Takeout Tuesday: Nash and Tender

Posted on July 28, 2020 by digitalgear

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https://www.facebook.com/152150884082/videos/677931916122806

How well can you handle spice? If your answer is not well at all, EXTREMELY well, or anywhere in between, then you’ve got to try Nash and Tender (if you haven’t already)! Known for their delicious hot chicken, you can choose varying levels of heat all the way up to “XTRA HOT” and “STUPID HOT” (but you’ll need to sign a waiver for the latter). Don’t forget to add a side of their seasoned fries for a match made in heaven!

Skip the line and wait by placing an online order through Clover, or stay in your PJs and place a delivery order through DoorDash or Postmates. To stay updated on specials and news, visit the Nash and Tender website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

LOCATION: 222 N. El Dorado Street
OPEN: Mon-Fri, 10am-8pm & Sat-Sun, 11am-8pm

Takeout Tuesday: The Downtowner

Posted on July 23, 2020 by digitalgear

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https://www.facebook.com/downtownstockton/videos/1394222907444015/

The Downtowner specializes in serving up Good Mood Food with a smile! What is Good Mood Food you ask? It’s comfort food with a healthy twist! From delicious and unique dishes to vegetarian and gluten-free options, there’s something for everyone at The Downtowner!

Place an order for takeout, call to place an order for pickup, or relax at home while your meal gets delivered to you (if you have trouble deciding what to order, we just want you to know that the Taco Salad featured in the video above was amazing). If you need to feed your entire family, The Downtowner’s family-style meals are the way to go!

To stay updated on specials and news, visit The Downtowner’s website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram. You can also learn more about The Downtowner in our past blog.

LOCATION: 40 N. Center Street
OPEN: Mon-Fri, 10am- 6pm

You Don’t Have to Wear A Cape To Protect Others, Just Wear A Mask

Posted on July 22, 2020 by digitalgear

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Today, there are over 400,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in California, and 8,000 confirmed cases in San Joaquin County alone. As scientists and medical professionals work to develop a vaccine to combat the virus, local and state governments are encouraging and implementing safety guidelines in efforts to slow the spread of the highly infectious disease. The guidelines include social distancing, limiting gatherings to small groups, and wearing face masks or face coverings in public settings.

Why Should We Wear Face Masks?

Before 2020, we weren’t used to seeing people outside of the medical community regularly wearing masks. Today, face masks are common and oftentimes even required to enter indoor public spaces.

Some may question the effectiveness of face masks in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Dr. Maggie Park, MD, the Public Health Officer for San Joaquin County Public Health Services, addresses these concerns. She states, “I do believe the science at this point supports the use of facial coverings, and that even cloth facial coverings can be effective if worn by a majority of people in the community.” She recommends that, “people wear facial coverings or masks if they have them whenever they are out and about and they’re going to be within 6 feet of other people.”

Do Face Masks Help Us or the People Around Us?

COVID-19 is highly infectious and spreads from person to person though exposure to respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or even talking. Wearing a face covering can block these droplets from entering your nose and mouth. In fact, several case reports suggest that masks can prevent transmission of the virus in high-risk situations. For instance, a man on a flight with a dry cough later tested positive for COVID-19. Fortunately, none of the 25 people closest to him on the flight tested positive because he wore a mask during the flight.

There is also enough evidence to suggest that wearing a mask can protect the wearer from contracting COVID-19. This is because masks can prevent larger droplets from evaporating into smaller droplets that can travel farther, essentially serving as “source control.” In summary, face masks and face coverings are beneficial both to the people wearing them and the people around them.

Whether they’re blue, green, patterned, or fashioned out of an old scarf, it’s important that we remember to stay safe and mask up when visiting public spaces. Living through a pandemic can be tough, but we’re all in this together.

*A sign outside of the Casa Flores Restaurant in Downtown Stockton.*

Visit Stockton’s Stockton Healthy Pledge

The Stockton Healthy Pledge is a pledge that local businesses can take to show their commitment in doing everything in their power to provide and maintain clean and healthy conditions for their employees and visitors. Taking the Stockton Healthy Pledge means the business pledges to:

Abide by all orders and directives issued by governmental and public health officials
Enhance employee protocols including increased regular education, hand washing, sanitation efforts and social distancing
Clean and disinfect high-tough surfaces frequently, per CDC and Local Health Officials
Require and/or encourage the use of face coverings by staff and customers
Reduce occupancy in common spaces to ensure compliance with CDC and State social distancing guidelines
Encourage customer hand sanitizing and hand-washing, as available

Take the Stockton Healthy Pledge here.

