Jack London Mayoral Candidates Forum August 15

We’re excited to announce that we’re hosting an Oakland Mayoral Candidates Forum on August 15th, 2022! Candidates for Mayor will be invited to the Jack London district for a discussion and Q&A relevant to our neighborhood.

We hope to hear from candidates committed to meaningful local change, and who understand the economic importance of visitors and tourism in Oakland. We also want to make sure we hear from you - the folks who are already living, working, and visiting Jack London. 

We'll be collecting feedback and questions throughout the summer until the event in August - please fill out the form below with your questions for the candidates. You can share directions you'd like to see Oakland go, areas that need more support, or other things you've had on your mind. 

Interested in attending? Register here. Submit your questions at the form below, and join our newsletter to stay updated! Capacity is limited and educational program participants will be prioritized. Any questions? Email savlan@jacklondonoakland.org.

Jack London Welcomes First Responders

Jack London is now serving first responders!

First responders and local businesses both play an invaluable role in our neighborhoods by maintaining health and safety and operating as key civic, social, and economic anchors.

Through this program, we hope to support both of those groups. For a limited time, food and coffee will be on us for all first responders - MACRO, OFD, OPD, and EMT.

To find out where you can redeem the offer, look for the sticker or QR code on storefronts, or check out the list below.

NIDO’s BackYard

Backyard Burrito - choice of pork carnitas, chicken, veggies (vegan) or carne asada with refried black beans, Mexican rice, guacamole, crema fresca and salsa verde

Home of Chicken and Waffles:

Fried or grilled chicken sandwich with a choice of fries, potato salad or green salad

+ a drink

Sláinte Oakland:

Shepherds Pie - ground lamb, rutabaga & carrots topped with mashed potatoes

OR

Soup of the day with a slice of homemade Irish Soda bread and Kerrygold Irish Butter

+ any soft drink, tea or coffee

Meet Our Mini Grant Winners!

In March, the BID allocated funding to support retailers’ needed physical adaptations, new initiatives such as digital marketing, socially-distanced events, and other pivots in light of continued economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Keep reading to meet all of our amazing grant winners!

Souley Vegan

Oakland's soul food landmark wants to get their indoor space in tip-top shape as they welcome back their devoted customers for indoor dining.

Charles Blades Barber Spa

Charles Blades can't wait to activate their space with exciting events for the Jack London community and Oakland's youth. Book now.

Home of Chicken and Waffles

Owner Derreck Johnson is working on launching Home of Chicken and Waffles' virtual kitchen.

Purple Heart

Oakland's historic cannabis dispensary needs to make repairs after temporary closure during COVID-19.

Seawolf Public House

The nostalgic pub in the beautiful Victorian on 4th and Webster wants to add to their outdoor signage and improve their online marketing presence.

Crooked City Cider Taphouse

Trusty taphouse leader Dana Bushouse wants to make their outdoor space even cozier and make improvements to their online ordering system.

Oakland United Beerworks

OU is seeking to expand their outdoor amenities with more lighting, seating, and shelter (fire pits and a pint anyone?!)

Federation Brewing

Oakland's best brewery off Broadway has created an amazing outdoor taproom for their guests.

minimo wine shop

minimo's outdoor sipping space has ideas for some wind-tolerant landscaping and other improvements to make the wine tasting experience even more enjoyable.

La Furia Chalaca

Jack London's spot for authentic Peruvian cuisine is looking forward to reopening this Spring.

Planted Table

The best plant-based meal delivery business in town wants to beautify their storefront with cafe tables and chairs, new signage, and planter boxes for patrons to enjoy their meals at their location as well as at home.

Wine and Design

Wine and Design is adding to their roster of activities with a virtual charcuterie class! Guests can paint their own charcuterie board and then make a delicious spread of cheeses and meats with supplies picked up at their Broadway location.

Shape Shifters Cinema

The hip microcinema at 575 5th Street had grand plans before COVID. They are in the process of building out their location for retail sales and future events.

Radiance Oak Community Center

Wants to boost nighttime visibility by installing an illuminated sign and additional lighting at their 4th street studio location.

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More District Updates

• The District is seeking merchant input for DOT’s parking policy update. Take the survey here.

• We have been working with the City, property owners, and merchants on Flex Streets in Jack London, which allow merchants space in the public right-of-way to serve customers and shoppers outdoors. If your business needs help implementing outdoor seating or curbside use, contact us.

• As part of our work in development advocacy and providing educational opportunities for our stakeholders, the BID recently hosted a forum on Link 21. At the core of Link21 is a new transbay crossing between Oakland and San Francisco. A recording of the forum is on our webpage at https://jacklondonoakland.org/panel-talks

• Our partnership with the Downtown Streets Team fellowship has been initiated, and two fellows experiencing homelessness are included in Ambassador Team training and duties, earning living wages and receiving employment support.

