Berkeley Bowl is an independent grocery store in Berkeley, California.[1] Founded by Glenn and Diane Yasuda,[2] it sells organic and natural products and is known for its extensive produce section. In 2008, the Los Angeles Times wrote that it was "[Berkeley]'s most popular grocery store" and "one of the nation's most renowned retailers of exotic fruits and vegetables."[3] It has two locations in the city.
The business name is a reference to the former bowling alley that became the store's first location.[1]
History
In 1977, Glenn and Diane Yasuda opened a small neighborhood market in a converted building that formerly housed a bowling alley at 2777 Shattuck Avenue.[4][5] At the time, Glenn was teaching business education at a local college. By the late 1990s, the business had outgrown the building, and in 1999 it moved renovated and moved to a former Safeway supermarket, at 2020 Oregon Street.[6]
In 2002, labor organizers pushed to unionize the store's 250 employees. In 2004, but after a series of disputes, the National Labor Relations Board accused the company of "pervasive and serious" labor issues that prevented a fair election.[6][7] The company reached a settlement that year, recognizing the United Food and Commercial Workers as representatives of Berkeley Bowl workers, and paying but not reinstating two employees who claimed that they were unfairly fired.[7]
In 2008, John Glionna, a staff writer for the Los Angeles Times, wrote an article with some negative comments about the store. [8] In response, Glionna was banned for life from the business.[9][10]
In 2009, the business opened a second location, Berkeley Bowl West. In 2010, the union was decertified after an employee vote.[11]
In 2020, Glenn Yasuda died at the age of 85.[12] Yasuda’s son, Gen, took over the running of the two stores in Berkeley.[10]
