Introduction
October 9, 2007
These great local businesses have excellent products and services and take good care of their employees, many of whom actually grew up and live here. Proactively allocating your spending to businesses like these assures a healthy, unique and vibrant Re-Localized Economy immune from economic decisions made by outsiders.
MILL VALLEY/ CORTE MADERA
Mill Valley Lumber, 129 Miller near downtown. 388-3532 Since 1892. A great old-fashioned lumberyard. Knowledgeable, experienced local guys with a great selection. Not a general hardware store. Building materials only. High quality lumber at good prices. (Their #2 and better lumber is usually equal to #1, or select grade)
U.S. Post Office (No lines!) All Wrapped Up, 38 Miller, Mill Valley, 381-9727. Mail boxes, Notary, FedEx, fax, copies, cards and gifts. Post Office hrs. M-F 8:30-4:30, 9-1 Sat. Store hrs.8:30-7 M-F, Sat 9-5 Sun closed. Run by Lisa & family 16+ years.
Mill Valley Market. 12 Corte Madera Ave. Family owned supermarket, large deli, huge sandwiches renowned wine store. Long term employees. Major supporter of local schools. Proportion of ORGANICS approaching that of Whole Foods. M-Sat 7:00 Am-7:30 PM. Sun 9-7. 388-3222
Professional Locksmith. Valley Security & Tool. Lester Hubbard, owner. Every house or car key made. House calls. 34 Miller. 388-1315, 388-7811. Contractors License #567278.
Paint. Tamalpais Paint & Color. 30 Tamalpais Dr. 924-7321 Corte Madera, Take Magnolia past the fire/police station. Beyond the right turn THE professionals in Marin. Get the older guys to help you here. And at 338 Miller at Willow, M.V. 388-1086
Plant Nursery. Green Jeans. On east. side frontage road North of Seminary Drive off-ramp. M.Valley. Kevin and Xander, his wife, owners. 389-8333 highest quality fruit trees, organic vegetables, decorative plants, bulk seeds, garden furniture, screens.
Coffee. Peet’s on the Mill Valley plaza across from the Depot. Best hang-out social coffee atmosphere in MV. A chain, but tasteful and highest quality.
Professional Graphic Design. Bonnie Phippen, Bachelor of Design, 383-7220. Illuminating the benefits of your product or service through dynamic design. See for yourself at phippen.com i.e. Peet’s brochures.
Organic/Vegan food. Cafe del Soul, 247 Shoreline Hwy, Tam Valley 388-1852, 11-7 everyday. Behind Arco station. Soups, wraps, rice dishes, salads, juices, smoothies. Not cheap, but fabulous quality.
Italian. La Ginestra. M.V. 127 Throckmorton across from Citibank.. Consistently great. Large portions. Average cost. 388-0224 Same family owners 30 years+. Garlic Lover? Try the macerated garlic/Olive oil on bread.
Pharmacy. Pharmaca, 230 E..Blithedale, MV. 388-7822 Full pharmacy, alternate medicines, herbs, personal consultations. Compounding (custom mixed medicines). Licensed Nutritionist on staff:
Thrift Store. Mount Carmel Thrift Store. 388-4332 Lovell at Madrona, MV. 10-4 Mon-Sat. Things constantly turn over. Lots of clothing-some treasures. (OR: The Family Thrift Store, 448 Miller, MV 388-9596.1 block past Whole Foods)
Appliance repairs - Mr. Fixit. 558 Miller near Tam High. M-F 9-5, Sat 10-5 388-1026 Small appliance repair. Vacuums for sale/parts, stereos, TVs. All manner of repairs. They make it fixable-not landfill. Since 1962.
Cleaners. National Cleaners, 353 Miller Ave, M.V. 381-2102. Two blocks toward Mt. Tam from Whole Foods. Lady that works there is named “Chao”. Usually about 20% less expensive than other cleaners. Finished laundry/dry cleaning. Quick turnover.
Farmer’s Markets. Civic Center Sunday & Thursday Mornings. 8-1PM. Also Saturdays 10-2 at Larkspur Landing ‘till Thanksgiving. Main St. Tiburon Weds, Fairfax Theater parking lot Wednesday 4-8 PM. June-October.
Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista, Corte Madera. 927-0960. Madera offramp Southbound 101, Lucky Drive off. Northbound 101. Huge bookstore, new and used. nice little cafe. Eclectic authors, Speakers, presentations, literate and informed. Warning: Infested by Isabel Allende groupies.
Tree Surgeon-Certified Arborist. Brooks Tree Care. 388-1232. Skilled tree climbers landscapers. Donates much work to public parks-projects. Insured, Bonded, Worker’s Compensation. Calif. Certified Arborist #319. Contractor’s License #660478.
FOR CHILDREN
Music Teacher. All Band Instruments. John Sadler 328-4306, 25 years experience teaching in Marin. B.A.Music-emphasis on teaching. State Teaching Credential. In Home visits or at Bananas At Large, 4th St. San Rafael.
Solaria. Bon Aire Center, Greenbrae, next to Long’s. 461-4642, 10-6 M-Sa, 12-5 Su. Best toy store in Marin. Lots of American and European hand made quality wooden toys. Games, special orders.
A Child’s Delight. 945-9221 Corte Madera Town Center-W.side freeway. M-F 10-8, Sa 10-7, Su 11-6. Medium sized store with lots of wooden and traditional toys, musical instruments, infants to pre-adolescent. No Barbies or Star Wars. Free gift wrapping.
Heller’s. 514 Fourth, S.R. 456-5533. Huge selection, baby/small kids, clothes, furniture, supplies. Can special order parts for cribs and toys. Moderate $
Used kid’s Clothing / Furniture - Outgrown. High quality bought and sold, fair prices. 1417 4th St., San Rafael. 457-2219 M-S 10-2
SAN RAFAEL
Jackson’s Hardware. 435 Du Bois at Anderson Drive, San Rafael. 454-3748. 100% employee-owned. Huge selection and most knowledgeable helpful people anywhere. Tools, bldg. Material, rentals, lighting, plumbing, sharpening, work clothes, shoes and decorative stuff.. No lumber. This is, based on selection and worker/owners knowledge, the best store of its type in the State. They speak your language here. You’ll save time here.
Indian. India Village. San Rafael. Bellam Boulevard off ramp, turn left under freeway, left on East Francisco Boulevard Turn right before the “Harbor Center 555” sign Excellent-huge portions-inexpensive-nice atmosphere. Family owned.456-2411
FAIRFAX
Book-Beat. 256-9060 28 Bolinas Rd, Fairfax. New and used Books, Teachers get discount. CDs. 7:00am-8:00pm 7 days. Cafe with great light, lots of locals great coffee & organic pastries. Free Internet. Live music 3 times a week artists.The cultural center of Town.
Organic Bakery. Fat Angel Bakery, 71 Broadway. Shannon Stapel proprietor. 455-0590 Immaculate facilities , Coffee drinks. Seating area. Hand made pastries baked daily open 7 days.
Down the block is Fairfax Scoop. Bright yellow store-front. 453-3130 Next to the great old fashioned variety store at 63 Broadway. in Fairfax. Fabulous ice-cream made from 100% Organic West Marin fruit and milk. Home-made waffle cones. 12-10. Closed Christmas to Mid-February. Across the boulevard is:
Good Earth Natural Foods. 1966 S.F.Drake,454-0123, 9-8 Also 100% Organic. Usually less expensive than Whole Foods. Pleasant outdoor seating area. All organic produce, most grocery items organic, deli, bakery, dairy, juice bar, fresh fish and poultry; organic wine and beer; organic bulk food and herbs; natural and organic body care and supplements; grass fed beef and free range poultry; organic pet food
S&N Auto Parts and Garage: Foreign & Domestic. 64 Bolinas Rd. Parts 456-9400 / Garage 457-7830. Bob Parfitt, owner in business there for 32 years. Straightforward garage with skilled American mechanics.
Fairfax Lumber. 100% employee-owned. Organic nursery, hardware M-F 7:30-6. Sat-Su 8:30-5. 453-4410. FSC-certified lumber. Green Building Material. 109 Broadway going uphill out of town on left.
MOVIE THEATERS
(1) Great independent and classical films - Lark Theater, 549 Magnolia, Larkspur 924-5111; (2) Rafael Film Center, 1118 Fourth Street , San Rafael 454.1222
Best way to find free/inexpensive furniture-cars-tools-etc or to sell-donate-trade Anything, more effective than paid advertising and with no charge to anyone plus a Huge audience is Craigslist