The 80 small businesses that dot Lark Street are gearing up for Small Business Saturday to kick off the holiday season.

The city of Albany has increased police presence on Lark Street and has plans to add more mental health resources to the area. This comes after the city decided to shut down Cafe Hollywood on

As Small Business Saturday approaches, Albany officials and business leaders are urging residents to support local shops, bars, and restaurants,

Kevin Coleman, co-owner of cannabis shop Hold Up Roll Up, said all the businesses on Lark are still trying to get on their feet after the shutdown. Violence doesn’t help, he said. Coleman was at the shop when the gunshots broke out at Bitchin' Donuts.