reasonable prices. On the opposite side of the street, Romano pizza parlor and the next-door, Ram’s Barber Shop have been nicely spiffed up.
To top things off, on October 4th, 2008, the first annual Oktoberfest in the Dimond (a.k.a. Oaktoberfest) was wildly popular, as have subsequent years. There are musical bands presented on two stages, a wide variety of delicious foods, German and otherwise, a huge beer garden, and a root beer garden for the kids. Numerous booths display and sell crafts and various items. Even a chiropractor may be available to get out the kinks. Dennis Evanosky, a well known expert on Oakland history, has been available to sign his books and give walking tours.
Looking ahead
Success such as this is likely to foster further success. There is a strong possibility that the retail establishments and positive, neighborhood activities will serve as magnets for home buyers who would like to live near a special shopping area and convenient transportation hub, furthering the popularity for Dimond and Upper Dimond District homes. You know good things are happening when so many Realtors mention the proximity of the businesses listed in this article as a positive feature when describing homes in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
Final Thoughts
Will the Dimond be the next Rockridge or Piedmont Avenue? Who knows? Meanwhile, those who live here are happy their neighborhood keeps getting better and better. At a time of so much negative news, the Dimond District is a big success story.
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First Annual Oktoberfest in the Dimond