Sacramento in the mid-2000’s began a bit of a renaissance with the arrival of former Bay Area residents pushed East by rising housing prices. As housing prices soared in Midtown, Downtown and in East Sacramento, folks turned towards the outer suburbs and communities like Oak Park. Still existing in the community of Oak Park were long-term residents with over one hundred years of history that have suffered the crime and economic decline.
An ambitious project sponsored by the St. Hope Development Company, included the 40 Acres Art and Cultural Center, located in a century-old building in the heart of the old business district. Another tenant in this development is the corporate giant, STARBUCKS.
Yes, Starbucks-- that ubiquitous coffee icon that in the last 20 years has spread faster than the plague and even McDonald’s. As a rule, I tend to avoid Starbucks and seek out independent cafés and tea shops to patronize. The Starbucks in Oak Park, however, is an exception. It borrowed from the Magic Johnson business model by partnering and branding it with St. Hope founder and former N.B.A. star, Kevin Johnson. At the time of its opening, I lived in another part of Sacramento, but I began to frequent the Oak Park Starbucks and other 40 Acres businesses in an effort to support the community and further educate myself on its history.
Last week, Starbucks announced another round of store closings, which includes the Oak Park location. It has emerged as a central gathering spot for the community. Long-time residents, Sac High students and staff, new home owners, McGeorge Law School students, community leaders and others, gather at the Starbucks daily for an untold number of reasons.
It serves as one of, if not, the only location in the neighborhood, where all members of the community can gather in a safe and communal environment. I live a few blocks away and wonder what will take its place to bring hope back into the community. Yes, the coffee shop brings hope, as a drug free, crime free zone that demonstrates the positive aspects of future development in the community.
It is time for the community to rally and petition Starbucks to reconsider closing the store. Kevin Johnson is now our mayor, and I hope his sights are still trained on 5th and Broadway, by seeking solutions to save or replace this center piece to our “town square.”
Link below to petition to save the North Oak Park Starbucks
http://www.inmycommunity.com/imc_joomla/index.php?option=com_chronocontact&chronoformname=Starbucks
An ambitious project sponsored by the St. Hope Development Company, included the 40 Acres Art and Cultural Center, located in a century-old building in the heart of the old business district. Another tenant in this development is the corporate giant, STARBUCKS.
Yes, Starbucks-- that ubiquitous coffee icon that in the last 20 years has spread faster than the plague and even McDonald’s. As a rule, I tend to avoid Starbucks and seek out independent cafés and tea shops to patronize. The Starbucks in Oak Park, however, is an exception. It borrowed from the Magic Johnson business model by partnering and branding it with St. Hope founder and former N.B.A. star, Kevin Johnson. At the time of its opening, I lived in another part of Sacramento, but I began to frequent the Oak Park Starbucks and other 40 Acres businesses in an effort to support the community and further educate myself on its history.
Last week, Starbucks announced another round of store closings, which includes the Oak Park location. It has emerged as a central gathering spot for the community. Long-time residents, Sac High students and staff, new home owners, McGeorge Law School students, community leaders and others, gather at the Starbucks daily for an untold number of reasons.
It serves as one of, if not, the only location in the neighborhood, where all members of the community can gather in a safe and communal environment. I live a few blocks away and wonder what will take its place to bring hope back into the community. Yes, the coffee shop brings hope, as a drug free, crime free zone that demonstrates the positive aspects of future development in the community.
It is time for the community to rally and petition Starbucks to reconsider closing the store. Kevin Johnson is now our mayor, and I hope his sights are still trained on 5th and Broadway, by seeking solutions to save or replace this center piece to our “town square.”
Link below to petition to save the North Oak Park Starbucks
http://www.inmycommunity.com/imc_joomla/index.php?option=com_chronocontact&chronoformname=Starbucks
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