Posts Tagged ‘small business’
Soul food restaurants spice up Oakland’s vegan culinary landscape
Vegan soul restaurants are thriving and bringing diversity to the Bay Area’s food scene, challenging the misconception that vegan food is boring.
Read MoreBicycle shops in the county are closing for business
Local bicycle shops are dying off in the East Bay. In the last two months, five of them have closed their doors in Alameda County. One of them is Oakland’s Manifesto Bicycles. Owners Sam Cunningham and Mackay Gibbs explain how a decline in bicycle commuting and competition from online retailers affected their business and led…
Read MoreOakland’s first Real Black Friday promotes black-owned businesses
On November 17 in downtown Oakland, the city’s first Real Black Friday was hosted by BetterBlack.
Read MoreCommercial kitchens in Oakland serve as incubators for food start-ups
Within an increasingly competitive food scene, entrepreneurs need affordable space to test their ideas and the market. Commercial kitchens are becoming more like business incubators, hosting pop-up events and opening cafes or “snack bars” where entrepreneurs can try out the retail market.
Read MoreCity develops study of race and gender disparities in government contracting
Small business owners speak out about their efforts in obtaining government contracts in the council chambers at the Oakland City Hall. The city government was holding an event to discuss a new government study on race and gender disparities that evaluates the government’s contracting with small, minority-owned businesses.
Read MoreProposed $2 cigarette tax sparks fear of sale of “loosies”
Corner stores in Oakland worry about the effects of Proposition 56.
Read MoreCommunity members and leaders discuss future of Oakland at Impact Hub
Community members and leaders gathered at Impact Hub Oakland Tuesday night for a discussion about the future of Oakland and the idea of cultural prosperity. The event is a part of Co-Creating the Future of Our Cities, a week-long Impact Hub series in 15 cities across the country that began on September 26.
Read MoreAt “Fiber Florist,” a local artist creates everlasting bouquets
In the window display of Vivian Truong’s studio there are rose petals as soft as a newborn’s hair, tulips as vibrantly colored as wild birds, and daffodils as bright as the early morning sun. It may appear that Truong has finally found the trick for keeping fresh-cut plants alive longer than a week. But a closer look reveals that these flowers are actually carefully handcrafted out of felt and fabric—Truong is a “fiber florist.”
Read More“Steep Jeep” is bringing a modern take on tea
Revamping an ice cream truck into a mobile tea business is just one part of Molly Gaylord and Karina Vlastnik’s vision for Steep Tea Company, based in West Oakland. They are renovating the “Steep Jeep,” a 1967 Jeep named Belle, so they can use it to serve hot tea, iced tea, tea lattes, tea soda,…
Read MoreOakland florist celebrates Valentine’s Day with business anniversary
Mike Saidi has never received flowers from his wife on Valentine’s Day, but he would not mind it if he did. After all, Valentine’s Day is his favorite holiday and flowers are his favorite plants. “I get very excited about the holiday,” he said. “Every minute of it counts to do things and do it…
Read MoreIn Oakland, Facebook woos small businesses
Since 2011, Facebook has put on over 130 events like this one aimed at small businesses. This fall alone, the Boost show has played in Los Angeles, San Jose, Queens, Tacoma and Tucson.
Read MoreCity celebrates new Kiva Zip-funded local businesses
The Authentic Bagel Company was one of 12 Oakland-bred businesses honored last week at a party for a special program that helps entrepreneurs gather zero-interest startup funds through online crowd-funding. Other entrepreneurs at the party have founded businesses that provide art and gallery space, small-batch kombucha, handmade corn chips, vintage clothes and ethically sourced chocolate.
Read MoreLocal distilleries toast new law allowing charging for spirit tastings
This holiday season, local high-end spirit makers are rejoicing over the end of a Prohibition-era law. Starting in January, California distilleries will be able to charge for tastings like wineries and breweries currently can.
Read MoreAfter more than 50 years, Sarber’s Cameras will shutter the shop
From his dark, cramped second floor office, David Sarber looks out a narrow window to the sales floor below, surveying the final days of the business his family has run for some 50 years. A large sign outside reads: “LIQUIDATION SALE Everything Must Go.” After opening in 1961 and coming to Montclair Village in Oakland in 1964, Sarber’s Cameras will close up shop at the end of January.
Read MoreOaktown Spice Shop sells spices for holidays, all seasons
The Oaktown Spice Shop, at 530 Grand Avenue across from Lake Merritt, is gearing up for Thanksgiving with holiday spice blends and gift boxes…
Read MoreAt Tech Liminal, digital workers find a place to connect
Tech Liminal in downtown Oakland bills itself as a tech “hotspot and salon.” It’s a shared office space for professionals who work at home and a DIY workshop for office workers. Tech Liminal is one of two “coworking” spaces in Oakland registered in the Coworking Wiki, a world directory of these alternative offices.
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