MCM Roadtrip: Narrative Oakland
Twin George Nelson dressers by Vince Bravo at Narrative Oakland.
We love our local Sacramento vintage shops but it is always fun to check out vintage shops in nearby cities. One recent rainy Saturday we checked out a vintage collective in Oakland aptly named, Narrative Oakland.
Founded in 2016 by Vanessa Murray, it is located in the old Iron Works Building in Jack London Square. Narrative Oakland is home to about 50 vendors over 15,000 square feet.
Brutalist wall sculpture and mid century art at Narrative Oakland.
Many collectives that we have visited are so stuffed with items that it was too overwhelming to get a sense of what each vendor had to offer.
Narrative Oakland by contrast is well laid out and each vendor space is well cared for and curated. The items are easily viewed and not a spec of dust to be seen. Even though the individual owners of each space were not always present, the front desk staff was very helpful in providing details about specific vendors, offering a measuring tape and even assisting us with loading our car with our finds.
A vintage Eames Lounge at Narrative Oakland.
Because yes, even though we were “just looking” we ended up with several items. One was a long searched for piece of vintage Blenko glass and the other was a vintage George Nelson designed storage cabinet.
Also note that the first Saturday of each month Narrative Oakland hosts an outdoor vintage market nearby.
Aluminum and glass coffee table by Knut Hesterberg at Narrative Oakland.
Storefront for Narrative Oakland.
Oakland Vintage Market
First Saturday monthly
10-3 pm
222 Jefferson Street
Partial list of vendors
Mid century wall unit at Narrative Oakland.
Nearby places to eat
The shop has a recommended restaurant list at the front desk but if you don’t mind driving a short distance ,our favorite spot is Tacos Oscar — check their Instagram for opening days/hours @tacososcar
