Economy
Richmond Flea Market vendors recover from the pandemic, but now a new fear is keeping customers away
It’s an empty parking lot on weekdays but on weekends, this deserted piece of industrial land to the city’s north turns into the Richmond Flea Market. Traditionally, it’s where families come to have a meal, kids ride the miniature train, and everyone walks through the five rows of stalls shopping for everything from second-hand gadgets to power tools and trinkets from all over Latin America. But on Oct. 26, the Sunday after the Trump administration called threatened immigration raids in…
Hundreds of people gathered Saturday at Nicholl Park for the 39th annual Harmony Walk, which aimed to raise $75,000 for the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program to provide hot meals to people in need. The goal represents a $15,000 increase over funds collected last year, as demand for food has grown in the area and is expected to grow even more, because of Trump administration changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that will push many recipients off the rolls. “Our…
It’s nearly noon, and a line of around 50 people is wrapped around the gated parking lot of the Bay Area Rescue Mission’s food pantry in Richmond’s Iron Triangle. Most people have empty bags, some have shopping carts, but all have a laminated number card in hand, denoting their place in line. Those at the front of the line have been waiting for five hours on this Tuesday in October, and the tables laden with food, blankets, hygiene items and…
Dozens of community members gathered at Richmond Memorial Auditorium Wednesday to imagine Richmond’s economic future, expressing concerns about economic hardship, pollution and a lack of community spaces. The event is part of a series called “Our Future Economy,” which the UC Berkeley Othering & Belonging Institute is hosting along with the mayor’s office to devise ways to transform the economy for communities, workers and climate well-being. Othering & Belonging says on its website that Richmond was selected for a number…
As the sun dips below the horizon in Richmond, the Chevron refinery’s tall columns cast long shadows against the dusky sky. At a Chevron station on West Cutting Boulevard, David Stanford mutters as he fills his tank. “It makes zero sense. We are half a mile from the refinery, and gas prices are still $5 a gallon,” he said. “It’s not sustainable for normal people. Hard working people cannot afford the gas right now. It’s ridiculous.” It’s a thought echoed…
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…
District 1 City Council candidates fielded questions Wednesday night on quality-of-life issues ranging from public safety and clean streets to economic development and how to spend the $550 million windfall the city is set to receive from Chevron. About 50 people attended the candidates’ night at CoBiz Richmond, hosted by the media outlets Richmond Confidential, Richmondside, The Contra Costa Pulse and El Tímpano. Journalists and residents asked Jamelia Brown, Mark Wassberg and incumbent Melvin Willis how they would promote business…
A lawsuit was filed late Friday against the West Contra Costa Unified School District for teacher vacancies and other alleged violations of student rights. This is the first lawsuit the district faces under the 2004 landmark Williams v. California case, which established students’ rights to books, qualified teachers and safe schools, among other things. It was filed in Contra Costa County court by San Francisco firms Public Advocates and Munger, Tolles & Olson, after the district failed to address issues…
Over 200 people had signed in at the career fair within 30 minutes of its opening at the Richmond Convention Center on Wednesday afternoon. The large auditorium buzzed with the chatter of job-seekers mingling with recruiters from 50 companies and organizations. “We’re very excited and appreciative that so many people showed up, for this to be our first one since the pandemic,” said Tamara Walker, deputy community services director for the city’s Employment & Training Department, which hosted the fair. …