Put Cast Iron Trading Co. on Your List of Restaurants to Visit Soon!

Posted on July 10, 2020 by digitalgear

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By Jessica Nguyen

If you live in Stockton, chances are you’ve been to or have at least heard of Cast Iron Trading Co. (and if you haven’t, here’s your chance!). Since it’s addition to the downtown community three and a half years ago, Cast Iron has continued to serve up both delicious specials and good vibes. It’s hard not to notice the positive energy in the space brought on by the friendly staff, happy customers, and local performers. If you’re interested in dining in an amiable climate complete with live music and craft beer (and of course great food- burgers and brussels sprout tacos, anyone?), this is the place for you!

About the Owner

Eric Lee, Stockton native and owner of Cast Iron, shares that he has always had a love for food and cooking- in fact, he describes his entire family as “foodies.” Before becoming a business owner, he worked in restaurants and soon after had the idea of bringing pop-ups to downtown. In fact, Eric explained that he and his business partner were among the first to introduce pop-ups to Stockton. They quickly gained traction and solidified a name for themselves within the community by setting up as a vendor at the Stockmarket, a Stockton marketplace that offers handmade crafts, live music, and street food. After that, they decided to turn their cart “into a full-time gig.”

Why Downtown Stockton?

During his experience as a street food vendor at the Stockmarket, Eric started seeing, “a lot of movement and blooming potential [in the area].” It’s true that downtown may have some challenges, he says, but he acknowledges the community’s contagiously positive energy in their efforts to revitalize the downtown area, and wanted to be a part of it. What else does Eric love about downtown? He enthusiastically cites the architectural history and unique infrastructure of its buildings.

What Makes Cast Iron Unique?

It’s a given that Cast Iron serves up some amazing dishes and that their, “craft beer is easily the best in Stockton!” However, there’s another key feature that makes this restaurant unique: its commitment, enthusiasm, and connection to the local arts. From the vibrant interior decor designed by local artists to the local musicians who enliven space with their performances, Cast Iron is committed to supporting local artists and in doing so, emphasizes the importance of community.

How Can We Support Cast Iron Trading Co. Amidst the Pandemic?

Because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, Cast Iron’s priority is to be “cautious for our staff and community.” Thus, they’ve reduced their indoor capacity to adhere to CDC guidelines. However, this doesn’t mean you have to put off your visit because we’ve got some GREAT news— Cast Iron recently got the go-ahead to convert the alleyway adjacent to their restaurant into an outside dining area! The space is newly adorned with new paint, greenery, furniture, shady umbrellas, and decorative string lights that tie it all together (don’t be shy, we know you want to come see it!).

Cast Iron is currently open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings for dinner (4pm–10pm) and Sundays (from 10am–3pm) for brunch. They’ve also recently reintroduced Friday night live music in their new alley space! Eric is considering booking musicians for Saturdays too, and is also currently eyeing the possibility of putting on a couple pop-up events in July. Follow Cast Iron on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated! Also, if you’re a musician interested in performing, feel free to reach out to Cast Iron on social media (and no, mayonnaise is not an instrument).

To sum it up, Cast Iron has great food, a great atmosphere, and of course, GREAT beer- what more could you want? See you there! 🙂

FarOut Foliage

Posted on June 19, 2020December 9, 2024 by digitalgear

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Passionate about plants? Then you’re not going to beLEAF this—Downtown Stockton is welcoming FarOut Foliage, a new shop for plant enthusiasts searching for beautiful, rare and unique plants! If you’re not a plant person, don’t worry—they’ll definitely GROW on you. BRANCH out during your downtown excursions and add FarOut Foliage to your list of shops to visit (sorry about the plant puns, we think they’re really FERNY.) 🙂

Meet Netzel Huffhines, Plant Extraordinaire

Netzel Huffhines, the enthusiastic and friendly owner of FarOut Foliage, is passionate about sharing her love of plants with others. Her love for greenery was sparked years ago after her husband gifted her a Lucky Bamboo plant—this was the plant that started it all. Since then, she’s amassed an impressive personal collection of nearly 300 different plants!

