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Local, Eco-Friendly and Parent-Friendly

- by Renee M. Rutledge, San Francisco Reporter for HelloMetro

Monkey Bars in Alameda is a local gem for parents. After a day of hunting for eco-friendly toys in nearby specialty kid shops like Tot Tank, Toy Safari and Lauren’s Closet, I wished I had visited Monkey Bars first. The selection of environmentally friendly toys, apparel, tote bags, feeding accessories and other gear is easily the biggest and most carefully considered here, even though Monkey Bars is the smallest of the four on the Park Street strip.

Not only that, the attention I received at Monkey Bars was immediate and friendly; the owner herself, mom to a 5-year-old, addressed my questions about the green diaper phenomenon and could relate, based on firsthand experience, to all my concerns about leakage, comfort, convenience and price. Several other patrons who walked in during my visit at Monkey Bars knew owner Heather Reed by name, and this is definitely not a given with other independents. It’s no wonder this place won Best Clothes and Accessories Store in 2010 from Alameda magazine and the Best Shopping for Children’s Gifts on the San Francisco Chronicle’s BayList 2010.

Monkey Bars is currently the only baby bazaar on the beat with a highly sought-after ride – the orbitbaby Stroller Travel System G2, something that turns the daddy’s heads when they see one on the street. The planet-friendly stroller is made with green fabrics, but the real clincher is the base that turns 360 degrees. One-handed, adjustable handlebars and an advanced stroller suspension system aren’t bad either. But be prepared: the fancy name comes with a fancy price, specifically a whopping $900. Monkey Bars, however, keeps mark-ups to a minimum, staying within the realm of the MSRP.

Monkey Bars stands out in terms of having a local touch – find onesies with the word “Alameda,” written across the front, Oaklandish gear, and other goodies like the latest in wooden toys and plush dolls, and other fun stuff, for kids and their parents, too.

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