Business
On a warm Sunday morning in November, Chao Dun, his wife Yumi Yan, and their toddler stroll through the Farmers Market at Marina Bay Park, where fresh vegetables are minutes away from their home. As Dun checks out tasty treats and colorful produce, Yen takes their son to the kid’s play area, offered every second Sunday at the farmers market. “The prices are comparable and affordable for organic fruits and produce,” Dun said. “And it’s not just a market, it’s…
A measure on the November ballot will ask San Pablo voters if they support a tax on marijuana businesses. If it passes, Measure M would prompt local lawmakers to begin the process of permitting cannabis businesses, which are currently illegal. Several neighboring cities, including Richmond and El Cerrito, have passed similar measures and adopted ordinances allowing cannabis businesses. If Measure M passes, it will amend San Pablo’s business license tax ordinance to include an additional tax of up to 7%…
For some who go to a bookstore, it’s mostly to browse or to quickly pick up that bestseller that a friend told them to check out. For book lovers, though, a bookstore is more. It is a place to escape whatever is going on, to get lost in a world that for a short time is better than their reality. Even if they don’t leave the store with anything, it still provided the safe haven they needed. This is a…
Are you ready for a culinary adventure? Beginning Monday, Richmond’s Economic Development Commission is putting on the annual culinary fest “Taste of Richmond,” and the event is getting a makeover. In the past, Taste of Richmond invited restaurants to gather in a central location to present their food to the public — an undertaking that required restaurants to provide additional staff, ingredients, supplies, equipment and marketing. Some board members, like EDC Chair Diana Wear, questioned how effective this model was…
Drag queens danced through the crowd as families picnicked and children mingled with chickens, goats and rabbits at El Sobrante’s inaugural Pride celebration in La Moine Park on Sunday. The event also featured music by DJ Page Hodel, vendors from the business committee and information about resources offered through area nonprofits. Hundreds of people watched drag performances from Viva Commotion, Summer Lynn Spears, Angel De Vil and Ash N Tell Starlight, singing crowd favorites such as Kesha’s “We Are Who…
This story was reported and published in a collaboration between Richmond Confidential and Richmondside. Najari Smith, co-founder and co-owner of Rich City Rides Cooperative Inc., reported to police on Jan. 13 that he walked into the bike co-op on Macdonald Avenue in Richmond and found thousands of dollars of merchandise missing. In the following days, he gave media interviews about the reported theft and started collecting donations through a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $200,000 for the beloved neighborhood shop….
The Richmond Work Experience Program is accepting applications for 2024-2025, giving young people job experience and help with career building. What was the Summer Youth Employment Program now offers more opportunities. Richmond YouthWORKS is collaborating with about 164 work sites to give Richmond residents between 16 and 24 years old the opportunity to work up to 300 hours at $17.20 per hour. In 2021, the City Council approved a $1.9 million increase in funding for YouthWORKS as part of the…
Richmond voters will be asked in November to decide whether the city should impose a refinery tax on Chevron as a way to address pollution. City Council unanimously approved the ballot measure Tuesday, citing concerns about the city’s budget deficit, poor air quality and worsening health conditions. Council member Doria Robinson was absent. “What we need is that they pay their fair share so we have the means and resources,” council member Claudia Jiménez said before the vote. The proposed…
If you’re a California homeowner, it may be time to take a look at your insurance policy. After seven major insurance companies have restricted their business dealings in the state, policy holders are footing an exceedingly expensive bill. At Richmond’s Atchison Village, residents found that out the hard way. “Six weeks ago, we just thought we were going to redo our insurance,” said Ronald Kane, president of the Atchison Village Mutual Homes Corp. board. But when the time came to…