Via Ventures

Posted on March 6, 2020January 14, 2025 by digitalgear

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By Jessica Nguyen

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur hoping to launch your dream shop in Downtown Stockton, a current business owner in need of a workspace, or looking for the perfect space to hold your next program or event, Via Ventures can help you do just that! One of downtown’s most recent additions, Via Ventures is a coworking office and community event space dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for all members and visitors. To learn more about Via’s vision and services, we spoke with Jasmine Leek, Co-Founder and CEO of Via Ventures.

How Did Via Ventures Start?

Jasmine Leek, a Stockton native, has always been very involved in the revitalization of the downtown community. The former Executive Director of the Huddle Cowork and founder of the Third City Coalition, Jasmine continued her passion for uplifting the community by working together with co-founder Leonel Castillo to bring Via Ventures to life. Jasmine and Leonel envisioned a community space, “where you can come to explore ideas,” that also addressed the holistic needs of entrepreneurs. Thus, Via Ventures isn’t just a physical space, but also a welcoming atmosphere that fosters community connections and provides tools to help members’ reach their community-based goals and dreams (and of course, the office is equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi!). Curious to know how Via got its name? Jasmine explains that the letters represent Values and Envision, Ideas and Initiatives, and Assets and Action, respectively.

Interested in Becoming a Member?

Via Ventures offers several services and memberships (community and coworking memberships), each with unique offers and opportunities. There are even concierge services, which their website states can, “help you tackle life with personal task and referral services.” Via is armed with passionate and knowledgable staff who can answer your questions and help you design and launch your ideas. Additionally, the flexible space is available to rent for events. Its bright, airy, and modern-styled interior is the perfect setting for seminars, business meetings, workshops, or anything in between. Sound too good to be true? Come see the space for yourself! Your first visit to Via Ventures is completely free and you can get all your questions answered by any of Via’s team members who will be more than happy to assist you.

On March 20th (which also happens to be the International Day of Happiness and first day of spring!), Via Ventures is hosting a formal launch event. The event is open to the public, and they’d love to see you there!

Why Downtown?

Via Ventures is located right next to downtown’s beloved Trail Coffee Roasters, who they have a great working relationship with. After all, like Jasmine says, “good coffee and coworking go together!” She also reveals that Downtown Stockton was prioritized in discussions concerning Via’s location, as the area provides a, “great opportunity to make your mark!” Although Jasmine shares that they would eventually like to expand to more locations, Downtown Stockton will always be Via’s original home.

Quick Three with Jasmine!

Favorite Lunch Spot and Coffee Shop?

Xochimilco Café for lunch, and of course, Trail Coffee for coffee! (She gives high praise to the Golden Milk — now I’ve gotta try it!)

Describe Downtown in One Word:

“Blooming.”

What is Downtown Stockton’s Spirit Animal?

Jasmine and Leonel both agree on a Phoenix, because of its, “spirit of renewal and resilience, but also because of its symbolism of balancing light and darkness.”

To learn more about Via Ventures, visit their website at: yourvia.co.

Changeist

Posted on February 28, 2020January 14, 2025 by digitalgear

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By Nissi Guiao

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Ghandi

Changeist, a local movement comprised of incredible, young individuals based in downtown Stockton, truly embodies their name and rightly represents the famous quote above. As an integral part of the new growth and ever-increasing development downtown, Changeist exists to empower the younger generations to “be the change they want to see in their community.” Their vision and programs aren’t one-hit wonders. The work they do internally and externally causes real impact. Everything they stand for they represent well. And their actions speak even louder than their words. As they instill the importance of being the change instead of simply hoping for it to magically happen, they build positive belief systems that organically influence culture. Whether you’re local or not, Changeist is 100% the program to get behind.

We had the honor and privilege of interviewing Changeist’s very own Program Manager, Austin Steinhart, to catch a glimpse of the inspiring work they do as a whole.

How would you best describe Changeist and what’s the heartbeat of the organization?

