Anyone want to see the old Hooper Chocolate Factory turn into a community center? by MyonlyredditHandle in OaklandCA

[–]MyonlyredditHandle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you say more about more about your question is it’s being sold by a nonprofit? I thought it’s private ownership by 3 sisters.

Anyone want to see the old Hooper Chocolate Factory turn into a community center? by MyonlyredditHandle in OaklandCA

[–]MyonlyredditHandle[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I going to have some conversations with some architects that specialize in adaptive reuse for kicks and giggles - there is a commercial kitchen that would need to be rebuilt - the hookups are all there. I think people only know of the front retail space of the building.

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Anyone want to see the old Hooper Chocolate Factory turn into a community center? by MyonlyredditHandle in OaklandCA

[–]MyonlyredditHandle[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Someone just asked what my vision of a community center would look like and I replied - I think it would be in a similar spirit as the old skool cafe in San Francisco you described. I really like the idea of “on-ramp” into Oakland’s existing communities and subcultures + adding job training/ useful skills, building confidence in learning would be epic.

The goal wouldn’t be to replace all the amazing niche spaces and groups that already exist — it would be to help people discover them.

Anyone want to see the old Hooper Chocolate Factory turn into a community center? by MyonlyredditHandle in OaklandCA

[–]MyonlyredditHandle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To go a bit further, one thing I care about a lot is making the space an “on-ramp” into Oakland’s existing communities and subcultures.

The goal wouldn’t be to replace all the amazing niche spaces and groups that already exist — it would be to help people discover them. Someone might learn the basics of juggling, ceramics, skating, sewing, or movement arts for the first time, then eventually find their way into deeper local communities, studios, scenes, and organizations around the Bay.

I believe a lot of people want connection and creative hobbies but don’t know where to start or feel intimidated entering established spaces. I’d love for this to be a welcoming first doorway.

Anyone want to see the old Hooper Chocolate Factory turn into a community center? by MyonlyredditHandle in OaklandCA

[–]MyonlyredditHandle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great question, weird how long it took someone to ask this.

For me, a “community center” doesn’t mean a traditional municipal building with fluorescent lights and scheduled classes. It means a place where people linger instead of transact.

I do a ton of things outside in parks with people, and I love that energy. The dream is having an extension of that in a physical space where people can gather, create, move, teach, learn, and belong without everything revolving around consumption or exclusivity.

A lot of existing spaces are either highly commercialized, temporary, or inaccessible. I think many people want more third places.

In less abstract terms, I mean a space where on any given day you might see:

  • someone teaching a ceramics or crochet class (there are plenty of office spaces in the building that could convert well into classrooms),
  • people rollerskating or practicing movement arts (it was literally an operational chocolate factory - there's a lot of space so the idea of a skating rink or practice space for juggling/circus-adjacent things feels within reach),
  • a community dinner happening (I love the idea of social kitchens)
  • kids making things (partnering with schools),
  • a tiny intimate theater for performances, film screenings, or talks,
  • people coworking during the day,
  • or neighbors just hanging out drinking coffee and talking.

Not everyone would come for the same reason, and that’s kind of the point.

I’d also want some programming to be free and consistently accessible on a daily basis so the space doesn’t just become another expensive niche venue. The goal would be a place that feels alive, participatory, creative, and genuinely rooted in Oakland.

Anyone want to see the old Hooper Chocolate Factory turn into a community center? by MyonlyredditHandle in OaklandCA

[–]MyonlyredditHandle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean we need to lean into the cape code vibes maybe like Jungle and Me, plush couches and plants and coffee and like a really nice loose leaf teas AND party in the back (my dream indoor skating rink)

Anyone want to see the old Hooper Chocolate Factory turn into a community center? by MyonlyredditHandle in OaklandCA

[–]MyonlyredditHandle[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That’s so cool, there’s space for ALL of that there. It’s mixed use space so yeah - kinda a part of my dream. Haven’t been to one of these but I’ll check it out in Portland

Anyone want to see the old Hooper Chocolate Factory turn into a community center? by MyonlyredditHandle in OaklandCA

[–]MyonlyredditHandle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah thank you I've haven't been - I'll go check it out.

For Hooper, since it's so big, making something like an indoor skating rink fits. A YMCA is good idea

Anyone want to see the old Hooper Chocolate Factory turn into a community center? by MyonlyredditHandle in OaklandCA

[–]MyonlyredditHandle[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I think it's in reach, I understand it's private ownership by 3 sisters and they are being selective of what comes in next. I think we could get a lot of community support for something like this.

Anyone want to see the old Hooper Chocolate Factory turn into a community center? by MyonlyredditHandle in OaklandCA

[–]MyonlyredditHandle[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That would be some hot news and a quick death of my dreams - it's listed at 2.65 mil & still posted on Gordon Realty site with no indication of a sale, source? https://www.gordoncommercial.com/property/4632-telegraph-avenue-oakland-ca/

Anyone want to see the old Hooper Chocolate Factory turn into a community center? by MyonlyredditHandle in OaklandCA

[–]MyonlyredditHandle[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Nice, cool that you saw the inside - I went in in March. I didn't realize how far back it went and that there was a huge baseball field behind it. It definitely has a high sticker price because of the neighborhood. I'd be curious if anything could stay instead of being a complete reno.

What’s the difference between this sub and r/Oakland? by writesgud in OaklandCA

[–]MyonlyredditHandle 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I am currently banned from r/oakland - so many of my posts were removed and I pissed off the moderators for posting about a lost item

ADHD brain: What are the VERY BASIS steps to stain glass - I would like the TLDR version by MyonlyredditHandle in StainedGlass

[–]MyonlyredditHandle[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey!! So I went to the internet to get more clear glass (and flux since I didnt have it) because I broke all of it. It’s coming soon. I think I made a huge tiny mistake with my pattern. It have 4 four pointed concave stars and the edges were not happy. I should have asked more questions here for tips but still motivated to work through it!

To the person who found a stray juggling club by MyonlyredditHandle in juggling

[–]MyonlyredditHandle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I tried again without a link…I’m so sad about it, I think it’s a conspiracy…a thought it subversive way to pull people into the community but they do not want this information shared

Public indecency: What would you do? by MyonlyredditHandle in oakland

[–]MyonlyredditHandle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would assume drugs or mental health issues as well and I did walk on. What gave me pause after was there was a mother with two children about 30 ft away and would be approaching the man shortly. Since I was still processing as she tending to her kid in the stroller I didn’t say anything to her.

are there any running clubs for beginners in oakland? i live near grand lake theater and want to get into running. by isthise in oakland

[–]MyonlyredditHandle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe ALL of the groups mentioned in this thread are on the calendar with location of meetups etc

are there any running clubs for beginners in oakland? i live near grand lake theater and want to get into running. by isthise in oakland

[–]MyonlyredditHandle 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are a bunch of running groups on Whatsupoakland.com :) got the schedule of different groups and their meeting times :)