Chances are you’ve probably noticed at least one Christmas tree lot pop up in town recently. Or maybe you’ve checked out the goods at one of the many Halloween stores that quickly open up around October. But have you ever seen a whole block of businesses pop up? Well now you can over in Old Oakland thanks to popuphood. Popuphood is an effort to support local businesses and revitalize Oakland block by block by providing six businesses with free retail space for six months in previously vacant storefronts, and one converted shipping container.

The grand opening of these new businesses (which are located mostly along Broadway and 9^th St.) is Friday December 9^th. We’ve decided to highlight this new form of neighborhood revival as part of our Use Your Money campaign because this homegrown effort to support local merchants and artisans is also about putting our neighbors and the people we know before big corporations.

I talked to Alissa, Goss, one of the co-owners of Marion and Rose’s Workshop, one of the six businesses that are part of popuphood.

How did you get involved in Pop-up Hood?

My business partner and I were identifying locations for our Pop-up event the Holidayland Gift Sale (which is now in it's 6th year) as well as looking for a space that we could stay on a long-term basis. Old Oakland was our first choice location wise, because it is so beautiful, has wonderful restaurants, is conveniently accessible by public transportation, and was lacking retail. We are a shop that features local talent and we wanted to bring that to highlight that. With the support of a community of like-minded entrepreneurs it's a dream come true for opening a retail space. And that is how Marion and Rose's Workshop came to be.

Can you elaborate on your Holidayland Gift Sale? and Marion and Rose's Workshop?

Holidayland is a signature event for shopping local. We feature independent designers, artisans and makers. The holiday sale is designed to be a fun, festive way to showcase the best in independent designers and artists both locally, nationally and internationally for the holidays. Holidayland has a faithful following of Bay Area shoppers looking to buy unique, high quality, affordable and fun gift items for the entire family. Included in the Sale are promotional events, designer showcases, and an interactive photo booth by San Francisco artist Michael McConnell.

Has anyone from the city or the neighborhood helped you guys out? If so in what capacity?

Marion and Rose's workshop is in partnership with the Popuphood.  In turn, the popuphood has received generous help with marketing, and outreach through the City of Oakland.

The local restaurants and businesses have been extremely supportive.  B Restaurant and Bar has printed the popuphood grand opening date on all their receipts to customers, they have facebooked about us, and are offering discounts to shoppers who show their receipts this Friday and Saturday for the Grand Opening event. Caffe 817 has also been helping spread the word to their customer base about our shop. Tamarindo and the Trappist have also reached out with support as well.  We could not be happier with the support of the other local businesses in Old Oakland.

Do you have any events or partnerships planned to help the community?

We opened our doors on Plaid Friday, Nov. 25th, a shop local campaign. We offered 10% off to customers wearing plaid on that day and donated 3% of the profits made on Nov. 25th to the Alameda County Food Bank.

We have a fun interactive photo booth by artist Michael McConnell [as part of the Holidayland Gift Sale].  There is a suggested donation of $5 and ALL of the PROCEEDS from that are being raised for the Alameda County Food Bank.

To learn more about our Use Your Money campaign, popuphood, Marion and Rose’s Workshop, or any of the other five new businesses you can check out their websites below or simply head down to Old Oakland and check these guys out for yourself. Manifesto Bicycles 831 Broadway Street Crown Nine 461 A 9th Street, Breezeway Marion and Rose’s Workshop 461 9th Street Piper and John General Goods 469 9th Street Sticks + Stones Gallery 815 Broadway Turtle & Hare Shipping Container, Parking Lot Learn more about the Ella Baker Center’s Use Your Money campaign here!