Exclusive Buttons

Didn’t look like much when I first walked in… but then we dug in. SO MUCH GOODNESS. Just poke around, you’ll find whatever you need, and probably a few buttons you didn’t realize you needed.
(Edit: Also, I think her stereo is psychic. Just noticed another review mentioned they were playing Black Sabbath when they came in; for us, it went straight from Beyonce to Enya to Duran Duran. Awesome.)

This small one of a kind shop could easily be considered a destination for a day trip. There are so many different buttons that it would be easy to spend quite a bit of time browsing the racks and drawers. The antique buttons are amazing too.
This shop almost makes me want to pickup needles and thread and change or add buttons to my clothes.

I spotted this little store while driving down San Pablo one day. I popped a U-​turn and went back to take a peek inside. I had been planning a trip over to SF to search for some unique buttons to freshen the look of some older suits and blouses.
This place is a great find. It’s like going on a treasure hunt, there is just so much to choose from. The prices run from one extreme to the other, but I’m pretty sure you can find something wonderful to fit whatever your budget is.
This is one of those destination stores, it’s worth the drive from anywhere in the Bay Area. Definitely recommend.

With the number of fabric shops closing in the Bay Area and the remaining ones catering to crafts and not garment sewing this shop is a real blessing.
After her husband Vince died Mary wanted to pass the business on to her son but he wasn’t interested. A loyal legion of customers begged Mary to stay open and she has managed to keep the place going, if only one day a week.
The shop is stocked with card buttons as well as buttons made from every material imaginable. The prices are reasonable for the most part and climb to pricey for the specialty items.
The shop is only open on Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for the hours call and listen to the pre-​recorded message. 510 223‑1442
Be sure to thank Mary for keeping the shop running. Like her husband Vince, she and Exclusive Buttons are a real treasure.

What a wonderful place! It’s really a mini-​museum of buttons, where everything is for sale. This store puts every fabric store I’ve ever been to to shame, with such a huge selection of nice-​quality buttons, many of them very old stock, and some of them so nice you will reuse them once the clothes they’re on wear out. Despite being really picky, I not only found what I needed for a couple of garments, but I bought extra buttons that I hope to find an excuse to use because I just loved them. Beautiful buttons! I am so happy whenever I find a place like this, that really, truly, specializes in something and does such a great job of it.

Thanks to my daughter who wrote this review.
This place is AMAZING!
There are so many cool buttons here in every shape and size, there are different drawers for each material/​color of buttons.
The owners are very nice and will help you along your way to find the buttons you’re looking for.
It will lead to lots of, «Oh wow, come look over here this is so cool!»
«No you come here, wait no over here!»
On the walls they have newspaper articles all about the store and how it began.
Pros: Good, free parking; Great customer service; Fair prices; Great for wasting free time. LOTS of buttons!
Cons: Small-​ish space.

Need buttons? Or perhaps just want to open up drawers and look at the many treasures/​buttons?! This place rocks. Unique plastic buttons (in just about any color), gorgeous Czech glass buttons (that change colors depending on the light), mirror buttons, metal buttons, military buttons, shell and bone and wood buttons, on and on and on… I wish I lived in El Cerrito because then I could go here every Friday and Saturday and listen to Mary’s stories, all the while discovering more of the awesome buttons here!!!
FYI: I think this place is cash only ;)

One word: BUTTONS!
Round Buttons, check.
Square Buttons, check.
Metal Buttons, check.
Plastic Buttons, check.
Norwegian Yak Bone Buttons, I have no idea, but probably, check!
I would give this place 6 stars if I could, and here is why: when it comes to what they do (buttons, in case you were wondering), they are experts! Every time we go in there and see Mary, we are constantly stunned and amazed at her sheer volume of information and history about buttons. I really appreciate knowing that there are still places like this out there — a place where not only understand their product but enjoy sharing their passion in it. The store is small (dare I say, «cute as a button!») and open limited hours (currently only on the weekends), but if ever I have a button-​related need, to Mary I go! I mean, their name says it all: Exclusive Buttons! Button costs vary as much as the selection. There are curio cabinets everywhere with nearly infinite small drawers, each holding an array of colorful and impressive buttons. For your arts, crafts, and perhaps just to replace a missing button, I can truly not imagine a better, more knowledgeable and friendly place.
And don’t forget, after you spend all day browsing (and buying) buttons, Yummy Chinese is just two doors down the street!

A million billion stars are not enough.
I was kind of bummed because I had just bought this awesome Hawaiian shirt from one of the thrift stores on Telegraph, but it was missing a button. Then one of my friends steered me here.
Vic and Mary told me their history, how he came into the button world, had lost their son and showed me all sorts of cool stuff. Finally I whipped out the shirt and without any hesitation, they set me up with some cool abalone cat-​eye buttons for the shirt, that are wayyy better than the originals. They had just enough left, plus a spare. I spent about $ 7 and got a history lesson better than those offered at UCB. Whatta day.
The crazy thing was that they were listening to Black Sabbath on their stereo… Only Dr. Who can transcend space and time better than them.

