The Berkeley Hat Company is closing after nearly 50 years on Telegraph Avenue, with its owner, Carol Lipnick, planning a final sale and a sidewalk party before retiring.

Baristas at three East Bay Blue Bottle coffee shops are on strike, requesting fair pay and workplace representation, and urging a customer boycott until a satisfactory contract is reached. The strikes are part of wider unrest in the service industry.

Safeway is closing its Jackson St. store in Hayward due to the lease expiring and plans to relocate the 76 affected employees. The company emphasizes continued commitment to the community with its nearby Foothill Boulevard store.

The Port of Oakland saw reduced cargo volumes in September 2025 due to shifting trade patterns, despite maintaining operational efficiency and resilience.

Nonprofits accuse Flipcause, a fundraising platform, of failing to distribute donations, causing financial stress and program cancellations; the Better Business Bureau rates the company 'F'.

Pinstripes Holdings, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 and closed its Walnut Creek location less than a year after opening. Gift cards and event deposits remain valid at other locations.

Lamumba Inc., operator of a historic Oakland venue, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to a defaulted $4.25 million loan and is facing financial restructuring.

A Northern California roofing contractor and its owner must pay nearly $2 million in unpaid wages and damages to 158 workers for violating overtime laws.

Books Inc., a Bay Area bookstore chain, will continue operations after Barnes & Noble's acquisition, preserving its cultural legacy and modernizing its operations.

Indonesian-Californian café Kopi Bar and Bakery will open this fall at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, offering a menu that complements the museum's exhibits.

E.l.f. Cosmetics faced backlash for an ad featuring Matt Rife, who has joked about domestic violence, leading to a negative public reaction despite the brand's intention to resonate with a young female audience.

The Port of Oakland experienced a decline in container volume in June, attributed to shifts in logistics and trade uncertainties; while year-to-date figures show a minor increase, a significant drop in June suggests market recalibration.

Northern California Safeway workers, led by UFCW Local 5, may strike over wages, healthcare, and retirement benefits, with over 95% in favor amid ongoing contract negotiations.