Modern Mouse

Alameda, United States

4.5

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 510-814-8830
Website:
www.modernmousegifts.com
Address:
2223 S Shore Ctr, Alameda, CA, 94501
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.6 miLine OX TransBay
0.6 miTerminal Line O Transbay
1.2 mi51A South
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Apple Pay
No
Parking
Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Dogs Allowed
Yes
By Appointment Only
No

Today

Today 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Local time (Alameda) –

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Modern Mouse is home to an eclectic collection of fun, stylish and unique wares made by local and independent designers. Home & living accessories, fashion accessories, apparel and special occasion gifts… drop on by, and you’ll find something for just about everyone!

History

Established in 2009.

Modern Mouse was launched in late 2009 by handbag and accessories maker Eleen Hsu Agustin, an Alameda resident and owner of a self-​titled online business selling her own handmade goods at eleen​.etsy​.com and in local, juried craft fairs such as Bazaar Bizarre, Renegade Craft Fair and Indie Sacramento.

Finding such enjoyment not only shopping in such craft fairs but also from the community and camaraderie of selling alongside fellow crafters, Eleen decided to create a retail space where she could capture the spirit of this environment and offer it to the public in a permanent space.

Our mission at Modern Mouse is to provide a place for shoppers to discover a fresh and exciting collection of locally and independently designed goodness, and to promote the work of talented designers in a productive and nurturing venue.

We invite you to please stop by and see it for yourself!

Meet the Business Owner

Eleen H.

Business Owner

Modern Mouse owner Eleen Hsu is an Alameda resident who runs a self-​titled online business that sells handmade bags, pouches and pillows on Etsy and in local Bay Area craft fairs.

Prior to pursuing her creative enterprise, Eleen spent 13 years in the field of professional services. After graduating from UC Berkeley with an undergraduate degree in Business Administration, she started out as a financial auditor and information systems consultant with Ernst and Young LLP. In 2000, Eleen moved into the internet industry, where she spent the next ten years in project management. In that role, she led cross-​functional teams of designers, developers and testers in full-​scale web development projects as well as web marketing and design initiatives for clients like Orbitz, Screen Actors Guild, Toyota and Häagen-​Dazs.

Eleen feels lucky to live in the city of Alameda with her wonderful and supportive, super-​star husband Jimmy Agustin, from whom she got the nickname «Mouse».