Our District In the News

• Much-Delayed Jack London Square Food Hall Project Thwarted Again As Star Chefs Back Out – SFist

• Housing Guide: Where to live in Oakland – SF Chronicle

• Up The Game on the Oakland A's Proposed Ballpark, Say Advocates – SF Streetsblog

Announcing our Business Pivot Mini Grant!

The Application for our new Mini Grant for Business Pivots is now available!

Jack London Merchants are invited to apply for a mini grant from $1K to $5K. The BID has allocated funding to support retailers’ needed physical adaptations, new initiatives such as digital marketing, socially-distanced events, and other pivots in light of continued economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mini grants are intended to support projects that are flexible, fast, innovative and fun. Read application for details and eligibility requirements. Funding is limited and awards will prioritize small and BIPOC-owned businesses. Deadline to apply is Friday, March 26th.

March District Update

Slainte Re-opens!

Oakland's favorite Irish Pub is reopening for outdoor dining today. Enjoy pub eats and drinks, Tues - Sun from 12-8, with live music on Sunday afternoons.

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It's Federation's Birthday Month

Federation Brewing turns 4 this month! The big weekend is March 19-21 (save the date!), but throughout the month they’ll be celebrating, so keep an eye out for all the exciting things they have in store.

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It's the Perfect Time of Year to Enjoy the Farmers' Market

Featured Produce this Month: Asparagus and Strawberries.

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Waterfront Ballpark Draft EIR Released

The Howard Terminal mixed-use project may include: a ballpark with a capacity of up to 35,000 individuals, up to 3,000 residential dwelling units, up 1.5 million square feet of commercial space, up to 270,000 square feet of retail space, a hotel with up to 400 rooms, a performance venue with a capacity of up to 3,500 individuals, and parks.

Members of the public will have 45 days to submit comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report. Public comments will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. on April 12, 2021. For information on how to submit public comments, see the Notice of Availability.

There will be an informational workshop webinar to describe the Draft EIR key analysis and conclusions, and to help the public locate information within the document. The workshop will take place on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom and can be accessed at http://bit.ly/HTDEIRWorkshop.

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Thoughts on Flex Streets?

Have you enjoyed an afternoon dining outside in the District, perhaps in a new parklet or sidewalk cafe? To help Oakland small businesses operate under County Health Orders, the City streamlined permit processes for use of sidewalks, parklets, streets and more for outdoor dining, retail sales and personal services.

As we look to the future, the City of Oakland seeks your feedback on the Flex Streets Initiative.

February District Update

Celebrating Black History Month

A great way to celebrate Black History Month is by supporting our black-owned businesses. The District's own Derreck Johnson, activist and owner of Home of Chicken and Waffles, has launched the Black Owned Project to help build generational wealth and financial literacy in the Black community through ownership. Join them in supporting Black entrepreneur by purchasing a $15 shirt. All proceeds will go to OAACC. For more updates, follow #BlackOwnedProject on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

• Find your next meal with Berkeleyside's list of Black-owned eateries in Berkeley & Oakland open for takeout.

• Check out a list of celebrations and virtual events for Black History Month on Visit Oakland's website.

• Enjoy a lineup of enriching events sponsored by the Oakland Public Library.

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Outdoor Dining is Back, just in time for Craft Beer Week!

Outdoor dining has returned with tons of options for drinking and dining in the District, including Federation Brewing's stunning new outdoor seating!

Craft Beer Week is alive and strong in the District this month from Feb. 12-21, and our Brewing District is gearing up. Federation Brewing is even offering a chocolate and beer pairing special for Valentine’s Day! Plus, you can join Tiger's Taproom on Sunday for the annual Beer Week release of "Doom Boom" Triple IPA with Barebottle Brewing Co. And right now, you can purchase Buck Wild Brewing's delicious compilation of 8 of their favorite gluten-free brews, with a special Beer Week release.

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Valentines Day Deals & Events

• NIDO's Drag Brunch, Sat. Feb. 13th at 12pm. Come celebrate LOVE with us the best way we know how - Loteria Drag Brunch! All proceeds will go to the East Oakland Collective! $20 per ticket.

• Miette Patisserie's 20% off Cupid's Candy Sale! Stock up on sweeties for your sweetie. Use coupon code LOVE and take 20% off all Valentine's Day candy purchases, in-store and online, now until February 14th.

• Celebrate Valentines weekend with Chop Bar! Valentines menu is available for pick up from 3-7 pm on Saturday the 13th or Sunday the 14th!!

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Explore Jack London's Vibe

Vibemap is an app, website, newsletter, and recommendation platform that helps bring people together in real life, and we've partnered with them on a Jack London guide--see below! The Jack London District has old school vibes everywhere - from the covered sidewalks and old time saloons that can be found in the historic Wholesale Produce Market to the warehouse cafes and bars that give this part of town it’s reputation as the “Beverage Belt”. That’s why this formerly gritty waterfront is perfect for anyone that is looking for a classic East Bay experience.

