Shop Talk — June 2009

Ross Dress for Less opens in Clayton; a new Edge Shop for Men in Danville; Thriving Ink & Co. in Pleasanton; and more in Shop Talk.

Matt Dronkers

A bad economy means more bargain hunting—which means discount retailers are faring pretty well these days. And so, a new Ross Dress for Less has opened in the Clayton Valley Shopping Center, one of 18 new stores in the Pleasanton-based chain to open nationwide this spring.

Another recession survivor is Lafayette. Following a successful “shop local” campaign, Lafayette’s Chamber of Commerce plans to throw a party on June 5 to thank residents for supporting local shops.

Danville’s Edge Shop for Men, a boutique that sells designer casual clothing for men, is moving to a new location (a few doors down on Prospect Avenue) and is in early planning stages to open Edge for Kids & Teens in Blackhawk Plaza. Edge for Kids will offer girls’ and boys’ clothing for the eight- to 14-year-old age range. Set to open later this month, the new Edge for Men will feature the same clothing styles, plus some new creature comforts for guys, including a custom-built shoe-shine stand.

In downtown Pleasanton, Thriving Ink & Co. has opened at 55 W. Angela Street. Previously operated as an online business by Brenda Dronkers, along with her family, the new clothing and art shop offers custom T-shirts (pictured). The store’s direct-to-garment fabric printer lets anyone with a cool design create his or her own shirt.