What Should Go Here? Former Temescal Market

Through working with some of the neighborhood associations in Oakland, I met one of the owners of a building on Broadway at 40th that has a vacant retail space on the ground floor.  They would like to know what the community would want in this space.

When they learned about Spotmojo, how we’re gathering suggestions directly from the community on the types of businesses they want, he thought it was a great idea.  He really wants to know what the community wants in this area because he understands that could benefit everyone.  The neighborhood gets a business they want and has one less empty space to look at, we help the business succeed, and the building owner gets a stable tenant.

I also heard one of their other partners of the same company talk at a forum discussing how to improve retail in Oakland.  I appreciated his view where he thinks the focus should be on promoting independently owned businesses that make Oakland unique, rather than just focusing on attracting national chains.

This space was previously occupied by Temescal Produce Market, but I’m not exactly sure when they moved out.  It has an ADA bathroom and some of the produce market type equipment like compartment sinks and a prep area.  But really, this space could be used for anything.

Submit your ideas on Spotmojo using this link:  http://www.spotmojo.com/openspot/temescal/

Michael Hsueh is the co-founder of Spotmojo.  Spotmojo is a website where you can suggest the businesses you want where you live, work, or play.  The suggestions are used to help new businesses find the perfect location.  This gives you a voice in the businesses that open in your neighborhood and it helps local businesses succeed.