Before moving the shop to Downtown Stockton earlier this year, Netzel managed her own FarOut Foliage Kiosk at the Weberstown Mall. It was here that she realized there were, “so many plant people in Stockton—I can’t believe it!” She shared that there was “always a really good vibe around my [her] kiosk,” and she was successfully able to build a supportive clientele base during her time there.

Even though Netzel’s husband raises his eyebrows from time to time at Netzel sneaking more plants into their home, she lovingly shares that he was the one who encouraged her to start FarOut Foliage. The idea grew on her (no pun intended here) because with the exception of floral shops, “Stockton has little to nothing when it comes to plants.” She also acknowledged the current plant craze trend, with millennials making up a large percentage of emerging plant enthusiasts (succulents, anyone?). So, Netzel decided to create, “a place where you can find plants—rare plants.”

Inside FarOut Foliage, looking onto Market Street.

Why Downtown Stockton?

Netzel was aware of efforts to revitalize Downtown Stockton, and thought to herself, “I totally want to be part of this movement!” She decided to bring her vibrant shop downtown and become part of the Downtown Stockton community. Her green shop will add a new and exciting pop of color and plant life to downtown.

Located at 239 Market St., Netzel intended to open FarOut Foliage on April 3rd, but the COVID-19 Pandemic changed these plans. Now that restrictions have started to lift, she’s planning on opening up the shop soon, but an official date has yet to be determined! Make sure to follow FarOut Foliage on Instagram (@Farout_Foliage) to stay updated on the date of their grand opening!

What Makes FarOut Foliage unique?

Whether you’re a plant pro or a new plant parent, all are welcome at FarOut Foliage! Netzel views every client as a friend and loves to connect with others who adore plants just as much as she does. She’s excited to share tips and tricks to successfully growing and maintaining the beautiful green corners in your home (or in your backyard.. or in your front yard). Netzel’s plants are so in demand that she’s recently been fulfilling numerous orders for Eucalyptus plants. If you’re a beginner, she suggests that you start out with a little one first!

How can we support FarOut Foliage during this time?

Until FarOut Foliage officially opens, the best way to support this new business is by following a couple social media accounts! Learn more about unique plant species Netzel shares on Instagram at @FarOut_Foliage, and place plant orders at FaroutFoliageUS on etsy.com.

Whether you want to own your very own cactus, eucalyptus, succulent, or something a little more daring—drop by FarOut Foliage to add or start your green collection—we’re ROOTING for you!

“Chairing” is Caring: A Look Into J. Rusten Furniture Studio

Posted on May 22, 2020 by digitalgear

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By Jessica Nguyen

J. Rusten Furniture Studio in Downtown Stockton is a place where woodwork is brought to life. Jared Rusten, founder, owner, and creative mind behind (and in!) the studio, utilizes rare and natural materials to handcraft unique furniture pieces that effortlessly elevate any space they’re placed in. Jared’s talents are so recognized that he was even featured on Buzzfeed’s “Worth It” series. We wanted to know more about the man behind the popular California-shaped table and his studio, so we asked him a couple questions.

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

“I grew up in San Jose, CA in the 80’s and 90’s, skateboarding, playing in bands, and generally trying to create as much cool stuff as I could⁠—whether that meant hammering together ramps or fussing over craft projects to try and get a girl’s attention. Pursuing education and opportunities, I’ve lived in Arizona, Los Angeles (where I did most of my woodworking apprenticeship), New York, Oakland, and San Francisco. Along the way, I exhibited furniture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, built a bar with an architect friend while also teaching woodworking in Brooklyn, and got to work on a variety of interesting projects for movies, companies like Google and Levi’s, and for many cool clients who have become friends. In 2015, my wife Emily and I weren’t enjoying living in San Francisco any longer. We were tired of paying SF rents, and we wanted to find a community that we could contribute more to. We found Stockton, purchased a 100-year old warehouse building downtown, and moved the design studio here while we continue to slowly renovate the building.”

2. How did your passion for woodworking start? Where do you get inspiration for your pieces?

“My first exposure to “fine woodworking” as a teenager was watching PBS shows like The Woodwright’s Shop, and The New Yankee Workshop. I started checking books out from the library about woodworking, timber-frame construction, and Japanese joinery. There was barely any Internet at the time, and Youtube was still 10 years away, so most of my initial education came from books and bothering older craftspeople with lots of questions.”

