Join us as we sample the shopping in the suburbs and select a few favorite things from shops throughout the East Bay area. This month. it’s Barrington. Sure, ifs a nice place to live, but a shopping mecca ? Times have changed!

Shopping is not the first thing that comes to mind when people think about Barrington. but this scenic little spot, rimmed by country club, yacht club, bays and rivers has become a proverbial retail Cinderella. The recent construction of a new tree-lined main Street. handsome stonewalls, street lamps with flower baskets, and a shopping center makeover have transformed this village into a promising shopping spot, attracting retailers with names we know, and some more Soho than suburbia. [...]

A former gas station has no right to absolutely ooze good taste, so you'll be pleasantly surprised by this one just up Maple Avenue on the left. With natural wood French doors replacing the car bays, Grasmere drips with charm inside and out. Stay away, though. if your weakness is English floral arrangements, real or faux, your container or theirs, and floral and vintage accessories that life wou1d not be worth living without

You could be in serious trouble. Owners Beth and Peter Gresch have amassed collections that are worth a bit of lingering over, and feature one of the largest art and industrial pottery collections in the county. A source of passion and pride for Peter. A member of the American Art Pottery Association, Peter collects both European and American pottery from the 1900-1940 period and has more than 200 pieces, with such notable names as Rookwood, Roseville and Van Briggle, for sale at $ 60. to $ 6OO.