Merchants, want a feature on Vibemap? Fill out this short Q&A form.

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Executive Update, February 2021

We’re looking forward to a full slate of projects and work to address economic recovery and resilience in the Jack London District. As pandemic restrictions continue—and hopefully-- ease, we’re continuing to promote ways to safely patronize District businesses and work on creative campaigns to launch in 2021. - Savlan Hauser, Executive Director

• We have been working with the City, property owners, and merchants on Flex Streets in Jack London, which allow merchants space in the public right-of-way to serve customers and shoppers outdoors. If your business needs help implementing outdoor seating or curbside use, contact us.

• For graffiti abatement or vandalism prevention resources, please get in touch.

• It’s not too early to plan for spring spruce up with our street tree pruning and planting plans. Do you have a neglected tree in mind? Please send us the location or a snapshot so we can add it to our list!

Our District In the News

• Oakland A's Slow-Pitched Plan for Oakland's Waterfront – Bisnow

• Quattrocchi Kwok Architects Moves East Bay Office to Oakland's Jack London Square – PR Wire

• Bay Area businesses honor Oakland's Kamala Harris with ice cream, dishes - KTVU

Upcoming Events

• Merchant Business Coffee Hour on Tuesday Feb. 23rd, 10am

• SBA Business Briefing on Thursday, Feb 25th, 10am

• Virtual NCPC Meeting Jack London Beat 1X meets 2/23, 6:15PM

December District Update

We're all celebrating the holiday season a little differently with our families as we wrap-up a challenging and unprecedented year. The Jack London Improvement District wishes you healthy and happy holidays, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting local neighborhood businesses this year and every year. We want to give a special shout-out to our local merchants and restaurants for continuing to serve the community - we have been inspired by their ability to adapt and persevere. We'd like to also thank our partners including the City of Oakland, County of Alameda, Oakland Chamber of Commerce, Visit Oakland, Oakland Indie Alliance, and all ethnic Chambers and BID partners for essential resource sharing and collaboration throughout the year to help Oakland thrive. Thank you to all stakeholders for helping build a stronger community and pride as a District.

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Thanks for Playing Jack London BINGO!

Thanks for playing Jack London District BINGO with us this Fall! Featured above are some photos of delicious local drinks participants purchased while playing BINGO.
Our Grand Prize winner was Luana Espana from the Port of Oakland. Congrats Luana! Luana received two Jack London Gift Card Surprise Bags from the Oakland Indie Alliance.

Need a gift for yourself or someone lucky? Thanks to our partnership with the wonderful Oakland Indie Alliance, you too can have a Jack London Gift Card Surprise Bag today! For $50, get $60 worth of gift cards to Jack London's independent businesses. Makes a perfect holiday gift, and a great way to get to know the District.

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Pictured above (starting top left): Keith Stephenson, Jen Nettles, Michale Carilli, Kim Cole, Melissa O'Keefe, Dan Hagerty.

Welcome New Board Members!

Jen Nettles, General Manager, CIM Jack London Square

Melissa O'Keefe, Property Owner and Board President of Living Jazz

Kim Cole, Property Owner and Business Owner, Kim Cole Real Estate

Dan Hagerty, Property and Business Owner, Seawolf Public House

Keith Stephenson, Property and Business Owner, Purple Heart

Michael Carilli, Property and Business Owner, The Port Workspaces

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Oakland Restaurant (and More) Week

In 2021, to celebrate the businesses and people that have been nourishing Oakland’s communities, Oakland Restaurant Week gets upgraded to Oakland Restaurant (and More) Week—to promote all the businesses who contribute to Oakland’s culinary fabric.

From Jan.7-18, 2021, take advantage of some amazing specials from your favorite local restaurants. But wait, there’s more! In addition to restaurants, be sure to show some love to Oakland’s breweries, wineries, food trucks, cafes, pop-ups, dessert spots, caterers, and more!

Here’s to the start of a great 2021. Oakland, let’s eat!

Search the Jack London neighborhood when choosing your ORW Special below.

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Every dollar you spend in Oakland, stays in Oakland

Local businesses make Oakland unique, infuse creativity, and are a pillar of our community. Share your love for the people and businesses of the Town. Support local restaurants, cafes, and food trucks by dining outside, ordering takeout, or delivery and shop at your favorite local shops. 

November District Update

After years in the crafting, Buck Wild Brewing, California's first 100% gluten-free brewery is opening on 4th and Jackson in a beautifully renovated warehouse. Buck Wild Brewing is partnering with health-forward Kitava for an amazing menu. Grand Opening is this Saturday, 11/7 starting at 11AM! Check out their menu and tap list here.

There’s an exciting new option for buying locally called Keep Oakland Alive.

