11/04/2025
SUPPORT and maybe even save a Small Business this Holiday Season and ALWAYS.
I write today's newsletter in a state of anger, fear and exhaustion.
Yesterday, friends and colleagues of mine announced that they are closing at the end of this year.
It's at least the 5th such announcement I've heard this year and these are enterprises that had the appearance of thriving; national accolades, long lines, packed nights, a dedicated and focused following... and yet, here they are: at the end of the line.
Pardon me but SMALL BUSINESS IS SUPPOSED TO FU***NG WORK. In a fair and just economy and business landscape, they do work. They thrive and create jobs and make the communities they're in better. That's not what's available to us here in this nightmarish hellscape of late stage capitalism and I'm just crestfallen. I'm sorry for the heavy tone. And, I'm upset.
I'm worried that soon, all small businesses will be run away; crushed by debt, unable to scale or compete in the marketplace and soon everything will be a Chipotle, brightly-lit dispensary, Target or Bevmo.
That's not the world I want to live in. That's not the OAKLAND we all deserve.
In the interest of not only presenting a problem, the solution I've come up with is no surprise: UNITY. And there's no need to reinvent the wheel. I've found, in very limited research, a bevy of solutions.
if you're a small business owner, join a small business organization. If you're a community member who wants to get involved, contact your city council member or attend city council meetings and advocate for fair rents (across the board but specifically for commercial rents).
Here are more resources for my fellow small business owners. If you're facing closure, restructuring or other financial burden, I truly hope this can be a help:
Start Small Think Big: Connects small business owners with volunteer legal and financial experts.
ACCE (Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment): This organization has helped tenants in the past use community action to negotiate smaller rent increases.
Commercial Tenant Protection Act (SB 1103): Familiarize yourself with this new California law, which provides specific protections for certain small businesses (microenterprises, restaurants, nonprofits) regarding rent increases and lease terminations.
Legal Services for Entrepreneurs (LSE): Offered by organizations like the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the Bay Area (LCCRSF), these programs can offer free legal services or referrals for commercial tenant issues.
Neighborhood Business Assistance Program: Provides free help, resources, and consultations for small business owners in Oakland, including referrals for loans and grants.
Finally, if the only thing you have mental bandwidth to do is just be, that's ok too. If you can't make another call or pivot once again, that's totally fine.
And if you need an ear to bend, I'm truly here to chat.
I coined a phrase a little while ago, that i thought was cute at the time but now feels too true to not be sad: "entrepreneurotic leading to entrepreneurosis". But we're not neurotic. We're being driven crazy by a system designed for a very very few.
Not sure how to end this fulmination except to say: I love this town and the communities therein. I've stood in awe at what my contemporaries have been able to build and machinate out of nothing. We deserve to hold onto our art and ingenuity and I will fight for that forever.
In that vein, I want to remind folks that if you've lost your SNAP benefits recently, and even if you don't have those benefits but need a win/freebie/meal, we're giving away meals at Red Bay HQ today (Tuesday), Wednesday and Thursday from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm.
Meals are first come, first served and we'll try to continue doing this for as along as we can. Times are hard and this time of year can feel crushingly hard (as intended by the hoarding billionaire class). Hopefully this can be a little relief.
With love and eternally in community,
Chef Christina
Have Us Over for Dinner this Holiday Season! Preorder a Holiday Package from Us! (Pssst: Support a Small Biz!)
If you're able to and want to continue supporting small businesses, preorder a holiday package with us this year. We have some truly yummy menu items this year including:
• Parmesan-squash crisps with Meyer lemon raita
• Truffle Chicken Liver Mousse en Croute with cranberry-mandarin chutney
• Dungeness Crab Croquettes with pickled fennel chutney & dill-caviar creme fraîche
• Porchetta estilo mojo de ajo with ancient grains & smoked onions
• Roasted whole (jerk, curry or Modern Californian) birds: turkey, duck, chicken or guinea hen
• Whole roasted (jerk and Caribbean style) fish: snapper, trout, salmon and black cod
• The creamiest, dreamiest Southern with Caribbean touches fixins and sides
• Banana bread trifles, miso-sweet potato and key-lime pies, bread puddings and more!
• OLD WORLD wines from The Transparent Wines Co. (https://www.transparentwine.com/) portfolio, paired to compliment your package!
All of this to name a few of our specialty items this year.
Hit the 'book now' button below to personalize your package and get a quote today! Books close for Thanksgiving orders on November 21st, Books will reopen for Christmas on November 30th.
The relaunch of our trailer is this Friday & Saturday!
Join us and check out our new MOBILE BODEGA/ Grab & Go style of service! With yummy items like:
• Curry Goat or Callaloo patties (available only at the trailer)
• Spanish Tortillas (bar snack omelets)
• Caribbean Mac Salad
• Marinated Olives and The Caviar Co. roes and caviar
• Hibiscus Tea
• Bottled Pepper Sauces
& MORE!
These items are perfect for fridge or pantry stocking, snacking AND they make great gifts!
TPP at Humble Sea:
2350 Saratoga St.
Alameda, CA.
Have you seen our delicious Grab & Go options at Red Bay HQ?!
We're keeping the fridge at Red Bay HQ stocked with so many yummy goodies for you to enjoy on premise, at work or at home. Stop by for breakfast, lunch and even dinner munchies!
We're still here because of YOU!
THANK YOU.
With love,
Chef Christina
Click here for an update from The Pleasure Principle Supperclub & Dining Events!
