Montclair’s Mountain and Antioch intersection makes the grade! We’re one of the 18 Defining Intersections in Oakland, according to the latest issue of Oakland Magazine. This spot really is our city-center, where you run into everyone just by hanging out.
Our intersection is described as a “crucial crossroads” where the benches are always full. There are a few tips of the hat to yesteryear, including the historic Julia Morgan-designed Hansel and Gretel firehouse down the street. (Speaking of which, we have to decide what to do with that place.)
Sometimes I am concerned that old Montclair is a dowager and not sufficiently hip compared to other Oakland burgs. It’s a reliable, steady-eddy kind of village. It’s very easy to live here. But a destination for others beyond the locals? Not so much.
We earned respect because there is a basic character to the Village that’s grown organically over time. The Village has been settled, period. There’s no super-gentrification and no new stucco overhaul except for the Lucky Supermarket (nee Albertsons) below.
Besides Montclair, three of our nearby neighbors made the grade. I’m not surprised that Rockridge, Piedmont and even little Glenview are included in the intersections – they all are pretty nice alternatives when we want to leave our village for a little dining, movie or what have you.
Anyway, I’m sort of proud of the article because it lists the typical places Montclarions go to eat, shop, exercise and run errands. The simple, walkable village is a dying breed but we still have one. I guess it doesn’t matter that we don’t attract much attention, but this recognition feels right.
Today in Montclair, 94611 
Well one of our problems is too many real estate and title companies. Until those businesses move out the remaining retail spots are too expensive for just starting entrepreneurs to move in to. We at least in our neighborhood La Salle/Bruns/Estates area also have a LOT of empty nesters so that contributes to the “stodginess”. A friend and I have always thought that the village needs a bar, not a bar and grill just a bar with a good patio and some live music.
Montclair Bistro cant be tooo long for this world.
Thanks for including the Montclair Firehouse. Just one clarification is that it wasn’t designed by Julia Morgan, although it is often attributed to this amazing woman. Instead, the building was designed by Eldred E. Edwards, a draftsman in the Oakland Public Works Department.