Uplifting creative neighbors with Ada Duong
Creator of Golden Hour
Named after the stunning sunsets visible from the San Francisco East Bay shoreline and hills, Golden Hour is an oasis of handmade goods, community fun, and sustainable living on the winsome and lively Solano Avenue in Albany, CA. Once a vacant lot starring 1950’s popcorn ceiling and coarse cement floors, this storefront has since been transformed into an enchanting space showcasing natural materials and hand-selected ceramic, textile, and home goods.
The maker of this retail and gathering space is Ada Duong, a Bay Area native with a knack for fashioning unique projects in life and work.
As I spot her at Hal’s Office Coffee shop where we arranged to meet on a Thursday morning, she greets me with a kind smile and immediately offers to buy my order. When I refuse, she jokes that I won’t be allowed in her store if I don’t let her cover the tea. For the next hour, she is just as generous with her time and thoughtful recollections upon her life and business endeavors.
Ada’s pivot into the role of a small-business owner came decades after a career in banking - almost cathartically. As she departed her prior position, she realized that time in life was of the essence. She asked herself, “what do I want to spend my time doing?”
So, after moving to the East Bay from San Francisco and falling in love with the Solano Ave community, she zeroed in on an exciting project: turning 1250 Solano Ave into a space to share decor, clothing, and hand-crafted items she herself would desire in her own home. When asked how she approached renovating the abandoned spot into its current form, she remarked that “I thrive in opportunities to design [places] exactly as I like.” And that she did.
“I thrive in opportunities to design [places] exactly as I like.”
Before long, locals and visitors to the area flocked to her street corner. After browsing the shop, they often asked for the Golden Hour website. “I don’t have an online presence right now,” Ada would reply. The inquiries persisted, so she eventually gave in to the idea; she learned web design and crafted a landing page that simply directed individuals to Golden Hour’s physical location.
As her visitor base grew, other requests came in: “Do you have an online store?” “Have you considered hosting pop-up events?” And just like this, Golden Hour grew from a retail space to a collective one. Ada now runs an exciting online store that has made her a regular at the local post office, and she also curates an impressive rolodex of pop-up vendors who are featured at her store on a weekly basis.
It is apparent that Ada’s fellow creators and shoppers not only love the store, but are drawn to Ada herself. Baker Tina Lee of Big Boi Mochi can’t say enough about the store’s charm, Ada’s friendly demeanor, and the amazing line-up of local collaborations one can expect at the store. As a featured pop-up vendor at Golden Hour, Tina is very appreciative of Ada “providing a space for small businesses to meet customers face-to-face.”
“[Ada provides] a space for small businesses to meet customers face-to-face.”
So, what’s next? Ada is focused on nurturing her community - from her cherished family unit to the lively Bay Area creator space. She’s not thinking as much upwards (with business plans and competitive advantages) as much as outwards (to connect and cultivate camaraderie). Ian Birnam, the founder of an Albany-based gym called IBX, describes Golden Hour as “a phenomenal hub for our community” where Ada “is always providing [others] a space to share their creations.”
Presently, Ada is not thinking too much about the next step for Golden Hour. “I’m just enjoying creating this space, and helping others create,” she says with a smile. In other words, she is relishing spending her time exactly as it is meant.
Ada, your community thanks you for all the magic and beauty you orchestrate. We can’t wait for all you have in store!
Pop into Golden Hour the next time you’re in the San Francisco East Bay. Happy community building!