You can't think barbecue in Oakland without thinking Everett and Jones. For over 35 years the family run business has been serving up plates of southern style 'cue from their locations in east Oakland and Jack London Square. But beyond the pulled pork and slaw, the family is well known for cultivating a sense of community participation and cultural heritage that's on full display in their East Oakland gift shop, which serves as part souvenir shop, part community space and part African American history museum.

For the last 5 years the shop, run by Shirley Everett-Dicko, has also been the headquarters for "Santa's Crib." The Christmas event features one of the area's only African American Santa's and a toy drive, cosponsored by the Bay Valley Corvette Club, that hands out hundreds of gifts annually. The last time she took a headcount in 2006 Everett-Dicko says she lost track after 600 youth came through the door. This year, she says, "the line wrapped around the block and families were lined up at 9:30 for the noon giveway."

The shop opened in the large storefront at 2727 Fruitvale this past July after spending the last 5 years in a smaller location a block away.  Dicko says the new, larger space will allow her to offer more community events like their popular summer movie series, barbecue tastings and after school homework sessions.

The family is also mapping out the architectural upgrades that will allow them to move their Everett and Jones barbecue restaurant from across the street into the new space. Plans so far include an outdoor barbecue pit and fully stocked rooftop and backyard gardens. There are already 15 trees baring a variety of fruits from peaches to avocados and the 1st crops of collard greens are ready to be harvested.

Dicko, who is also the president of the Fruitvale Gateway Merchants Association, says she hopes the shop and backyard garden will serve as an oasis sorts for young people in the neighborhood looking for safe places to play. "I want kids to come in, do their homework, pick up a chess board and go out into the garden and spend some time. We're building up that community spirit" she says.