Slide 1 of 13
Style is Like Baseball, Bleacher Critic, Petaluma: Despite the name and displays of classic baseball bats, Bleacher Critic is not a sports shop. A clean vintage aesthetic evokes a quaintness from days gone by; owner Matt Sharkey says the store stocks timeless styles, much in the way clothing in the the 1940s and 1950s “were made in America, made exceptionally well, and not made to follow trends.” He also says, “We happen to think the American story, in general, can be told through the story of baseball over the past 140 years.” (Courtesy photo)
Slide 2 of 13
Accessible, long-lasting and classic are criteria for clothing featured on Bleacher Critic’s racks and shelves. Sharkey, who spent years as a branding consultant for shoe and clothing companies, has taken a deep interest in the fit and function of garments. His hope is that people will buy fewer items but buy “with an intention to quality.” (Courtesy photo)
Slide 3 of 13
Bleacher Critic sells mostly American-made products including Sausalito-based Tellason jeans that are made from denim woven in North Carolina and sewn in San Francisco. They are also one of a few stores in the Bay Area to carry PF Flyer sneakers. Sharkey says he likes his shop to be viewed as a community center or clubhouse. Bleacher Critic has hosted events and fundraisers, as well as game watching parties complete with free pizza. If a game is on and goes past business hours, they don't close the doors. Bleacher Critic, 5 4th St, Petaluma, 707-774-6888, bleachercritic.com (Courtesy photo)
Slide 4 of 13
PF Flyer sneakers at Bleacher Critic in Petaluma. (Courtesy photo)
Slide 5 of 13
Elevated Casual, Kaliber, Santa Rosa: “Men are usually relegated to department stores, which can be very overwhelming and off-putting,” says Sean Kalemberr of Kaliber men’s store in Santa Rosa. The menswear boutique, which Sean co-owns with his brother, Ian, has won Bohemian’s Best for five years in a row. (Courtesy photo)
Slide 6 of 13
The high-end casual styles of Kaliber are offered in a small, easy-to-browse setting, where, Sean Kalember says, “customer service is paramount.” They offer espresso and other drinks to shoppers to create a relaxed atmosphere and can assist with anything from a simple selection to a full wardrobe style overhaul. (Courtesy photo)
Slide 7 of 13
Kaliber carries a number of brands like California-made Groceries Apparel, Citizens of Humanity and n:Philanthropy, which donates 10 percent of proceeds to pediatric cancer causes and animal shelters. Sean Kalember says Kaliber carries products in a wide range of sizes and styles, and their customer service mirrors their clothing: “High-end with a very down home casual, relaxed vibe.” Kaliber, 315 D St, Santa Rosa, 707-528-0182, shopkaliber.com. (Courtesy photo)
Slide 8 of 13
Creating a Vibe, Provisions707, Santa Rosa: “Space is luxury,” says Ross Hunter as he explains the rationale behind the skilled layout decisions at Provisions707, which he and his wife Debra Hunter own. The store features quality men’s and women’s fashion with curiosities interspersed, like display-only stacks of Old World Book encyclopedias and Spy v. Spy books, which are for sale and in constant need of restocking. (Photo by Adrienne Shubin)
Slide 9 of 13
At Provisions707, The Hunters have sought to create a “vibe, not just clothing." The retail space has been home to many events, a comedy night to benefit Face2Face, and auctions for the Humane Society and Girls Scouts. Due to damage to their own home following October's wildfires, the Hunters hosted 25 people for Christmas dinner in the store. Ross says he “likes the concept of engaging people" and says that some customers “hang out for a couple of hours” to shop and tell their stories. (Courtesy photo)
Slide 10 of 13
Provisions707 was originally a men’s store, but finally women customers had their repeated requests answered: contemporary clothing for them. The Johnny Was line of button down, BOHO embroidered shirts are among the stock. Provisions 707, Montgomery Village Shopping Center, 2402 Magowan Dr, Santa Rosa, 707-890-5509, provisions707.com. (Courtesy photo)
Slide 11 of 13
Human 2 Human, Scott Lyall Clothes, Sonoma: “If you don’t treat people the way they should be treated, you’ll never survive,” says Scott Lyall Clothing proprietor Scott Lyall, quoting his mother, Helen Lyall, 88, who owns and works at her own boutique in Napa. He gets emotional when he talks of how his mother inspired his career. Lyall says his Napa and Sonoma stores are customer service driven providing amenities such as overnight alterations or local delivery to home or hotel when needed. He’ll ship items at no charge to anywhere in the U.S. (Courtesy photo)
Slide 12 of 13
Scott Lyall carries hip and high-end clothes, a majority of which is the Robert Graham line, consisting of wearable art in beautifully edgy designs with fine detailing like Swarovski crystal cufflinks, unique prints or embroidered embellishments. Lyall says his store outfits customers ages 18 to 108 and also includes “more reserved styles with some pop” like superb-fitting Alberto pants made in Germany and the Scotch and Soda clothing line out of Amsterdam. (Courtesy photo)
Slide 13 of 13
Recently Scott Lyall, a strong west coat seller of the Robert Graham line, has taken his relationship with the design giant to another level. He’s partnered to create an “H2H” shirt, which will be available exclusively at Scott Lyall beginning early May. Lyall, who says he’s “old school” and has a distaste for technology, was taken by the saying “H2H,” meaning human to human communication. Lyall knows he’s “not changing the world with this message” about technology, but he wants to promote the idea that we should all “put these things down once in a while.” Scott Lyall, 15 East Napa Street, Sonoma, 707-933-8770, scottlyallclothes.com. (Courtesy photo)