“Our heartbeat is our young people. They guide every aspect of our work and show us that it is possible to live in a more just society.

At our core, Changeist is a community of young people that want to make Stockton a better place. We are a Little League for civic action, helping youth build change-making muscles from an early age. Changeist mobilizes youth, ages 11-26, from all different walks of life, places them on diverse teams and takes them through a 6-month civic action experience, exploring the issues they care most about. While cultivating curiosity, gratitude, teamwork, and adventure, we’re helping young people develop important change-making skills while allowing them to exercise their agency and ultimately change the world.”

What is Changeist’s goal?

“Changeist is building a community of diverse young people that utilize their personal agency to create a more just society. We want young people from across Stockton to come together to talk about the challenges our community faces, think about creative and innovative solutions to these programs, and then be the change they want to see in their community.”

Where is Changeist located and why?

“Our office space is at Huddle, a location that has been the starting point for so many amazing non-profits in Stockton, and aligns with our organization’s emphasis on collaboration. While our office is at Huddle, our program takes place at the Teen Impact Center. We were very intentional with hosting our program in Downtown Stockton. For young people in Stockton, Downtown is a place that you would only visit to go to the movies. However Downtown Stockton is a place with amazing history and significance. With the recent reinvestment in Downtown Stockton, we want the young people of our city to reclaim their downtown. At the Teen Impact Center, we are just blocks away from the Cesar Chavez Library, City Hall, MLK Plaza, the Civic Auditorium, Janet Leigh Plaza, and Weber Point, to name just a few landmarks. Downtown Stockton used to be an entertainment hotspot for the state and we want to play our part in putting young people at the center of reimagining what Downtown Stockton could look like and be.”

When did Changeist come to downtown?

“Changeist came to Stockton, specifically downtown Stockton, in the summer of 2019. In mid-August, we had 13 full-time AmeriCorps members join us for a year of service, alongside over 100 service fellows that will be serving in Stockton as part of the Stockton Service Corps.”

What would Changeist like the people of Stockton to know?

“Young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow but they are the leaders of today. Only by investing in them and truly listening to them will we be able to see the changes we want to happen in our community. We will either have to support the young people in our city or get out of their way!”

Can people in the community get involved?

“To stay up to date on events and happenings, people can follow us on Instagram @changeiststk or visit our website at Changeist.org. We are looking to fill the last few spots we have available in our 2020 cohort for 6th through 12th graders. To apply, visit www.changeist.org/apply. Apply TODAY as we will close our application once all openings have been filled!”

What is your role as Program Manager and what is your favorite thing about Changeist?

“As Program Manager, I’m helping to build relationships and establish the organization within my hometown, while also creating the Americorps Member experience and helping to ensure we build meaningful, inclusive, and youth-led opportunities for the young people of Stockton. Changiest allows me to give opportunities to the youth here that I could have never imagined growing up in Stockton.”

Changeist may be new, but its positive impact on both young people and the downtown community by no means has been light. Changeist strongly believes the younger generations are our future and they are impressively doing their part in teaching them well and letting them lead the way. And it’s groundbreaking, especially in our world today. Follow along on the journey of inspiring change through the youth of our city and/or get involved however you can, even if it’s simply spreading the word!

The Heart of the Community

Posted on February 21, 2020 by digitalgear

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By Jordan Rosales

It is often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home, a place where families gather around the warm room for conversation and traditions. The kitchen is more than just a room where food preparation happens, its where bonding happens. Nothing brings people together quite like food. Downtown Stockton is no different because here, the kitchen is now the heart of the community! As of earlier this month, BellaVista is now home to the new Stockton Community Kitchen.

