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.
Click the button to instantly get a membership application and dues schedule — it will download and automatically open (pdf):
Annual events and benefits of membership in the SAA: SAA Annual program pdf
Get notified of Albany and Berkeley events on Solano Avenue -- just add yourself to our "Events" email group. Please follow this link:
Are you interested in opening or moving a business to Solano Avenue? We offer a list of vacancies and approximate rents on the Avenue. Please call or email us for more information. Solano Avenue is a wonderful place to have a business.
Twice a month the SAA produces an "E News Letter" putting people in touch with what is happening on Solano Avenue. We keep you posted on who is coming and going, current events, crime alerts, and much more. This electronic method is a great way of keeping track of the Avenue while being environmentally conscious, and sending out a physical newsletter only annually.
Please have your email address added to our E News Letter subscription list by sending us an email: - Solano Avenue Merchants only.
The association dues are a bargain, on average just $135.00. What does $135 get you these days? A "one time" business-card-size advertisement in a local newspaper?
Just to be included in the SAA directory, which is strategically distributed - and delivered by-hand to everyone within one block of Solano is a bargain! Not to mention getting a free both at the Solano Avenue Stroll which serves as host to 300,000 locals and out-of-towners every second Sunday in September. No other form of advertising can guarantee to bring this many people to your doorstep.
Your SAA membership, and investment into the Solano Avenue Stroll also gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you have made it possible for many community organizations, most of whom are non-profit - to be a part of the Solano Avenue Stroll. Most of these organizations rely on it for fundraising and the unique promotional opportunity that the Solano Avenue Stroll represents.
The Solano Avenue Association is composed of approximately 300 members, 15 board of directors who are volunteers, and one paid consultant, the Executive Director. The Executive Director is also the Event Producer/Manager. Additional staff and volunteers are under the direction of the Executive Director.
The Solano Avenue Association Board of Directors meets on the second and fourth Tuesday morning(s) of the month. Near event dates, we meet weekly. We typically meet at the Mechanics Bank - Albany Branch who is kind enough to host us. 801 San Pablo Avenue at Washington, 8:15 am. You can request an agenda by email, or contact us 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.
President - Harry Pruyn, Solano Cleaning Center
Vice President - Sang L. Rowand, Farmers Insurance, Albany
Secretary - Janet Snidow, The Mane Alley [Salon]
Treasurer - Jason Alabanza, Mechanics Bank Albany
Immediate Past President - Robert Cheasty, Attorney
Ken Ancell, Ancell Financial Advisors
Raymond H. Anderson, RH Anderson and Company
Jason Bellevue, RAF Investments
Bebe Bertolet, Six Degrees
on Solano
John Cowee, Architectural Concepts
Alaina Palega, Solano Kids
Debbie Perkins-Kalama, KNA Copy Centre
Memo Robles, Casa Oaxaca
Tom Taylor, Art Thou Graphics
Allen Cain, Executive Director and Events Manager (As of 11.2006)
Our Previous Executive Director was Lisa Bullwinkel of Berkeley, California
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005
Make sure we have your email and web address for a free web link on the SAA site to your website.
How about linking your website to SAA, too? Just copy and paste this into your webpage:
<a href="http://www.solanoavenueassn.org">www.solanoavenueassn.org</a>