After five years, Mulberry’s Home will close on March 31. Owners Chad Olcott and Laura Pochop opened the high-end home accessories store just off Piedmont Ave. in late 2014 in a building that was a former branch of the Oakland Public Library. A store closing sale opens to the public on Monday, Feb. 24.
“I count myself lucky. I had five fabulous years of doing what I love, working with amazing and talented people, traveling the country to discover and buy beautiful things, and sharing design inspiration with the best clients on the planet,” said Olcott in an email to customers and friends. “I’ll miss the vibrant, wonderful community on Piedmont Avenue — Oakland at it’s best!”
Olcott told the Exedra the decision to close wasn’t easy, but he ultimately decided he didn’t enjoy the lifestyle business and he has no plans to continue offering design services. He said he will miss working with his “amazing” store manager and friend, Alison Landon, but that Mulberry’s Home also took too much time away from Mulberry’s Market — the neighborhood store he and Pochop opened in 2007. “I missed it and look forward to getting back into it and being more present there,” he says.
“Mulberry’s Home added such a wonderful dimension to Piedmont Avenue. Chad’s great taste and fun personality made shopping there a pleasure. We will all miss Mulberry’s Home, and can’t wait to see what Chad does next!”
Katie Korotzer, Mulberry’s Home client (and Olcott fan)