Here's the story: Brett Rounsaville, an Oakland local, asked himself this question: What if there were a different kind of online store? One where you could put a toothbrush, a new sweatshirt, and some toys, all in the same shopping cart and have it all delivered right to your door in a couple days, but you KNEW that every item was coming from a shop in your own community and that 100% of the money was staying in Oakland. A site that could be your first stop ten times out of ten for online shopping. A hyper-local Amazon replacement!

Keep Oakland Alive has just launched a way to shop your favorite local stores online, all at once, and have it all delivered to your door, for free. They’ve started with 30 shops and upwards of 30,000 products with more to come every week.

For merchants who'd like to join this platform: Brett and the team at Keep Oakland Alive have worked to get shop owners running on the site with almost no effort on their part, they take care of pick up and delivery and processing fees, and they payout twice a month on the 1st and the 15th. They’re also putting up great profiles of all the shop owners on the site so the customers know exactly who it is they’re supporting.

If you’re interested in hearing more, you can reach out to him directly at brett@keepoaklandalive.com.

Join in a fun game of trivia with local prizes from the Jack London District for top teams. This will be our final virtual trivia night of the year so join in! Our dynamite host Jeff will bring us 4 rounds of challenging questions on Friday, 11/6 from 5:30pm-7:30pm.

Play with a team of friends, neighbors and family members, or face the competition as a lone wolf, it's your choice. Trivia is free and welcome to all players. Zoom meeting information and answer sheets will be sent to your team on Friday afternoon after you register below.

Save your receipts when you shop and dine in Jack London and complete a row of the District BINGO Board to win!
Get your BINGO card now and start playing below.

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Meeting Reminder: Monthly Board of Directors meeting on Monday, November 9th at 5:00PM on Zoom. This month is the District's annual election of Board Members. See full meeting information and how to join here.

Business Update

Updated Alameda County Order: Orange Tier

Alameda County has just released a statement on new and altered activities that are permitted as we have reached "Orange Tier" status. Highlights include permitting indoor dining at 25% capacity starting on October 26th, indoor salon services, and more. Read the complete statement here. 

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Compassionate Encampment Management: Town Hall

With the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, the Oakland BID Alliance, Chinatown Chamber of Commerce and African American Chamber of Commerce and others, we're co-presenting this event for the public to learn more about the proposed Encampment Management Policy. City of Oakland Homelessness Administrator Daryel Dunston will present the potential Policy that the city council will hear at their meeting on October 20. The intention behind the policy is to provide better sanitation, guidelines, and consistency for both housed and unhoused Oakland residents and businesses. This is a crucial issue for Jack London as our District has been challenged by unsafe and hazardous encampments on sidewalks and in public areas. Register here. 

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Are you interested in serving on the Jack London Improvement District Board of Directors?

We are seeking enthusiastic partners who will work to drive our projects and mission forward. Eligible applicants received as of October 15th will be considered as candidates. All eligible candidates will be brought as nominees before the Board of Directors at the annual meeting on Monday, November 9th. Apply and Find out more at jacklondonoakland.org/board-member-application

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OAKLAND CARES Fund Opportunities

Oakland CARES Fund for Home-Based Business Grant Program will distribute $500,000 in grants of $2,000 to $4,000 to home-based, for-profit businesses in Oakland. Working Solutions, a Bay Area nonprofit, is administering the application and grant-making process. The grant application period closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 2. Online applications in four languages are available at: https://www.workingsolutions.org/oakland-home-based-grants.

Oakland CARES Fund for Small Business Grant Program aims to support Oakland small businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program anticipates distributing $10,000 grants to 402 Oakland small businesses. Grants may be used to cover day-to-day operating costs, such as worker payroll, rent and fixed debts. The application period for the small business grants opened today (Tuesday, September 22) at 1 p.m., and ends at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2020. Online applications in four languages are available at: https://mainstreetlaunch.org/oakland-cares-act-grant/

Oakland CARES Fund for Artists and Arts Nonprofits, $1.425 million of those funds will go to support individual artists and arts nonprofit organizations that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Oakland CARES Arts Organizational Grant will award grants of up to $20,000 to arts nonprofits, while the Oakland CARES Individual Artist Grant seeks to support individual artists with grants of up to $3,000 each. The application period for both grants opened Monday, September 21 at 9 a.m., and closes 1 p.m. on Friday, October 23, 2020. Online applications in four languages are available at: cciarts.org/Oakland_CARES_Fund.html

Approximately $850,000 in grants will be available to support Oakland-based nonprofit organizations that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant program will support about 34 nonprofits with grants of $20,000 to $25,000 each. The grants are available to Oakland nonprofits with an annual budget of less than $1 million that are currently providing programs and services that address the impact of COVID-19 and the needs of low-income residents and businesses in the following areas: Health & Human Services; Economic & Workforce Development; Legal Support; Food Security; Homeless and Renter Support Services; and Education. The application period opened Wednesday, September 23 at 9 a.m., and extended to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2020. Online applications are available at: communityvisionca.org/oaklandcares

