Montclair Village is facing notable commercial vacancies with the closure of Rite Aid and Folks' Art, significantly affecting the community. Rite Aid's larger space will particularly leave a void until leased, while Folks' Art owner, due to health issues, is moving her merchandise to Chinatown after 50 years in business. Meanwhile, the Oakland City Council has unanimously approved a plan to restore the derelict Montclair firehouse, abandoned for decades, marking a step towards revitalization in the area.
The pharmacy has closed at the Montclair Rite Aid, and the store will be empty by the end of July. This closure, alongside the shuttered Chase Bank branch, leaves a significant void in the Montclair Village commercial district. Many Montclarions remember when the charming structure that Chase Bank occupied was the Carriage House Inn and Restaurant. The Rite Aid space, being much larger, will have a major impact until a new tenant is found.
Folks' Art, an arts and crafts collective that has been in Montclair for 50 years, is closing permanently due to the owner's family health issues. Owner Anh Nguyen plans to relocate her merchandise to her store in Oakland's Chinatown by October. Nguyen expresses a deep sense of loss for her loyal customers and the neighborhood after eight years of operations.
The Oakland City Council has voted unanimously to approve a proposal to restore Montclair's firehouse at 6226 Moraga Ave., which has been abandoned for 36 years. Brook Nancy Lehrkind mentioned serious derelict conditions, with hazardous debris and animal carcasses present. The council's resolution allows the city administrator to negotiate a lease for restoring the landmark building.
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