The Perfect Ingredients

Stockton Mayor, Michael Tubbs had long wanted a place where low-income folks with big goals could have their dreams realized, he just never had all the right pieces. Originally he tried to start the program from scratch by guiding a commercial kitchen downtown but that would’ve cost millions of dollars. Since he was never able to find the right person to lead the project, it never got off the ground. That’s when Rima Barkett came in to save the day. She had all the ingredients for the projects success, not only is she an accomplished chef, restauranteur, and author, but she also has an extensive history of philanthropy. Her main passion is giving women who lack opportunities and resources access to them in order to have a fair shot. Rima’s record of working with other non-profits made her the perfect fit to helm this proverbial ship. Rima was able to offer her commercial kitchen for the program’s use. Through her connections, she was able to build a team of experts from the business world and the food industry to volunteer and teach about all aspects entrepreneurs will need to run a successful business.

Cooking up a Brighter Future

The Stockton Community Kitchen is a local non-profit partnership that aspires to help underserved communities achieve entrepreneurial success. It is a food incubator enterprise that provides its chefs and future business owners all the tools they will need to start a new local business. The goal of the Stockton Community Kitchen is to offer mentorship, support, and business expertise to under-resourced communities in order to help them succeed in the competitive world of food service. Essentially, the offer people who already have the skills in the kitchen, the skills to run a business as well.

A recipe for success

Anyone who wants to apply for the program must first meet the five qualifications. First and foremost, they must be a low-income individual as specified by the Housing and Urban Development guidelines of San Joaquin County. Since their mission is to help elevate those with the highest barriers to entry in the food industry, the Stockton Community Kitchen also takes access to opportunities into consideration. Second, you must have a business idea ready. Once in the program, a mentor can help you refine and build upon your idea but when applying, you must have an idea that is wholly your own. Third, you need to have product viability. When entering a highly competitive industry like the food industry you need to have a unique and innovative concept that sets you apart from other products on the market. Fourth, you must possess an entrepreneurial spirit. Starting a new business can be very demanding and without passion or a strong drive, it can become incredibly overwhelming. Applicants need to show they have a strong work ethic and the grit it takes to start a business from scratch. Lastly, the applicant must have community spirit. Because Stockton is an incredibly diverse community, participants must show that they are able to work with and serve people from all backgrounds.

Application process

Once you have met the qualifications you can go to an application workshop where you’ll be taught how to properly complete the application, while this step isn’t necessary it can be helpful. The program itself consists of four distinct steps. The first step is application and enrollment. The Stockton Community Kitchen accepts applications year-round but the program only runs three times a year. The second step is the pre-incubation. The pre-incubation period is a four-month process where participants will receive hands-on training from industry professionals. They will focus on business basics like product development, marketing, financing, and managing daily operations. During this period participants create their own schedules to meet with their mentors. The third step is the incubator. After a successful first four months, participants will continue their previous training and start to develop skills more specific to their individual business objectives while having access to the affordable commercial kitchen facilities to support their business. The fourth and final step is graduation. After successfully reaching all program benchmarks participants become graduates of the Stockton Community Kitchen.

The goal of the Stockton Community Kitchen is to help underprivileged and underrepresented groups achieve business success and shape the landscape of Stockton’s diverse culinary future

For more information about The Stockton Community Kitchen call them at (209) 608-5455 or visit their website https://stocktoncommunitykitchen.org/

Samples from the Grand Opening of the Community Kitchen

Placemaking Award Program

Posted on February 7, 2020 by digitalgear

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By Jessica Nguyen

Need Funds for a Downtown Project? Apply For Our New Placemaking Award Program!

If you want to bring a Downtown Stockton project to life but are a little short on funds, consider applying for our Placemaking Award Program! Discussions took place between the DSA Board of Directors last year about potentially creating a grant program, and this year, it’s going live! Courtney Wood, DSA’s Economic Development Director, shares that this program was created because, “businesses and events might need a little extra help to get going.” Examples of projects include (but are not limited to) organizing an educational and fun cultural event downtown, adding a small but charming outdoor patio to your restaurant, putting on rewarding workshops or seminars, and adding vivid art installations downtown.