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20 reviews of Modern Mouse

No registration required
Place rating: 3
Alameda, CA
Amazing items for sale!!! Love the local pride. Except for the girl at the cashier desk. She kept her concentration on the computer monitor and never once said hello or if we had any questions. And as we finished are window shopping she didn’t even appear to say goodbye or thanks for stopping in. So I took it upon myself to say goodbye. Which she just looked at us and waved. Like WOW! If I was working there I would show more appreciation to the customers that walk through that door.
Place rating: 5
San Leandro, CA
I just ordered some gifts online to pick up in the store. Matt was sure helpful & verified that they had all the items currently available. Super satisfied with the service & selection: D Thank you!
Place rating: 4
Union City, CA
Modern Mouse is pretty store. There is lots of artwork and little knick-​nacks. Everything in the store is locally made. They sell some clothing, but its gear towards hipster/​bikers, but also pretty cool. If you are looking for gifts for a friend or want to have a cool décor, this is the place for it.
Place rating: 4
Fremont, CA
Such a fun shop carrying locally made products. I enjoy stopping by when I’m in the area to see what is new. Lovely little store sharing the East Bay love :) A little pricey, but cool products.
Place rating: 5
Concord, CA
I love this place! They have tons of great gifts and the staff is super friendly. I did almost all of my Christmas shopping here last year and came in UNDER budget so I even bought myself something fun.
It’s all local artists who make everything from clothes and jewelry to greeting cards and soaps.
So much too see you will defiantly need multiple trips. Kelly was super helpful and helped me pick things out for everyone on my list. She even wrapped all of my items and put individual labels on them for me!!! Very impressive service and high quality products that won’t break he bank yet support the community! I’m sold!
Place rating: 5
East Bay, CA
Well this is it… the 100th review. It’s taken awhile for me to choose a place to review for this milestone but I have finally decided on one of my favorite local gift and accessories store — Modern Mouse in Alameda!
Tucked away in the South Shore shopping center, you will be amazed at all the crafty and unique items for sale from local artists. I could probably spend hours here just browsing around. I have very rarely walked out without buying something. I have spent WAAAY too much $$$ at this store haha. Staff are very friendly and knowledgable — kudos to the owner for hiring awesome people!
A great spot to find gifts for all occasions… definitely something for everyone. As other Unilocalers have mentioned, it really is like an ETSY but in person but instead of online. You pay for quality and very unique items! I also LOVE that it features a lot of local artists because you will find cool items that that exclusive to the Bay Area. Bay Area represent: D :D
Some of my FAVORITE artists include Delivering Happiness, Dinky Dimples, Le Petit Elefant, and Everyday Love Art.
They periodically have Sunday Crafternoons where you can learn to make something. You just pay a nominal amount for supplies and you’re in for a couple hours of fun! Sometimes the Crafternoons are for a good cause which is awesome.
Sign up for their email list so you can stay up to date on new artists/​sales, etc. They are on social media too. Also, they have a frequent shopper card reward program. I believe it’s 10% off after you accumulate 10 reward points. They also will happily wrap up gifts for you in their signature blue & green tissue paper inside a brown bag/​box with their cute logo stickers.
When this store first opened years ago, I thought it was super cute but wasn’t sure if it would last as many small businesses in South Shore (Alameda in general) seem to come and go. Modern Mouse is still standing strong and definitely have gained many loyal customers (including me!) I have a feeling Modern Mouse is here to stay on the island for years to come :]
Shop small and support local business!
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Love love LOVE this place and how it supports local and national artists, handmade crafts, etc! Lots of really cool art and unique gifts here! I was also really stoked to see they carry Phil Barbato’s stuff. He’s from my Homestate of Virginia and I am familiar with his creations!
As a fellow crafter, I highly recommend shopping here and supporting fellow artists/​crafters! Who knows what kind of treasures you will find!
Place rating: 5
El Cerrito, CA
Reason for visit: Christmas shopping and crafternoon
Visit date: December 14, 2014
First time? No.
Modern Mouse, you are so fun! As a lover of crafts and all things handmade and local, Modern Mouse is literally a one stop shop for me. They have a monthly Crafternoon, where for $ 5 – 10 you can learn to make an awesome handmade item, e.g. a snow globe or a felt garland. Their Crafternoons are a popular event and appropriate for all age groups.
The store itself houses handmade goods from all of your favorite Bay Area artisans, and more! On this particular visit I was looking for a gift item for my nephew who loves all things Lego, but since I can’t keep up with his collection, I wanted a toy or activity that could be just as fun. Modern Mouse carries these paper, origami-​like action figures — perfect for my Lego-​fanatic nephew! Among other awesomeness they carry are art prints, greeting cards, hair accessories, jewelry, and Alameda gear!
