Our Mission: The Solano Avenue Association is dedicated to promoting and improving the Solano Avenue business district and to building community spirit and identity through events, marketing, and aesthetic enhancement. Founded in 1974, we are a non-profit organization comprised of professionals, restaurateurs, retailers, organizations, and individuals located within one block of Solano Avenue in Albany or Berkeley, and San Pablo Avenue in Albany.
SAA Mission Statement in multiple languages.
The Solano Avenue Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization.
Membership Eligibility: You can become a member of the SAA if you are located within one block of Solano Avenue in Albany or Berkeley, and San Pablo Avenue in Albany.
Membership is FREE for your first year.
You do not have to be an SAA Member to participate in our events on Solano Avenue.
Networking opportunities: We coordinate a first Wednesday of the Month Social Hour hosted at various business locations; an annual mixer in March and MORE.
The Solano Avenue Email Groups: We promote events to our “SAA events” email group. News, public safety warnings and more are sent to our “SAA membership” email group of 400. Make sure that you (and your staff) are receiving our emails.
We are a voice for independently owned (not “small” business): You are not small to us! We perform many behind-the-scenes activities during and including attending Albany and Berkeley Council and Commission meetings. We coordinate with the Albany and Berkeley Police Departments to help maintain a safe environment on the Avenue, synchronize a volunteer trash pick-up and work with the SAA membership to coordinate other functions on Solano Avenue.
The Solano Avenue Gift Card / Scrip Program: We sell over twenty-five thousand dollars worth of gift cards annually. Non-profits get them at ten percent off. They can be used at over 60 locations on Solano Avenue.
– Just a partial list of features that come with SAA Membership
- SAA Annual Program
- SAA Membership List
Our flagship event, the Solano Avenue Stroll serves as host to 100,000 (plus) locals and out-of-towners every second Sunday in September. No other form of advertising can guarantee to bring this many people across your doorstep. Your SAA membership, and investment into the Solano Avenue Stroll – gives you the unique promotional opportunity and community connection that the Solano Avenue Stroll represents.
Solano Avenue Association Board of Directors
We meet on the second and fourth Tuesday’s of the month at 8:30 am
The Solano Avenue Association is composed of approximately 200 members and 11 (average) volunteer Directors. We have three paid positions: a full-time Executive Director and two part-time staff members. Contact us to request an agenda or for copies of meeting minutes; or if you would like an email forwarded to the current Board of Directors. We are always looking for people willing to participate.
We meet at the Church on the Corner, 1319 Solano Avenue in Albany. RSVP is preferred (because of the locked front door) however not required.
Zoom link for SAA meetings
- Allen Cain, Executive Director
- Karen Nierlich, Social Media
Solano Avenue Business Improvement District – Berkeley
The Solano Avenue Business Improvement District Advisory Board meets often. These meetings are open to the public, and they welcome all Solano Avenue merchants to attend.
SAA Board of Directors 2023/2024
President – Jason Bellevue, RAF Investment Services, Inc.
Vice President – Tod Abbott, Full Orbit Web and Marketing
Secretary – Peggy Smith, Peggy Smith Agency
Alex Pansino, Pink Water Studios
Alexander Omi, Domino’s Pizza
Jennifer Hansen-Romero, Winkler Real Estate Group (Emeritus)
Richard Smith, Allstate Insurance
Robert Abrams, Abrams Claghorn Gallery
Since 2007, Jason has served as Vice President of the SAA Board of Directors. As the owner of RAF Investment Services / RAF Mortgage since 2001, Jason continues the RAF tradition started in 1984 by Berkeley broker Richard Fishman, whose offices were a mainstay on Solano Avenue until 2008. RAF Investment Services, now based in Pinole, offers residential, commercial and business financing services as well as Real Estate and Property management. RAF Investment Services takes pride in the fact that they help people make the biggest investment of their lives and looks forward to doing so for another 37 years. A native of Maine, Jason arrived in the Bay Area in 1998 as a software engineer working in the banking industry. Proud parent of two children, he lives in Berkeley and San Marcos with his dogs, and supports his community as a board member for a number of organizations.
Full Orbit Web & Marketing, Inc.
Raven Fox Capes and Cloaks
Tod has been developing websites for more than 25 years. With a background working in and helping local business, he understands what it takes to create an effective website for the retailer, service, or restaurant that wants to get the most out of their marketing. He and his wife have also begun a business designing and selling costume cloaks. Tod grew up in Walnut Creek, graduated from Cal, and holds a Masters in Philosophy from Northwestern University in Chicago. An inveterate volunteer, Tod also serves on the Boards of the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Albany Community Foundation, and as a Albany Parks Recreation and Open Space Commissioner and and served as an Economic Development Committee Member. Tod lives in Albany with his wife and two kids (when they're around), and loves pets, science fiction/fantasy, cooking, and the Alfa Romeo he is (very) slowly restoring.
Peggy Smith Agency
Richard and Peggy opened their first Allstate Agency in El Sobrante in 2007. In August of 2014, Peggy opened an office on Solano. Richard grew up in the area and graduated from Albany High School. Both of their daughters also graduated from Albany High. Longtime SAA board members, they take great pride in promoting businesses on Solano.
Richard and Peggy opened their first Allstate Agency in El Sobrante in 2007. In August of 2014, Peggy opened an office on Solano. Richard grew up in the area and graduated from Albany High School. Both of their daughters also graduated from Albany High. Longtime SAA board members, they take great pride in promoting businesses on Solano.
A lifelong resident of the East Bay, Robert loves his work as owner and curator of his namesake gallery. Along with 40 years of retail experience, Robert has an MFA in Sculpture and an undergraduate degree in psychology from Cal. Robert brings a wealth of personal and artistic experience to Solano Avenue. He is also a partial owner of the Potter’s Studio in Berkeley and Mudworks Pottery in El Cerrito. Robert has been an art instructor at Laney College and at the Mill Valley Potter’s studio.
Board of Directors roster from 2005 through today
Legacy Directors
Thank you to the following people who have made a monumental contribution to the Solano Avenue Association.
Carl Brodsky (Tile Shop); Dolly Walker (Walker’s Pie Shop); Emmett Eiland (Oriental Rug Dealer); Henry Accornero (Oaks Jewelers and the T.O.M.A.); Ira Klein (Iris); Kathy Lee (Lee Graphics); Lee Brown (Northern CA Savings / where Mechanics (1801) is); Lisa Burnham (Thousand Oaks Merchant Association); Robert Cheasty (Cheasty and Cheasty); Rosemary Burns (Northumbrian Antiques) and last but certainly not least Sue Johnson (Sue Johnson Lamps). THANK YOU all.
Brief History of the Solano Avenue Stroll (PDF)
SAA Annual Newsletters (as printed):
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2023 Board of Directors (partial) left to right: Hector Botello; Jason Bellevue; Tod Abbott; Tom Taylor; Allen Cain; Richard Smith; Peggy Smith