A Slice of History.
Exclusive Buttons is run by Mary Sortile, whose husband Vince was the one who changed odd jobs over the years, finally landing in the button business. He drove a van around to various local Bay Area stores, restocking on-​the-​spot, where otherwise these stores would have to wait weeks for shipments from far away.
Mary will regale you with the story of Vince’s work and others– how the antique button which they had on display (in a newspaper article posted on the wall) was stolen by two clever people when Vince’s guard was down; how Vince and Mary made their own price cards (which the buttons are tacked onto) on a machine in their home garage; how not only is the back of this tiny store packed with buttons, but the garage is too. What will happen to them all after, Mary wonders aloud. Her children aren’t interested in buttons. Mary is history herself.
The buttons: You can come away with a handful of inexpensive nice buttons, or knock yourself out and spend a lot on Czech glass ones. It is your choice. Until you go there and see the variety, not only hung on revolving metal stands, but in drawers upon drawers, you won’t understand the experience, which is a tactile one too, as you hold each one in your hands, feeling the various designs and shapes.
Mary will help you, showing you what you would miss otherwise if you were just browsing on your own. She says that nothing is plastic, because it wasn’t made yet, at that time. These are made of pre-​plastic materials such as casein (a milk product), cellulose, Bakelite, resin, etc. Other types are glass, wood, metal, etc. The shapes vary, from little balls to oblongs and squares. You may only find two of a kind rather than four or five, but you can pair those with similar ones (same color, same size).
The space is tiny, yet you might want to stay a while browsing. Be prepared to share that space with other shoppers and enjoy the delight of discovery together.
The store closes earlier in winter (3 p.m.) so Mary can drive home while it is still light. The rest of the year it closes around 3:30 or 4:00 pm. It’s wise to call to make sure she’s there.

While I could have easily gone to JoAnne’s up at El Cerrito Plaza for buttons, sometimes I need that little special oomph to make my projects special.
This is the place.
It’s as if someone has been collecting buttons all their lives and decided to let people buy them off her twice a week. The store comfortably allows 2 – 3 people to browse; any more and you’ll either get claustrophobic or will want to wait it out outside.
Sure, maybe people won’t notice the buttons I plan on sewing onto my jackets. And I could have purchased them for a quarter of the price. But there are no plastic buttons in this place. There are shells and crystals and wood and metals. Some have that vintage cast. Some reflect your fabric nicely.
Have cash ready, and come in plenty of time before she closes at her new closing hour of 3:30PM. Keep track of which bin you found your buttons from and note how much any of the loose buttons cost — it will help you and the owner both at the register. You will be spending a good amount of time perusing in addition to finding just that right button for yourself.

Even the drawers where the buttons are kept are wonderful things: old metal and wooden cabinets filled with different kinds of buttons. The owner will show you her favorites and tell you a bit of their history. I will have to go back and buy some of the rarer ones. Not to put on clothes but to use in stitching and beading projects.

So what if you don’t *need* buttons, go visit this shop anyways! Burrow in all the tiny drawers, talk button history with Mary, and spend a couple dollars on buttons. It’s a memorable experience. A shop like this is a trip in a time machine.

This place is lovely! I just spent over an hour browsing and buying buttons. The lady who runs/​owns the place is magnificent. She’s very kind and patient. She was also eager to explain the organization of her store and told me to take as much time as I needed (and boy did I need a lot of time to look at all of the different buttons). She checked in with me periodically to make sure I was finding everything okay. I felt well taken care of.
This place is a blast from the past. I felt as if I had entered a museum of fashion when I entered the shop. It’s not only the buttons that are vintage, the drawers, displays and carpet are also have an old school charm. The buttons even come on the original cards from the 20s-​60s. I was blown away!
I would advice bringing more cash than you think you need, because I definitely reassessed my budget once I realized how magical Exclusive Buttons is.
This place is only open Friday and Saturday, but it’s worth the trek. You have to check this place out! A+

Not that she needs yet another 5 star review, but hey, here it is.
If you want vintage buttons, this is the place to go. Mary is filled with old-​style customer service. She will take all the time you want helping you to find the perfect buttons. In spite of the tiny size, if you want a vintage look, she probably has exactly what you need — she has never failed me yet!
She’s only open on Friday and Saturday, and does not take credit cards, so plan your button buying spree around that

Mary Sortile continues the fine tradition established by her husband Vince in El Cerrito as the store offers the greatest collection of buttons found anywhere. Enjoy the array of amazing buttons and special collections for all types of applications. I discovered Mary’s handmade button bracelets and had to get one for my sister and myself. They are great to wear and wonderful conversation pieces. She crochets the bracelet and brings in various buttons to make an amazing accessory. Only open on Friday and Saturday make time to visit this store and buy buttons for all reasons and seasons at Exclusive Buttons. A short distance from El Cerrito Plaza this store is well worth the trip!

This button store is a real playland for anyone who likes crafts, sewing, «art supplies,» or just browsing super-​interesting collections. The owner is extremely knowledgeable, willing to elucidate on any number of button-​related questions, and readily demonstrates the qualities of certain special buttons. The little shop reeks of «potential craft projects»!

This shop is a gem. I went in looking for buttons to match the yarn I am knitting into a sweater, and the sweet little lady was a tremendous help. She has an incredible eye for color and style and I am so glad I did not have to hunt for the buttons on my own. It was my first visit there and I was stunned by the inventory; any color or style can be found there. She is now also open on Thursdays go by to check it out!

This shop is cute as a button! No seriously, it is small and old and just perfect. The woman (owner) was super helpful today when I was looking for the perfect buttons to use as part of my wedding accessories. There is also a display case with plenty of antique buttons and had I had more time to spend there, I would have chatted up the button lady!
For now, I am happy with my purchase and that I had my check book with me. This place is only open on Friday and Saturdays and take only checks and cash.

If you’re looking for vintage buttons, then you definitely have to make the trip to Exclusive Buttons. This small shop is jam-​packed with nothing but vintage buttons, either on the original cards or loose in drawers. It’s run by a very nice, elderly couple, and they are more than happy to help you find something specific. It’s clear that they have a deep interest in the buttons themselves, repeatedly emphasizing that none of them are plastic and telling little tidbits about their store and the buttons themselves. The store is only open on Fridays and Saturdays, but if you sew or create other items with buttons, I would highly recommend stopping by. It’s really quite a store.