The staff is always friendly and welcoming, and they have gift wrap, too!
Place rating: 5
Pleasanton, CA
What a fun place! I love the eclectic variety of items here. It’s great they support local artists. This is an excellent shop to find unique gift items and little special treats for yourself. It’s a treasure.
Place rating: 3
Alameda, CA
Cute little store with postcards, posters, scarfs, decorations, designers T-​shirts, books, paintings and other creative goods. Not very impressive but not bad.
Located at south shore shopping center. surrounded by many stores and supermarkets.
Place rating: 4
Arlington, VA
Really fun and cute locally made art, cards, and shirts. Great for browsing if you’re in south shore or go there purposefully for nice cards, t shirts or hardware.
I got a print by a local artist that’s going on my wall.
Place rating: 4
Alameda, CA
It’s a cute store with really cool merchandise. Today I found the cutest unicorn necklace for my niece. The woman at the register was helpful when I asked if I could take a picture of the necklace so I could get my sister’s opinion on the necklace since there were so many other ones I thought my niece would also like. She also gift-​wrapped my purchase for me. The only thing I noticed was that the person who paid before me was offered to be a part of their rewards program, but I wasn’t. Not cool, Modern Mouse. Not cool.
Place rating: 5
Alameda, CA
I love this place! Products from local artists — all super cute, unique, and mostly Bay Area inspired. I wanted many items for myself, but resisted and bought a couple gifts for friends. Prices are very reasonable and they has a frequent buyer program! I definitely will be back, so I signed up!
Place rating: 4
Alameda, CA
I remember when Modern Mouse opened up several years ago in Alameda’s South Shore Center (then the Alameda Towne Centre). I loved coming in and browsing what new, crafty goods that had come in. Over the years, it’s been wonderful seeing their shop flourish. They moved into a larger space across the walkway and they now have crafting workshops pretty often. I’ve yet to go to one of them, but would love to one of these days.
You never know what new products they’ll get in, from cute knitted hats to iPad cases that look like monster faces. Looking forward to coming back to see what new goodies they’ve stocked their shelves with!
Place rating: 4
Alameda, CA
A wonderful local shop that sells wonderful, locally-​made items!
Whenever I need a thoughtful, unique gift for someone I head straight to Modern Mouse. I know when I purchase a gift for someone there it will be well-​made and different. I especially love the jewelry selection and the greeting cards!
Bonus that they have a little kids’ play area so parents can shop for a bit while the kids are entertained.
Prices can be a bit on the steep side.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
This place has great stuff! I love how everything is so unique and most things are locally made, so you know you’re supporting local people and local businesses. It’s also nice to know a lot of the clothes are made here in the US, which means they’re strict about labor laws, which means you know they’re not using forced labor.
I’m fond of their Crafternoon for a Cause, as it shows how community can give back to community via crafting.
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
Want to shop locally? Here’s one place where you can. It’s a cute boutique that’s a great place to buy gifts or items for yourself. It’s also a fun place to browse. I found out about it through one of my former co-​workers.
They carry items from local artists & designers (mostly, I think there are a few here & there from out of state), such as men’s & women’s clothing, accessories (hair accessories, scarves, belt buckles, ties, cufflinks, wallets, purses, bags), children’s & baby’s clothing, jewelry (I’m really not a fine jewelry type of person; this is more my speed, or rhinestone-​y type of jewelry), paper goods & stationery, art & home décor, & soaps. There’s also locally themed shirts & magnets so that you can show your love for your city.
Nope, no mass produced, made in China items here!
Hint hint for anyone who needs to buy me a gift… I like the jewelry here & the bicycle gear clocks.
Located in the Alameda South Shore Center in the middle corridor near the frog fountain behind Safeway.
Place rating: 5
Portland, OR
This store is a real gem in the East Bay. They only carry products that are made locally.
Proud of the East Bay? Proud to be from _​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​ (Insert city here)? If you need a product to represent your town, this is the perfect place. There are baby onsies, T-​shirts, magnets and key chains!
They also carry other cute locally made products, like bow ties, jewelry, greeting cards and wallets.
I make a point to stop by whenever I’m back in town and always manage to get a gift for someone or reward myself with something. Sure, the prices may be higher than something you’ll get at Target, but you’re supporting local artists.
Place rating: 5
Los Angeles, CA
If I had the money, I would buy up this entire store.
Enough said.
Place rating: 5
Cupertino, CA
It’s a fun store to walk around. You can see a lot of artist’s cute work. A little pricey, but I guess that’s the cost of non-​massively produced items.
Take a look!