“I knew my career was going to be something creative and design related, and the further I got into the craft, the more I knew there was nothing else I would be happy doing than to explore form and utility with wood as a primary medium. My early pieces were mostly inspired by the joinery-heavy work of Japanese temple builders and the luminaries of the American Arts & Crafts movement like Greene & Greene. But, in the early 2000’s my aesthetic shifted to a cleaner, more “modern” style where the wood is allowed to demand more attention than the way it is put together. These days, I try to pair compelling silhouettes with pretty wood—most of it salvaged from local hardwood trees that had to be taken down for whatever reason. Some of my favorite pieces were built from walnut orchard trees that had outlived their nut-producing years.”

3. What are a few of your favorite pieces/which are you most proud of?

“Even though it’s not the most technically demanding piece, I have to acknowledge my series of California-shaped tables for paying the rent for many years. For a long time, I sold at least one or two a month. But, it’s probably the “Modern Rocking Chair” that I’m currently the most proud of. Each one takes almost a month to build, and its design and construction engages all the skills that I have developed over the last 20 years. It’s really more like a piece of functional sculpture than just a chair, but there’s no way to say that without sounding pretentious.”

To explore these (and other) pieces, visit: jrusten.com

4. What was it like to be featured in Buzzfeed’s “Worth It” series?

“Honestly, I wasn’t familiar with Buzzfeed’s programming or it’s “Worth It” series when they called me. I was a little dubious since my rocking chair was going to be featured as the highest priced option, which is often reserved for some pretty obnoxious, ridiculously opulent things. And, I knew some people would consider my chair ridiculously opulent, and obnoxiously priced. But, I thought the editing was very complimentary and the entire Buzzfeed team could not have been more cool or fun to spend an afternoon with. After the shoot, I was stoked to tell the hosts and production staff a little more about Stockton while we walked down to Cast Iron Trading Co. to enjoy a great lunch.”

Watch the video!

5. Why did you choose Downtown Stockton for the location for your studio?

“When Emily and I were looking for a place to settle outside of San Francisco, we had a set of criteria and Stockton checked all the boxes. Some of these were:

Not too big, not too small⁠—with a walkable downtown.
Affordable enough to buy a property.
Warm summer nights (we were tired of the fog and chilly year-round wind in SF).
A rich history, with lots of remaining historical structures.
A welcoming attitude among local folks.
Opportunities to get involved in the community.
Close proximity to a variety of different California landscapes⁠—the delta, vineyards, Sierras, foothills, etc.”

“The other thing that really excited us about Downtown Stockton was the sense that it was a blank canvas. The downtown felt like it had been abandoned by most Stocktonians years earlier⁠—leaving a playground of civic potential. We’re definitely proud that we have been able to take a derelict, ugly, boarded-up warehouse and contribute at least one better-looking property to the landscape of the city.”

6. What do you like most about Downtown Stockton? What are your favorite lunch and coffee spots?

“I think the scale of Downtown Stockton is perfect. From our studio we can easily walk to the waterfront, the arena, two great theaters, tailors, painting supply stores, dry cleaners, and a bunch of great restaurants. And, I love seeing all the vintage architectural details that remain. We appreciate all of the businesses that have chosen downtown⁠—both the legacy businesses and the friends who’ve opened in the last few years like Cast Iron, Trail Coffee, The Deliberation Room, etc. We try to spread out patronage among all of them as best we can.”

Although Jared’s studio isn’t open to the public, feel free to email him at [email protected] to set up an appointment if you’re interested in seeing or purchasing any of his pieces. Additionally, you can view and learn more about them on his Instagram account: @jrusten.

Port City Mercantile

Posted on May 18, 2020 by digitalgear

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By Jordan Rosales

Discovering his passion

Although he moved here from Hollister when he was 20, Theodore Armendariz considers Stockton his one true home and feels lucky to be part of the Downtown Stockton community. Theodore’s road to becoming a business owner hasn’t been an easy one. About four years ago he was suffering from depression and turned to alcohol to help him cope. His alcoholism had already caused him to lose two jobs when he started working for his friend, Danny Burgess. Burgess told him he would also have to fire him but offered to take him to rehab and help him turn his life around. Looking back, Theodore now recognizes that Danny’s tough love is what helped save his life and without the support of Danny and his wife Chris, he’s not sure he’d even be alive today. After he left rehab, he moved in with his parents who were extremely supportive of his recovery and fundamental to his success. It was while living with his parents that he developed his love of creating art. His mom was always a collector of antiques and he started noticing that her collectibles were falling apart. This led him to coming up with creative ways to fix her antiques and sketching up ideas on how to repurpose them. He then started creating pieces of his own. Creating art saved his life, it helped him stay sober, and gave him a creative and positive outlet for his soul.