Need Help Negotiating Your Lease? Many Oakland small businesses have struggled to pay rent and require legal advice to help negotiate lease terms with commercial landlords. In partnership with the City's Economic and Workforce Development Department, The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the SF Bay Area will provide legal assistance through commercial leasing webinars, one-hour consultations, and longer-term legal assistance. Business owners can access these free legal services at https://lccrsf.org/legal-services-for-oakland-small-businesses/

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Oakland Alameda Access Project Public Comment Open

The Oakland Alameda Access Project is a decades-long project in development, and our district is part of the project area. The Jack London Improvement District has been tracking the design phase and advocating for District connectivity, mobility, and safety throughout. The Environmental Impact Report has been released and public comment period is open. A public hearing will be held by the Alameda County Transportation Commission on October 20th. More project info including video renderings, and how to comment here.  

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New Marketing Campaign Coming this Fall!

• We are bringing business to Jack London merchants through a festive fall marketing activity, starting with a Trick or Treat BINGO Bash!

• Participants will complete a "bingo" card by patronizing different businesses and sending us proof of purchase. The BID will purchase "treats" from Jack London merchants as participant prizes.

• Post a flyer at your counter or in your window to spread the word. No need to distribute anything, it's all digital! We will be providing more details and an easy-to-post media kit next week!

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• Applications Continue for Use of Outdoor Spaces for Retail, Dining
  See step-by-step instructions at: www.oaklandca.gov/FlexStreets

• Find more business resources  on our webpage here and on the City of Oakland's website at: https://www.oaklandca.gov/resources/coronavirus-2019-covid-19-business-and-worker-resources

• Missed our recent Annual Report? Download here.

Our Annual Report

Business Update

District Business Update

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Don't Miss the Grand Opening of Port Kitchens Marketplace this weekend, 8/22 & 8/23!

The Grand Opening will offer a 10% discount off everything in the store-- come shop! Taste the market with free product samples, cocktail tastings (21+), free swag & more! The Marketplace features a variety of unique and delicious local products, fresh produce, deli goods, cheeses, dairy, spices, meats, and an array of dry goods to stock your pantry. A welcome amenity for the neighborhood rallying for a place to shop for groceries! The Bar offers a rotating selection of custom crafted cocktails with house made shrubs, syrups and purees made with seasonal ingredients fresh from the Market. They also have a curated selection of beer, wine, and spirits from the Bay Area and beyond. 

Visit the Port Kitchens Marketplace website to learn more about the business and event.

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Marketing Opportunities with Visit Oakland

To encourage locals to explore and spend money in the town, Visit Oakland has launched "Spend. Stay. Love. Oakland." If you have an upcoming event, outdoor dining special, or change to your operations that you would like promoted through the "Spend. Stay. Love. Oakland." campaign, please log into the Visit Oakland Partner Portal to update your listing to promote through this marketing campaign. 

Oakland Restaurant Week: Late Summer Edition Sept.1 to Sept.13 promotes restaurants with outdoor dining, takeout and delivery. In contrast to January’s Restaurant Week, this September’s Restaurant Week does not require a Prix Fixe Menu, but does encourage participating businesses to include a value-add for orders placed within this date range. Instructions to participate here. Email partnerships@visitoakland.com for further assistance.

Loans Available to Small Businesses Impacted by Protests

Impacted businesses now have access to low-interest disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a result of the civil unrest that began May 26, 2020.
Physical Disaster Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans available. See the fact sheet for details on interest rates, loan terms, and application requirements. Additional information is also posted on the City’s website. Application deadlines are: September 16, 2020 for Physical Damage Loans & March 17, 2021 for Economic Injury Loans.

Applications Continue for Use of Outdoor Spaces for Retail, Dining

See step-by-step instructions at: www.oaklandca.gov/FlexStreets

 
Need help launching an online store?

ShopHERE powered by Google provides independent small businesses and artists with a quick, easy and no-cost way to get selling online right away.
Find out more and apply here.

Find more business resources on our website here and on the City of Oakland's website at: https://www.oaklandca.gov/resources/coronavirus-2019-covid-19-business-and-worker-resources

Sign Up To Get Our Updates in Your Inbox!

August District Update

Community Meeting 8/12 @5PM: The Future of 4th and Broadway's County-Owned Blocks

We're excited to host an online Community Meeting with Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan's office, 5-6PM on August 12th to learn more about the process for creating a new life for two significant blocks in our District. RSVP for Zoom Link.

Alameda County owns entire city blocks between 4th and 5th, at Broadway. Improving the Broadway Gateway and activation of these empty blocks has long been a District priority. Finally some small but significant progress has been made. The County released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for developers, viewable here.  The County is seeking to have both properties developed in a manner that produces the most housing at the most affordable level possible.  A minimum of 40% of residential units will be required to be affordable to low and very-low income households. The meeting will provide more information on the process and an opportunity for Q&A.

