We love local business and local entreprenurs--here's the latest from some cool Oakland folks:

"Local entrepreneurs Alfonso Dominguez and Sarah Filley today officially introduced popuphood, a new urban initiative and small business incubator revitalizing Oakland, block by block. This is an innovative strategy for breathing new life into the city’s retail sector in downtown’s hip, historic Old Oakland neighborhood with a grand opening celebration Friday, December 9, 2011.

“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.”! Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, 1961.

Through popuphood, a dynamic neighborhood is created where folks can stroll, dine, drink and shop, while exploring the neighborhood, discovering its historic charm and investing locally. Old Oakland is a charming tree lined historic district with brick sidewalks, Victorian architecture evoking its past as thriving business center. Boasting the highest walk and transit scores in Oakland, this neighborhood has placed Oakland as a whole as the nation’s 10th most walk-able city (Walk Score, July 2011). Centered at 9th & Washington Streets at Broadway, this neighborhood is an undiscovered Oakland gem. The 2008 economic downturn closed some of the neighborhood’s early pioneers. Since then new eateries and nightspots have since invested in this picturesque area with great potential, yet the area still lacked retail. Now a citizen-led creative team has decided to stop waiting for the recovery and make it happen by bringing popuphood to building owners and the city.

Linking the ferry, Jack London Square and the Uptown Arts & Entertainment District with the Broadway downtown business corridor, popuphood offers six new retail shops in five previously vacant store fronts with six months free rent. The sixth retail concept is a furniture shop in a finished 20’ shipping container situated in the parking lot. Each local small business was curated by popuphood to compliment the residential and mixed business in the area as well as round out a full selection of goods and products reflecting a range of price points and the diversity of Oakland’s patrons.

Retailers include: Manifesto Bicycles, Marion and Rose’s Workshop, Sticks + Stones Gallery, PIPER AND JOHN GENERAL GOODS, Turtle and Hare, and Crown Nine.

The opening of all six stores is coordinated for the popuphood Grand Opening on December 9th, just in time for the holiday shopping season. This critical mass benefits the already thriving restaurants and bars by increasing the neighborhood profile and positioning Old Oakland as a true retail destination.

“...popuphood could pull off a hat trick, meeting the needs of the city, landlords and entrepreneurs in a single go.” Sarah Duxbury, “Oakland Retail Pops,” San Francisco Business Times October 21-21.

In September, Dominguez and Filley initiated talks with building owner Peter Sullivan Associates and began collaborating with the City of Oakland’s Community & Economic Development Agency. Recognizing its potential for fueling downtown revitalization efforts, the Oakland Redevelopment Agency funded a $30,000 grant through its highly praised Tenant Improvement Program. Redevelopment Agency staff is also providing guidance with respect to permits, marketing, publicity and the grand opening.

The popuphood teams plans to reach out to design and architecture firms and other model tenants, community and neighborhood groups, residents, and businesses in Old Oakland and surrounding areas. Participation is sought to engage the neighborhood with events, signage, guerilla marketing and the building the collection of new retail to set to launch at the December 9th Grand Opening and Holiday Event.