It is with heavy hearts that we begin June 2020. We share the justifiable anger at racism and police brutality. We support peaceful, powerful protests to demand change. As the Lakeshore Business Improvement District, we remain committed to a just, safe and diverse community. We honor racial justice and economic vitality. We urge everyone to use words and take actions that enable and build togetherness.
Please read our collective letter condemning structural racism and police brutality with partner business organizations and chambers here.
Over the weekend, Oakland experienced peaceful protests, but also destruction on its streets, buildings, and storefronts. As a result, Lakeshore looks different today with several businesses boarded up for protection. This does not mean they are not open, much of Lakeshore will continue its regular hours (closing by 8:00 pm during Oakland’s curfew) and many merchants can take orders online. Please use this spreadsheet to see how you can support our merchants through this tremendously challenging time.
Merchants Show Solidarity with Justice
We are proud to stand by our merchants. Along with the pictures at the start of this article of Arizmendi, Bay-Made, The Cathouse and The European Wax Center showing solidarity with the peaceful protests for Black Lives Matter and against police brutality, other merchants have spoken out. These are just some examples and not an inclusive list of all the wonderful supportive actions, demonstrations and commitment Lakeshore and its merchants have made:
- Proposition Chicken had vandalism at its SF restaurant but they “want to be very clear that those realities feel insignificant in our minds and hearts right now. The real problem here is the institutionalized racism that we have seen for far too long affecting our fellow Americans and our Bay Area communities. We stand with the protesters during these difficult times…” (Proposition Chicken post).
- Namaste Yoga has compiled a comprehensive list of reading to help deepen anti-racism work.
- Peet’s Coffee “Being part of a community means that we will not idly stand by as our members are discriminated against. We also believe in the power of our collective voices, so we will be asking our team members across the country how they think we can best support our community. From that Peet’s will commit to giving back locally with financial contributions that can and will effect change….” (Peet’s Post)
- Arizmendi : “Breonna Taylor. Tony McDade. Ahmaud Arbery. George Floyd. Taken from their loved ones and murdered for being black. We stand with our Oakland community and people of color. To most we are just a bakery, but we are also a cooperative comprised of members from all backgrounds. We are not perfect, and we are continuously trying to examine our own biases and weaknesses as individuals in a collective. But today we want our community to know that we all feel this pain and anger. Justice must be brought, and we must dismantle our racist systems.” (Arizmendi’s Post)
Lakeshore Love
The Lakeshore BID stands by and wants to support our beloved merchants and community! We know merchants are dealing with tremendous economic stress during these very challenging times, so we are creating a Lakeshore Love campaign that is a win-win for the merchants and the community. The way this will work is that the community will support 3-6 businesses during June and send their receipts to info@lakeshoreavenue.com. All valid submissions will be entered into a drawing for one of many wonderful prizes and goodies from Lakeshore merchants (with a chance at a bigger prize or two that will be perfect for Father’s Day). The Lakeshore BID is running the contest and buying all prizes to support our community. Please watch our social media for more details and dates for the contest (coming soon!). Stay tuned and Go Lakeshore!
A Few Merchant Updates
The Cathouse 
Arizmendi 
Shakewell
The Cathouse is teaming up with Miss Arepita for cocktails and Arepas to go! Available Fridays 3-7 pm and Saturdays 12-7 pm. Pre-order by direct message on instagram or call them at 10-879-6512
Shakewell is extending their hours until 8:30 pm (another hour of love!) — still closing at 8:00 pm during curfew. Last weekend, they brought back their Farmers Market Scramble with toast and their beloved French toast with buttermilk syrup and strawberries – check out what is in store they are doing for brunch these next few weekends (yum!).
Arizmendi now has hot pizza from 5:00-6:00 pm in addition to their light bakes.
Urban Indigo is online and available for curbside pickups (Father’s Day is around the corner!)
Silver Moon Kids has masks available for kids 3-6 years old (limited supply). Offering curbside pickups and local delivery.
Maribel is now doing curbside consignment as well as curbside pickup and local delivery.
Adventure Toys has a full store on their website and is offering $10 off your purchase of $60 or more. They also have curbside pickup.
Colonial Donuts is gearing up for National Donut Day on June 6th – save room for some spectacular donuts!
See the full list of open merchants, retail and services here. Only takeout, curbside and delivery is listed except for essential services.
Silver Moon Kids 
Urban Indigo 
Colonial Donuts
Giving Back
Free COVID-19 Testing
Oakland LGBTQ Center is having a COVID-19 TESTING DAY
The community is invited to test for FREE on Thursday, June 4th, 12pm-5pm. To register, please visit our website or call 510-882-2286.
Lakeshore Helping Healthcare and East Bay Feeder
Bardo 
Lin Jia 
Flipside
Lin Jia has prepared 40 meals every Monday during the month of May for our medical workers through Bill Fanning’s fundraiser with the neighbors of Lakeshore (Lakeshore Helping Health Care). They have continued to work with East Bay FeedER to provide meals for healthcare professionals around the East Bay!
Thank you Bardo Lounge and Supper Club, Rico Rico Taco and Flipside for your dedication and delicious meals for medical workers! East Bay FeedER continues to report feedback from many of their partner restaurants community donations make it possible for them to stay in place, stay in business, pay their employees, and be here when we open up again.
Thank you Proposition Chicken who is working every week delivering meals to frontline heroes with Meals to Heal the Bay Area! Thank you also to the generous community members who have donated
Movement Essential Workers
Thank you Hipline for offering a free live-streamed class for essential workers, offering such a needed outlet at a challenging time.
Closings
Namaste Yoga is closing on June 14, 2020 (please see their letter here). They have created a teacher team page for community members to continue to follow their teachers. Namaste Yoga has been a wonderful business and community gathering place for more than 16 years and we are sad to see them go.
Sprint is closing its physical location (Sprint has also merged with T-Mobile).