How to Apply

Applications for the Placemaking Awards will be available on the DSA website starting February 1st, and the deadline to turn them in will be April 1st at 4pm. The applications are open rather than restrictive, because we want you to get creative! What would you like to bring to downtown that will attract more visitors? Pop up stores? Musical performances? A butterfly garden? A statue of Danny DeVito? (Okay, probably not that last one).

Criteria

Along with the requirement that the project must take place in Downtown Stockton, there are several other criteria the Board of Directors will consider to determine whether or not you are eligible for a grant:

Does your application demonstrate that you have a clear vision for your project?
Does it seem like you will be able to complete the project within a certain timeframe?
How much will the proposed program or project benefit the downtown community?
How much revenue will the proposed program or project bring to downtown?
How much enthusiasm do you have for your proposed project?

After review by the Board of Directors, final funding discussions will take place in May. On the 1st of June, the DSA will announce the grant recipients. Recipients will receive 50% of the funds upfront, while the other 50% will be in the form of a reimbursement, provided once the project has reached completion. Overall, you can apply for up to $10,000. The Placemaking Award Program has $20,000 of available funds in total.

Excitement for the Future

Courtney, who helped DSA Board Member Jared Rusten design the program, shared, “I’m looking forward to seeing all the creative ideas that people can bring downtown and seeing the DSA having a role in making this happen through the grant.” In addition, she’s excited to see how the community will respond to the implementation of new projects and the economic growth the projects will bring to downtown.

Don’t forget, you can start the application for the grant on February 1st! Start thinking of those ideas, we can’t wait to see them!

Interpretations Hair Design Studio

Posted on January 10, 2020 by digitalgear

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By Jordan Rosales

Amid the hustle and bustle of a vibrant downtown, lies an unassuming salon and downtown institution, Interpretations Hair Design Studio. When the current owner, Reggie, moved from Sacramento to Stockton in 1994, he worked as a stylist at the salon. As luck would have it, while the original owner was looking to sell the business, Reggie was looking to start a business. The rest is history.

An Owner with Passion

Interpretations Hair Design Studio has been passionately run by Reggie for 27 years and is still going strong. He started his 32-year long career at The Oakland Institute of Cosmetology. It was there where he discovered his passion for styling hair. Reggie spoke about how he found his passion for cosmetology early on during his education, “I fell in love with the different aspects of it, the fact that it’s so much more than just standing behind a chair all day.” During his time as a student, he competed in hair competitions across the state and won several titles. He loved it so much, he continued competing and winning but as a professional! He has previously taught at The Hollywood Beauty College and with the ROP program for the San Joaquin Country Board of Education, where he not only taught but coached his students to win hair competitions too!

The Perfect Home

Reggie ultimately scored the location because that’s where the original business was, but he couldn’t be happier with where he is. Being in Downtown Stockton has a lot of perks, there’s a ton of foot traffic, it’s easy to find and it’s central. The accessibility is a big plus for Reggie, “it’s very easy to get to, people can drive, or they can come on public transportation, which is very important to me.” But mostly, he said the best thing about Stockton is that it’s quiet but also close enough to bigger cities, that you can get to and from them rather quickly, which is key for Reggie since a lot of his clients travel from the Bay Area and Sacramento. He said one of the biggest misconceptions of Downtown is that it’s dead, but as a local business owner, he knows better. He said of Downtown Stockton, “We’re revitalizing. Thriving. We’ve been here for 27 years. Businesses that have been here before us, are still here! People always go up north to shop, but they should really give Downtown a try!”

Inspiring the Stylists of Tomorrow

Reggie wants Interpretations of Hair Design Studio to be more than just a salon. For those looking into pursuing a career in cosmetology, Reggie offers an apprenticeship program. Reggie never lost his passion for teaching and inspiring future generations, “I really want to target disadvantaged people who need help and don’t know where to go. This could be a stepping stone towards income for them.” To enroll in the program, simply fill out an application through the state board of cosmetology. At only $2,500, the apprenticeship program is much more affordable than traditional cosmetology school, which can typically cost around $30,000. The apprenticeship is a two-year program broken up into two parts. The first year entails two, eight-hour days a week, learning about theory in Interpretations Hair Design Studio’s 2,000 sq. foot facility. The second year is all hands-on training. The hands-on training is a great tool because it allows the student to do practical work with customers and earn an income, while building up a client base of their own. Students can even do their second year at another salon if they get a co-sponsor.