Sharing his art

Once he started posting his art to Instagram, it really started taking off. People would message him asking to buy his pieces which led him to selling at the Stockmarket and eventually setting up his own store. Port City Mercantile opened its doors for the first time in late January this year. Theodore sells unique, one-of-a kind pieces of furniture, like lamps and tables, and art made from upcycled and recycled material. He scours flea markets, garage sales, and everything in between for his materials and turns them into special creations. Because of this no two pieces are ever the same. One of Theodore’s core beliefs is that we should always be giving back, whether it be to our community or earth which is why he uses the materials he does. He utilizes what he already has instead of buying new materials and creating more waste, going on to say “the earth already has so many great materials to work with. The earth is good to us so we should be good to it.” Theodore gets his inspiration from his surroundings and by taking note of what’s missing in people’s lives. He hopes his art can act as conversation pieces in people’s homes. Noting that it’s hard to have a conversation about an Ikea lamp that everyone has, but it’s easy to talk about a unique piece of art that you are proud to own.

Like all non-essential businesses, Port City Mercantile is closed right now but will be open as soon as it is safe to do so. When we’re able to gather again, Theodore plans to host community events like open mic nights and art shows for other artists as another way to give back to the community.

Supporting the community

Theodore said he knew Downtown Stockton was the perfect place because he always loved an underdog. He wanted to start his business in a place that was under-utilized and do his part to help develop it. He went on to say that Stockton is a growing place and it really reminds him of San Francisco in many ways. His philosophy is that you can’t complain about an area if you’re not going to actively try and make it a better place, further clarifying that, “People always complain that there’s nothing to do. There’s plenty to do here but you actually have to go out and do it, it’s not gonna just come to you.” But perhaps most importantly he loves the community that he’s in, specifically shouting out Red’s Coffee and Golden Rose Barber. “Stockton shaped me into a more cultural person because of how diverse it is. It feels like a small town but it’s still a city, like a mini San Francisco.” Theodore is extremely passionate about the Downtown Stockton community and hopes the current situation will help it thrive when businesses are up and running again. His advice was, “Right now is showing us the importance of small business, if you buy from amazon, you’re just making a billionaire richer. We should support each other now more than ever. We need to keep supporting local even after this, learn from this and don’t go back to the way we were. We can build a stronger community and be better than ever. It’s really a numbers game, if more people shop downtown less people will be afraid to check it out. Like they say, if you bring light into the darkness the evil will go away.”

Theodore believes that sharing his story is important because there’s such a stigma around alcoholism that tends to force people not to talk about it. He hopes his ability to live openly can help at least one person speak out and seek the help they need because sometimes people don’t even know how to ask for help themselves. He wants to show that you can move forward and find healthy outlets like he has with his art.

Fast 3

What animal do you think represents the essence of Downtown Stockton?

A lone wolf because we were kind of abandoned. They developed everywhere else like Weston Ranch and 8 Mile but they should’ve started here and built from the inside out.

Describe Downtown Stockton in one word

Inspiring

What’s your favorite downtown eatery?

Cast Iron

Notes

Check out Theodroe’s work on Instagram at @Art_By_Theodore

Theodore plans on changing the store’s name from Port City Mercantile to Theodore’s Mercantile in June when he renews his business license.

Come Get A Taste of Downtown at the Downtowner!

Posted on May 8, 2020 by digitalgear

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By Jessica Nguyen

The Downtowner is located in—you guessed it!—our very own Downtown Stockton! Not only does its name fit perfectly into its location at 40 N. Sutter Street, but so does its friendly atmosphere and incredibly delicious food items! The Downtowner specializes in “Good Mood Food,” which owner Kevin Gilman describes as “comfort food, with a healthy kick.” Sounds too good to be true? Come try it for yourself!

A firm believer in the idea that restaurants should be able to feed all who come, Kevin faces dietary restrictions head on by also offering vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, and keto dishes at The Downtowner. This has resulted in a diverse and creative menu, including nachos that use a vegan cashew-based queso!

