Carl M.
Yelp
OwlNWood is super cool. I am new to Oakland and the Bay Area (from Brooklyn), so it was so great to feel welcome and special, considering I'm a "nobody"!
The earthy, local, non-corporate feel of the store is right up my alley, (love the iPad checkout, pay anywhere in the shop, wireless!). Immediately I knew that I MUST bring my girlfriend, a local vintage wine and clothing buyer.
On my first visit to the store (been back several times now), I met Rachel, (pronounced Raah-kel). She is the owner and designer who put together such an array of local, artist/design collaborations, men's apparel, local art and jewelry, not to mention carefully selected accessories and vintage clothing. International brands are top quality here.
I walked out with not just 1, but 2, pairs of SuperRetroFuture sunglasses (made in Italy!), for me and my special lady. ONW has a selection of SRF eye-wear that is unparalleled ANYWHERE! Trust me, I have searched far and wide, not even NYC's own Steven Alan can compete with the hand selected styles at ONW. That said, I fully support local artists and brands as a consumer and upcoming local jeweler myself!
I couldn't resist to purchase a comfortable and elegant athletic sweatshirt from "Below The Surface" AKA BTS, a Bay Area based upscale urban apparel brand. Rachel was gracious enough to introduce me to her BTS vendor rep, who was extra enthusiastic about my purchase from his line.
To top it all off, Rachel and her BTS vendor both invited me to an upcoming event hosted by OakStreetStyle fashion blog introducing OwlNWood 1st Look-book of 2013! OMG. The event was hella fun (yes, HELLA) and everyone working for ONW made me feel that much more at home.
My significant other and personal stylist, Haley D Alexander, was so stoked about a pair of limited SuperRetroFuture glasses she saw. Naturally I had to buy them from Christian, ONW's swanky staffer and her iPad "Square" register, no paper wasted, just an elegant email receipt! Christian was so discreet in the checkout process, as per my request; Haley D didn't even see me purchase her surprise spectacles!
I really walked out feeling like a "somebody".
THX Owl N Wood, Rachel, Christian and Cam, for making me feel at home in Oakland :)