For more information call them at (209) 939- 0686 or check out their Facebook under Interpretations Hair Design Studio.

Main Street Launch

Posted on December 18, 2019 by digitalgear

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By Jessica Nguyen

Have you ever dreamed of owning a business? Maybe you love to bake and want to share your delicious confections with the world, or maybe you’re ready to take those unrivaled barber skills out of your garage and into your very own brick and mortar shop. Whether you’re an aspiring business owner or you’ve already entered the entrepreneurial world, we’ve got great news — Main Street Launch, a new addition to the Downtown Stockton community, may be able to offer some valuable assistance to help you reach your goals! I recently talked with Richard Morris, passionate and knowledgeable manager of the new Main Street Launch Stockton Branch, to learn more about this uplifting organization with an admirable mission: to empower entrepreneurs.

What is Main Street Launch?

Originating from Oakland, CA, Main Street Launch is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that works to create opportunities for successful entrepreneurship. The organization’s inception was a direct result of banking institutions failing minority business owners, as many would refuse to provide loans and would participate in redlining. For the past 40 years, Main Street Launch has aimed to combat this by providing entrepreneurs with capital, education, and networking opportunities to assist them in their business endeavors. Need some numbers? In the last ten years, Main Street Launch has funded over 700 loans, totaling $63.6 million. Main Street Launch focuses on aiding disadvantaged groups (such as African Americans, women, veterans, etc.) in building and sustaining small businesses as a way to combat and eliminate the racial wealth gap.

Woman speaking into a mic during Main Street Launch Ribbon Cutting. — Presentation during Main Street Launch’s Grand Opening

Goals of the Stockton Branch: the Entrepreneur in Residence Program (EIR)

Studies show that in general, African Americans have less wealth than any other racial group in America, as they face specific barriers such as limited access to capital and overall lack of access to small business resources. To reverse this, Main Street Launch has recently established the African American Entrepreneurship Institute with funding from Wells Fargo and the Citi Foundation. They also created the Entrepreneur in Residence Program (EIR), set to launch in Stockton in January of next year. Main Street Launch has recently completed the process of reviewing applications and interviewing current business owners with the intention of selecting four or five local, African-American entrepreneurs to begin this program next month. This will not only help accelerate some of Stockton’s African-American owned businesses, but will also give this pilot program the opportunity to prove its success.

The six-month training program will implement a curriculum specifically designed for the first incoming cohort: helping to bolster business acumen, assisting with analyzing and utilizing financial data to make sound financial decisions, teaching how to protect sales with correct insurance, etc. Halfway through the program, business owners will then be paired with business mentors to learn more about other facets of business such as bookkeeping and marketing. In addition, participants will be given a $2000/month stipend during the duration of the program. In the future, Main Street Launch will be looking for more business owners or aspiring business owners to participate in the program. If you’ve missed the application period this year, try again in September of 2020!

Providing Aid to All Local Business Owners

Even if you will not be participating in the upcoming EIR, Richard shares that you can stop by the Main Street Launch office for business advice or to discuss anything business-related, even if its a business idea that you’ve been considering but haven’t yet committed to! After all, he shares, “access to capital is open to all business owners in Stockton.” You can find the office on the third floor of the Huddle, where, “our doors are always open and we’re excited and passionate about what we do!” Originally from Pasadena, CA, Richard has lived in Stockton since 2007 after being introduced to the city for the first time by his wife. He’s worked in several positions since moving here, such as manager for the downtown BBVA for two years. In this capacity, he was able to provide financial literacy workshops to members of the community, and since then, he “fell in love with sharing this information to community members.” There are a huge number of business owners in the Bay Area touched by the Main Street Launch. Its current goal is to replicate this success here in Stockton.