Thanks to District stakeholders for joining us in advocacy for activating these sites, and public participation in past events. We plan to stay engaged in this process to make sure the best project possible gets built.

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Improvements for 7th Street Corridor: Strengthening the Connection between West Oakland, Downtown and Jack London

7th Street has been the focus of community planning efforts in West Oakland for decades, from the West Oakland Specific Plan (approved in 2014), to the “Let’s Bike Oakland” Bike Plan Update (approved by the City Council in June 2019), and most recently as part of the A’s/Howard Terminal development process.  This improvement has the potential to strengthen the connection between West Oakland, Jack London, and Downtown. 7th Street is set to be repaved in 2022/23 as part of the City’s Measure KK-funded paving program. With outside funding, the City could install new pedestrian lighting, plant new trees, widen sidewalks, install protected bike lanes, shorten crossing distances for pedestrians, and install truck-and bus-only lanes. 

Learn more about the project at this link. 
Take the Survey and share your thoughts link here.

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Trivia Night Takes a Break This Friday - Back on 8/14

Many of our merchants and restaurants are open for outdoor dining, curbside pickup, and socially-distanced shopping. We encourage you to order your snacks and beverages for trivia and for the week from Jack London's local businesses. Browse options easily on Oakland's Open (search Jack London Sq neighborhood) and JLDbiz.com. Find local groceries with our handy Jack London Grocery Guide. Check businesses' social media and website for current information on hours and ordering.
 

Business Update

Dear Jack London Business Community,

The prospective new business owner, Bryan Brick, of a bottle shop called Good Times Oakland at 4th and Alice, invites you to an informal zoom meeting tomorrow morning for Q&A and to share feedback. 

Thursday, July 30th at 10am
https://zoom.us/j/91107299859 

You can contact Bryan here as well: bryan@goodtimesoakland.com
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Yesterday the City Council took a number of actions relevant to our businesses:

1) Allocation of $36 million in CARES Act funding to address the public health and public safety impacts of COVID-19.  Here's the Staff Report. Appointees have been allocated money to provide technical assistance in lease negotiation, safe re-opening resources, PPE, and more to support Oakland's small businesses. This is a large and complex piece of legislation, and we will relay opportunities available as we are working quickly to learn what the sources will be.

2) A cap on delivery service fees was approved for delivery companies operating in Oakland. Here's a summary: 

• 15% cap on delivery fee (formula retail restaurant excluded); 

• Delivery service company may pass on actual charges incurred associated with credit card processing; 

• Cap would extend to 90 days beyond the emergency; 

• First violation is $500; 

• Subsequent violations are $1000. 

July District Updates

District Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity

Our Statement on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity: This organization is committed to incorporating the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the governance and operations of the District. The diversity of businesses, visitors, and residents of this neighborhood are its strength and should be celebrated, reinforced, and expanded. This neighborhood is a cultural gem and nightlife destination with a broad variety of entertainment venues, a publicly accessible waterfront, a transportation and logistics hub, a residence for over 4,000 people, a one-hundred-year old wholesale produce market, a home to legendary black-owned establishments, an artist and fabricator district, and more. As neighborhood stewards and community builders, this Improvement District is working to ensure all are welcome and can thrive in this dynamic place.

In addition, we are actively seeking to improve representation of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Stakeholders on the Board of Directors and as advisors to the organization. Here is the Board Application and role description. Annual elections are in November. If you'd like to speak to a fellow District stakeholder serving on the Board, please email info@jacklondonoakland.org.

Read more about the Board discussion from 7/13, as well as past meeting agendas and slideshows here.   
 

Development Proposals:

Request for Qualifications Now Invited for 4th and Broadway's County-Owned Blocks

Activation of the long-empty Alameda County owned blocks -- a gateway to our district between 4th and 5th, at Broadway-- has long been a District priority, and finally some small but significant progress has been made.
This week the County released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for developers interested in leasing, developing and managing one or both of two County-owned properties in the Jack London neighborhood of Oakland. Responses to the RFQ are due 4 pm, September 10, 2020.

The County is seeking to have both properties developed in a manner that produces the most housing at the most affordable level possible.  A minimum of 40% of residential units will be required to be affordable to low and very-low income households. 
The County has not given our District credit for this progress, but WE thank the consistent community support and interest in activating these sites, and public participation in past events. We plan to stay engaged in this process to make sure the best project possible gets built.

In addition, a Major Conditional Use Permit is sought at 401 Alice Street for a prospective business, "Good Times Oakland", a Beer & Wine Bottle Shop with a Bar comp. The application will be heard at the Planning Commission meeting on August 5th , this meeting is open to the public. More information here. For any comments to the City, email Project Planner Jose Herrera.

