On my tour of Oakland I was trying to find some businesses which were not restaurant related to share with my friends so you can continue to get a flavor of the area within blocks of the central location where many of the condominiums and loft are. I found one interesting shop with these wooden reptiles at the front door. I ventured in and met the owner: a young beautiful woman with her friend. They were chatting away and so gracious. They asked me to even take a picture of their bookstore on the upper level and made me feel at home. So this is a picture of the proprietor and her friend. The business owner is on the right. The store: Not so Common Scents, 515 9th St. Oakland CA 94607 510-238-9700. When in Oakland: show them some love.