About The Owner

Kevin Gilman, one of the creative minds behind The Downtowner, grew up in Ashland, Oregon and worked at several restaurants throughout college. It was these experiences that sparked his passion in food and beverage, leading him to pursue a career in the food industry. He soon found himself managing the Food and Beverage Department at the Tetherow Golf Resort in Bend, Oregon, while simultaneously opening three restaurants of his own and working as a sommelier!

Why Downtown Stockton?

With a name like “The Downtowner” that could fit into any Downtown area and an owner from the state of Oregon, how did The Downtowner find its home here, in Downtown Stockton? Well, Stockton is the hometown of Kevin’s wife, Barbie. Once his position at the Tetherow Resort expired, they decided to make the move and start a life here. Coincidentally, Kevin fell in love with Downtown Stockton and its possibilities, noting that he particularly liked the beautiful historic architecture that’s found here. As fate would have it, a spot downtown became available for lease and he reached out to Doug, his business partner. A short while later, The Downtowner was open and running! They chose the name, “The Downtowner” because, “not too many business names tell you where they are located in the title!”

How can we support The Downtowner during this time?

The Downtowner has remained open for curbside pick up, delivery, and takeout, so your favorite items, such as the Cobb Salad or Big 10 Burger (which has been deemed by some as the best burger they’ve ever had!) are readily available! The Downtowner’s recently revamped menu also features new items, such as the new Southwestern Grilled Cheese (made with Genova Bakery Sourdough, and melted pepper jack cheese), Avocado Smash, and their house made pork carnitas. If you’ve got a big family and need a break from cooking, they also offer family-style meals for pick up! At the start of this month, the dining room was reopened with some restrictions—visitors can only eat with the group they came in with and are sat six feet away from other tables.

A Message From Kevin

“Thank you for those who continue to support small businesses during this time. We are humbled and grateful to still be operating and hope to be able to continue serving you for a long time to come.”

To stay updated on daily specials and news from The Downtowner, be sure to follow them on their social media accounts!

Facebook: @thedowntownerstockton
Instagram: @the_downtowner_stockton
Twitter: @Downtowner_Stkn

Be the Beautiful You at Natural Do

Posted on April 29, 2020 by digitalgear

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By Jessica Nguyen

Natural Do is a natural hair care salon located on 339 E. Weber Avenue in Downtown Stockton that specifically caters to individuals with kinky, curly, and wavy hair. Like the same suggests, Natural Do has a strong focus on “growing hair in the healthiest way possible.” Today, we’d like to introduce Valonne Smith, founder and CEO of Natural Do, share what makes Natural Do unique, and talk about what we all can do to support this business during this pandemic!

Valonne Smith founder, CEO of Natural Do

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak to Valonne Smith, the charismatic founder and CEO of the beloved hair salon Natural Do. Originally from the Bay Area, Valonne shared that she and her husband moved to Stockton seven years ago. Prior to the creation and launch of Natural Do, she used her expertise and passion to conduct local hair care seminars that educated and encouraged others about natural hair care. Because she received so many questions about how she maintained her hair, she decided to write her book Girl, Get Your Hair Back Too! The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Hair Healthier, Fuller, and Longer. Interested in all the information this gem has to offer? Get the E-Book here! Writing a book was only the start—Valonne also realized that they weren’t any salons that focused on naturally curly and wavy hair in the area, so she decided to open her own! Thus, Natural Do was born. The salon officially opened in April of 2016, so last month marked their four year anniversary.

Why Downtown Stockton?

There are several reasons Valonne chose Downtown Stockton as the home for her salon. Among them, she shared, is because she’s a “city girl!” and it only helped that “downtown has a lot of buzz and traffic.” In the process of searching for Natural Do’s flagship location, she was introduced to the Downtown Stockton area through the Huddle x Launch Pad, formerly Huddle Co. Curious, I asked if she planned on opening more locations for this popular salon in the future. Valonne is open to the idea, but explains that she is currently giving all her love and attention to the Stockton location. We’re lucky to have her!

What Makes Natural Do Unique?

Natural Do strives to be a place where “curlfriends” (the adorable nickname Natural Do calls its clients!) can embrace, accept and love their natural hair just the way it is. They strongly encourage the use of natural and organic-based products and implement these methods and products into their services. Their hairstyles are 100% natural and hair extension free! Check out their Instagram page to see some of the gorgeous looks that have come out of the salon!