Business Update

Alameda County's Attestation to become a Variance County Approved

Alameda County's attestation to become a variance county was approved today by the State. This means:

• Outdoor dining can resume. Please note that face coverings are required at ALL times and may only be removed during the physical act of eating or drinking.

• The Oakland Zoo can open for outdoor activities with appropriate safety measure in place

Today is Alameda County's third day on the State's County Monitoring List which means that the County is subject to restrictions per the State Health officer Orders issued on July 13th, 2020. The State requires that beginning today:

• Places of worship can hold outdoor services only and will not be able to hold indoor services

• Indoor malls will be required to close. This does not impact other indoor retail at this time.

For more information about the State orders, click here.
For more information about Alameda County, click here.

June District Update

A Conversation About Race: Reflection and Action

Tune in to the Oakland @Athletics Instagram Live at 11:30AM This Friday 6/19. Hear Taj Tashombe, Jack London Improvement District Board Member and VP, Government Affairs of the Oakland A's in conversation with Tony Kemp. 

Update on Flex Streets Initiative

The City of Oakland has developed the Flex Streets Initiative to allow businesses to use portions of the sidewalk and street space adjacent to their business to comply with physical distance guidance and support economic recovery-- quickly and with lower costs. Application requirements are here, and the one-page application is posted here. This website will be updated to include design guidelines for spacing, barricades, signage, etc. and sample design templates for businesses to follow. If you have feedback on the Flex Streets initiative, respond to their survey.

Additional information from ABC is here.

Street Closures for additional space and special events are also under consideration, and we are working with the City to identify where these will meet needs and interests. 

Updated Alameda County Health Order 

As of June 19, all retail stores will be allowed to open for indoor and outdoor shopping, and outdoor dining at sit-down restaurants will be permitted, albeit with reduced customer loads to ensure social distancing. Outdoor museums, and fitness classes will be allowed, as will limited indoor religious services, with up to 100 people or only 25 percent of the building capacity, whichever is less. 

All businesses allowed to operate under the county health orders must complete the Site-Specific Protection Plan template and implement risk assessment and control measures, physical distancing, disinfecting and cleaning protocols, and employee training to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We continue to share business resources here. 

Enjoy Jack London's food, drink, and shops. Browse options easily on Oakland's Open (search Jack London Sq neighborhood) and JLDbiz.com. Check businesses' social media and website for current information on hours and ordering. Find local groceries with our handy Jack London Grocery Guide.

Business Update - Flex Streets, Restaurant Resources, Trivia Night

Using Flex Streets to Re-open Businesses With Safe Social Distancing

Oakland's streets and sidewalks are adapting to the new rules of doing business and being out in public. 

We have been working with the City of Oakland's Department of Transportation and the Mayor's office to cut the time and expense typically involved in creating outdoor seating, facilitating curbside commerce like pickup and delivery, and enabling "pop-up parklets" to further expand restaurants' dining areas. The initiative is called Flex Streets and is slated to come before Council at the end of this month. Take the survey and inform the process. And, let us know your needs so we can continue to advocate for you.

See ABC's guidance for relaxed regulations in response to COVID-19.

We're working with our partner organizations to generate consistent signage for businesses to display showing they are operating with considerations for health and safety. Alameda County's mask sign is here-- Download, print and post the Jack London version here. 

Trivia Night brings Together Jack Londoners Near and Far

Tune in to another round of Jack London Trivia tonight, 6/12 from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Hosted this week by Oakland United Beerworks with local merchant prizes from the Jack London District for top teams. Register for Trivia Here, and share. We've had participants join from Stockholm to St. Louis!
 We encourage everyone to order food and beverages for the game and for the week from Jack London's local businesses, and highlight your offerings on an "ad reel" during sign-on and intermissions. 

Browse Oakland's Open, JLDbiz.com, and the current offerings of restaurants in Jack London Square. Find local groceries with our handy Jack London Grocery Guide. See Visit Oakland's helpful summary of great ways to Support the Oakland Community and search Black-Owned Restaurants and Pop-ups to support. Jack London is home to iconic black-owned restaurants and businesses including Souley Vegan, Everett and Jones BBQ, and Home of Chicken and Waffles, all offering takeout and delivery.

Business Resource: Visit Oakland's Partner Portal 

Visit Oakland's Oakland Partner Portal is a FREE resource for local businesses. Create an account to create website listings, post on events calendar, share your COVID compliance with customers, and more. Questions about the Oakland Partner Portal? Email marketing@visitoakland.com. 

Webinar: Restaurant & Bar Reopening

East Bay EDA 2020 Speaker Series: Restaurant Relaunch Webinar on Tuesday, June 23 at 9:00 am. Jay Coldren, Managing Director, Hospitality and Eat + Drink at Streetsense will discuss the nuts and bolts of Restaurant & Bar Reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic. This webinar is free and open to the public. Register here - http://bit.ly/sseda1.

