Casa Oaxaca

I really liked this place — the price tags scream Berkeley/​Albany/​Solano Ave but it was a nice store and I got a pretty good deal on a very unique light-​up niche. I suggest you ignore the written tag and simply inquire on the piece you like, you’ll come out ahead that way. the store worker is a quite pleasant guy.

I got too fat to fit the blue embroidered dress that hangs in my closet. So, I decided I was going to spend the summer in a white embroidered dress… the research began.
There used to be a ton of these types of stores in the Mission before the affluent infestation. These types of stores attracted hipsters and affluent outsiders into the Mission. They loved these stores and so they decided to move into the Mission because of the «flavor,» but soon homogenized that flavor and soon they will move on. Leaving nothing but restaurants and condos.
I found Corazon del Pueblo (which is near my house) and Casa Oaxaca. I had never been to Albany before, so I didn’t realize it’s basically a community (a tiny and cute community) of Berkeley «types» overflow. I knew the prices were going to be expensive. And that they were.
Casa Oaxaca is a cute and jammed pack store; a technicolour explosion. They have serapes, calacas, tin magnets, embroidered dresses, purses and every other thing you could think of from Mexico. What they don’t have are affordable prices. I’m not going to pretend that I didn’t mind surrendering $ 65 to the viejo who runs this shop. I really minded. But, his embroidered shirts are only $ 30.
Still, it’s worth a trip in checking out. I suppose when the only two stores I could find online in the area that sell the embroidered dresses are in Albany and East Oakland… this is the kind of store people who want to avoid East Oakland should come to. Personally, I’ll deal with East Oakland next time.

You know, I was really excited to come down here and purchase a bunch of folk art or art to decorate my room with. The prices weren’t the problem really. Whenever I enter a small business like this I expect a friendly greeting or like I’ve said once before a smile is priceless.
They actually had a bunch of neat things. I’ve seen these in Mexico before and they sell them for way too much over here. I do appreciate Mexican art since I grew up seeing it done. You will enjoy it a lot of abstract objects and vibrant colors are definitely eye catching.
I was really looking for jewelry that day I didn’t see much that I liked. bummer.

I was in the Bay Area one weekend and needed to bring a gift to a dinner party that evening. I had read the great reviews on Unilocal and decided to check this place out.
When I arrived the owner was preparing to close, but he was very kind and said it was okay if I came in and took a look around. I was impressed with the variety of products: colorful tapestries, elegant jewelry, children’s toys, pottery, gorgeous embroidered clothing to name a few.
The owner is extremely knowledgeable about the items as he is from Oaxaca himself. This was very helpful, and honestly it was a big reason why I decided to buy more than one item. I appreciate it when someone really knows about the products in their store and clearly cares a great deal about their business.
I intended to buy only a planter, but I left with a pair of beautiful silver earrings with coral beads, a colorful hand-​painted ceramic platter, and a wooden hand-​carved and beautifully hand-​painted «alebrije» of a coyote.
This place is not dirt cheap, but that is because the items aren’t cheap and they certainly are NOT cheaply made. I am more than willing to pay for quality. The prices are also not outrageous considering that the owner probably has a lot of overhead since he told me he goes on the buying trips himself to Mexico and picks out all the items and then has to probably pay to have everything shipped back. I also am happy to pay for items that are supporting the artisans in Mexico.
You can definitely find something to fit your budget. There are some bigger ticket items, but there were also smaller priced gifts including smaller pottery items, coin purses, small wall hangings, and simple bracelets; all very beautiful.
I will definitely keep this place in mind for future gifts for friends and family (or myself!). I am a HUGE believer in the importance of customer service and this place definitely exceeded my expectations, which made all the difference.
Best of luck to this business.

I discovered Casa Oaxaca over the holidays while gift-​shopping and was immediately charmed. A family operation, the store was offering delicious empanadas and mole gratis from a little stand outside of the store, cooked by the 93-​year old mother and the sister while the brothers inside the store sold gorgeous Mexican folk art and crafts. Bright, cheerful, and colorful, the store is full of unique gifts like Talavera pottery, tin mirrors, alebrijes, gorgeous and well-​made leather bags and purses, black Oaxacan pottery, terra cotta catrinas and trees of life, jewelry, carpets, and religious art. It’s incredible how much the store offers. I was transported by the food, the hospitality, and the good cheer of this place.

I signed up for Unilocal just to give a ravinbg rewiew of this WONDERFUL and COLORFUL place! They had a booth at the Solano Stroll (where many booths sell different items and advertise) it is a pretty huge thing and is over a mile long full of wonderful things! I have to say out of all the times I have attended the stroll this is still one my FAVORITE places to shop at! It has everything you can think of from Mexico many if not all of the items are hand made and so cute.
At the stroll I bought a hand-​made metal magnet of the cutest chili pepper for my aunts bday because she loves chilis. unfortunately i lost it somehow and had to come back to the store so I culd bu the exact same one. The owner was SO KIND AND GENEROUS after I told him the story he showed me exactly which one I was looking for and the BEST PART was that he gave it to me for FREE. was a kind and generous man. I am definately coming back with my family and friends so that we can buy some more trinkets and items from him. If you are looking for a friendly colorful and different store and are tired of the same old same old then come by to Casa Oaxtaca!

Just about anything you could imagine at great prices! Not only can you get a truly unique gift for your loved one but you can meet the fun and interesting owner Guillermo who will go out of his way to make sure you find JUST the right thing.
Don’t get caught giving a boring gift again, make it something memorable and go to Casa Oaxaca!

finally! i’ve been itchin’ to find a store like this since we made the move up here. on our way back from zachary’s pizza (which i will not Unilocal since it must have a bajillion well-​worth-​it reviews) the other night, we passed by, i screamed «stop,» and begged to go in. guillermo was closing shop, but allowed us to step inside. he was a perfect gentleman (and a good businessman), allowing us to browse, answering our questions, and sharing a little bit of this and that from mexico. his shop is gorgeous and full of wonderfully handcrafted pieces from all over mexico. guillermo made sure to point out all of the pieces from michoacan to us when he asked where we were from. he has plenty of artesanias, home décor, clothing, jewelry, and accessories. the prices aren’t that bad either. we had a pleasant chat and walked away with a beautiful lamp and wood-​carved st. jude. un tesoro!

My kid was looking for a little knit pouch that he could wear around his neck that would hold his Tamagotchi (sp). We had started our quest to find one at the Oakland Farmers Market. We found one there but they wanted 20 bucks for it! So i told him to wait… after stopping at 2 or 3 other places without any luck. We were coming down Solano Ave when I spotted this little place brimming with Mexican art and pottery. We went in just to see. Sure enough we found exactly what we were looking for and it was only $ 6! They have clothes, fountains, plates, jewelery, purses and all kinds of odds and ends … like little statuettes and coin bags. It makes you feel like you are in a little boutique some where in Mexico.
The man behind the counter was very friendly.

It’s definitely NOT cheap. But i definitely found the spot i’ll be doing most of my christmas shopping this year! The little old guy that works there is very sweet. I didn’t buy anything, cause i was broke when i went in. But i’ll definitely be back. Lots of hand made stuff by artists in mexico. If you like or know people that like the latin feel for decorating, this is the place to get various things. Can’t wait to go back and buy something!