Natural Do is a membership salon, and memberships can be monthly or yearly. Their services are so sought after that they are typically booked 2.5 to 3 weeks in advance! Since opening four years ago, Valonne estimates that they’ve only been able to take 2 walk-ins, since their fully booked schedules make them difficult to accommodate. However, don’t be discouraged! Just call ahead for an appointment (once they reopen, of course).

Visit their website for more information.

How can we support Natural Do during this time?

Although Natural Do, like various other businesses during this time, has temporarily closed its doors, we can still support them! The best way to do this, Valonne explains, is by following them on social media. Valonne creates and posts “How-To” videos for hair so that clients and anyone interested can follow along and care for their hair from the comforts of their own home. Valonne sharing her hair skills for free? Yes, please! Keep that hair beautiful, even during quarantine! Additionally, social media is the best way for them to reach out to clients and keep in touch with the community. Give them a follow to stay updated on news and information:

Facebook: @naturaldo
Instagram: @natural.do
Tik Tok: @natural.do

Mural, Mural on the Wall: A Look Into Some of Downtown’s Murals

Posted on April 24, 2020 by digitalgear

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By Jessica Nguyen

If you’ve been to Downtown Stockton, chances are you’ve seen some of the murals that adorn the walls of the buildings downtown. Not only do these colorful murals allow for local artists to share their talents with the community, they also add life, inspiration and beauty to downtown. Their presence fosters a sense of togetherness and symbolizes the creativity, talent and dedication of our community. Oh and of course, they also look great in photos! So whether you’re searching for the perfect location for that next Instagram post or you’re just curious about some of downtown’s beautiful artwork, I’d like to share with you some of my favorite downtown murals!

Dear Stockton – 240 N. Hunter Street

Local artist Joel Munoz painted this piece in 2012 as part of the “Dear Stockton Project.” This project encouraged the community to demonstrate their love for Stockton through various forms of art. The powerful, white-lettered message on the mural that reads, “Dear Stockton, Smile. You are loved,” makes this one of my favorite downtown artworks, as it reminds us all that we are all part of a great community, who is, in fact, loved. The message really captures the spirit of businesses and so many individuals downtown who are all putting their energy and dedication into rejuvenating downtown and breathing new life onto its streets. If you are ever feeling down, take a walk and make sure to stop by this mural- it’ll help lift your spirits! (Plus, it’s right next to the movie theater, so go see a movie while you’re at it!).

Musical Legacy of Dave Brubeck- 20 N. Sutter Street

If you’re feelin’ jazzy, come admire the “Musical Legacy of Dave Brubeck” artist Anthony Padilla created to honor Dave Brubeck, a great jazz pianist and composer. It features the passionate members of the Brubeck quartet playing away on their instruments against a familiar Downtown Stockton backdrop complete with a golden evening sky. The musicians look so focused that you can almost hear the jazz tunes! Fun fact: Dave Brubeck attended College of the Pacific right here in Stockton from 1938-1942. Interestingly, he first wanted to study to become a veterinarian, but quickly switched to music soon after starting at Pacific- and we now how that ended up working out! The mural inspires us, and shows us that great things can happen when we pursue our passions. It’s not only a beautiful piece that aspiring musicians can appreciate, but for anyone who is working towards reaching their dreams.

Power Through- 215 N. California St.

This visually stunning piece adds a vibrant pop of color into the gray lot and surrounding buildings in the area. Street artist Astro Graft is the mind and artist behind the eye-catching piece that could be mistaken for an optical illusion. While working on the piece, Graft shared that the mural’s design was based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a Psychology Theory that is often depicted depicted as hierarchical tiers in a pyramid. The mesmerizing piece could serve as a perfect backdrop for photos! Why not take advantage of the mural’s easy-access location and incorporate it into your next photoshoot? Plenty of people already have!

Kobe and Gianna Mural- American Street and Minor Street

The most recent addition to downtown’s family of murals, this beautifully crafted memorial piece of the late Kobe Bryant and his teenage daughter Gianna was painted by a pair of local artists: Daniel Paniagua and Kone Lathipanya. They both cited their admiration for Kobe- not just as a basketball player, but as a man and father. Both artists shared that the mural was also in memory of all the other passengers who were on that ill-fated flight earlier this year. We’ll remember them, and we’ll remember Kobe’s “Mamba Mentality”: may we never forget to keep working hard to master our passions.