Responding To the Recent Protests

Responding to Protests

We share the justifiable outrage for the senseless killing of George Floyd as another horrifying instance of racism and police brutality. And we support peaceful, powerful protest to demand change. Over the weekend, Oakland's Downtown saw tremendous violence and destruction to its streets, buildings, and storefronts. So many who are invested with their hearts and livelihoods are grieving. Particularly sad was the attack on small local businesses throughout Downtown and Chinatown already experiencing devastating economic stress due to the Pandemic. We stand in solidarity with our neighboring districts who bore the brunt of the destruction, and remain as vigilant as possible as more demonstrations are planned.  

A few important safety resources and support opportunities:

• If you are in need of graffiti abatement or vandalism prevention resources, please get in touch.

• Alameda County has issued a county-wide curfew order beginning tonight at 8:00PM. 

• Oakland Indie Alliance has started a fundraiser for our Oakland small businesses to repair windows and clean up graffiti. Other small, local, independent business owners who need help can join the list. 

• Oakland Art Murmur is organizing muralists for walls and storefronts. Please let us know if you are an interested building owner or tenant and we can facilitate the connection.

• Contribute here to Black Cultural Zone's Downtown community fundraiser for assistance to POC - owned businesses 

• If a business has video footage or still photographs that may be evidence for vandalism or burglary cases, the business owner is asked to alert OPD: Officer K. Godchaux and Officer R. Messier. If a business experienced a loss of merchandise, they are asked to complete a supplemental online report.

• Now is an important time to register security cameras with OPD Camera Registry Program. This will assist OPD with follow-up investigations. 

Read our collective letter condemning structural racism and police brutality with partner business organizations and chambers. Our leadership is committed to equity and inclusion in District work and in our participation in projects bigger than Jack London, such as the development of Howard Terminal, the Downtown Oakland Specific Plan, and finding solutions to homelessness. The historic pandemic has enabled us to work even more closely than we had before with pertinent departments at the City of Oakland and our partner business organizations.

We are committed to work together to build resilience, community, and a welcoming Jack London for all throughout these challenging and converging events. 
 

Keep Supporting Our Local Businesses 

Browse options easily on Oakland's Open and JLDbiz.com. Check businesses' social media and website for current information on hours and ordering.

Find local groceries with our handy Jack London Grocery Guide.

May District Updates

Using Sidewalks, Curbside, and Pop-up Parklets to Operate with Social Distancing and Safety

Oakland's streets, curbs, and sidewalks are adapting to the new rules of doing business and being out in public during the pandemic.

We are working with the City of Oakland's Department of Transportation and the Mayor's office to cut the time and expense typically involved in creating outdoor seating, facilitating curbside commerce like pickup and delivery, and enabling pop-up parklets to further expand restaurants' dining areas and help comply with social distancing requirements. 

What might be helpful for you in the adapted operation of your business?

• Outdoor seating

• Pop-up Parklet (use of parking spaces as seating/waiting area)

• Designated delivery/pickup curb

Please respond to this email and let us know your interest so that we can help connect you with creative solutions for businesses in Jack London.

Updated Shelter-In-Place Order

Alameda County Health Officers have updated the Shelter-In-Place Order to include curbside and store front pick up from retail businesses and associated manufacturing and warehousing businesses. Here is a link to a summary of the updated and new orders: http://www.acphd.org/media/577609/alameda-county-health-officer-order-summary-20-11-and-20-12-english.pdf

In anticipation of measured openings, the City has posted planning resources here https://www.oaklandca.gov/resources/re-opening-resources and released this brief Business Re-opening and Recovery Survey to help gauge COVID-19 impacts to your business and what resources would help you as you plan for re-opening and recovery.

New Grant Opportunities

The Verizon/LISC Small Business Recovery Fund offers grants of up to $10,000 to help small businesses. The grants are meant to fill urgent financial gaps until more permanent financing becomes available. The application opened on May 14.

The Beauty Changes Lives Nail Professional Relief Grant is available to licensed professionals who can not maintain their regular income during the COVID-19 pandemic. One-time grants of $1,000 are available. Applications are now open.

SBA Financial Assistance Updates

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

As of April 27th, the SBA resumed accepting PPP applications from participating lenders. To find a lender near you, please use the SBA’s find a lender tool.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

According to the SBA’s website, the SBA will resume processing EIDL Loan and Advance applications that are already in the queue on a first come, first-serve basis. 

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

The new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program will help unemployed Californians who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, have limited work history, and others who may not be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits. The EDD started accepting online applications on April 28th, 2020.

Opportunity for Restaurants to Help Feed Oakland’s Hungry

The City is partnering with World Central Kitchen and others to provide meals to Oakland’s hungry. They are looking for restaurants that can provide up to 300 meals per day potentially starting as soon as next week.