To learn more about Main Street Launch, visit their website: www.MainStreetLaunch.org

Deliberation Room

Posted on December 12, 2019 by digitalgear

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By Nissi Guiao

Downtown is coming alive right before our eyes. And it’s because of good-hearted Stocktonians like Jacob Benguerel, owner of the local hotspot, Deliberation Room, who can see a better future for our city before it’s ever even in plain sight. Benguerel opened up shop not too long ago and he shares, “Deliberation Room was something that I decided to do because, as a kid, I saw what Modesto went through when it was worse than Stockton is now. My dad owned a business downtown and they had the same struggles we have, but it all began to turn around when restaurants and bars moved in. Being a big part of the downtown Stockton turnaround, I decided, ‘Why not?’”

That same care hasn’t changed for Benguerel as he understands that what’s “most important is that right now downtown businesses have to be a destination.” He’s been paying attention to the needs and wants of the community and states that they “are trying to respond to what [their] customers have told [them] they want.” Since taking notes on what their regulars are looking for, DR has gone through a bit of a transformational process, only making it an even better place to spend nights and weekends locally. “I’ve always been conscious of the fact that we need to be willing and able adapt in order to survive in the early stages of the revitalization process,” says Benguerel, and he’s not all talk. They’ve recently added an adult arcade (AN ADULT ARCADE!!!) “on top of the craft cocktails and handmade pizza” (yum) they’ve got going on, which truly “makes [them so] much more of a destination” nowadays.

Bringing life and excitement to Downtown

DR brings so much life and excitement to our community downtown. “Historically [they’ve] done drag shows, comedy shows, costume parties, live music, paint parties…” which naturally promotes the ever-growing nightlife scene in the area. As they’re getting ready to celebrate their “three year anniversary this coming New Year’s Eve,” Benguerel says, “We are looking at our events calendars starting next year to see what events we might carry over and if there are any new events we wanna bring in like arcade tournaments….” (and if that happens, we are so here for it).

Picture non-boring hangs with all the nostalgic feels playing retro games, drinking through their “good selection of signature cocktails.” Nothing quite beats that set-up, especially with your fave hype (or chill) crew. There’s always a reason to come in as “Melanie is always coming up with different drinks each week using fresh produce,” says Benguerel. As far as the changes go, what he enjoys “the most about the new concept is that [they] have this mixture of a completely unique ambiance, great pizza and awesome craft cocktails.” He tells us that “the two most popular [are] the ‘Stop and Frisk’ and the ‘Barely Legal,’ so go give those a try if you haven’t treated yourself to them yet.

Since all of this is legit not fake news or even too good to be true, this is your cue to accept the open invitation to make face at the newly remodeled downtown destination we’re so stoked about. We’ve made it easy for you with all this cool info. Actually, they have (with all the fun additions), so no need to deliberate, just grab some friends and celebrate all the fun changes. Really, now the only thing missing at the Deliberation Room, well, is y-o-u!

(More “deets” about DR, take notes)

Big changes

“Deliberation Room in Downtown Stockton has undergone big changes while maintaining its unique environment and decor. They have installed an adult arcade, pool table, air hockey table, dart board and jukebox. The arcades have ALL of the classic games that you grew up playing…Pacman, Centipede, NBA Jams, Mortal Combat, Street Fighter and many more. Also new to Deliberation Room is a full menu of fresh, hand made pizzas that will soon be available through Grubhub and DoorDash. As always they also have great craft cocktails, craft beer and over 50 different whiskeys! The Deliberation Room is open for happy hour and dinner each Tuesday through Friday and each Friday and Saturday ’till 2am. The new additions make it a perfect spot to host your next business event or to go out with coworkers for happy hour. You will be the hero when your coworkers are introduced to the new Deliberation Room and find out that it was your idea to bring them!”

Downtown Fast Q&A:

What’s your go-to Downtown coffee spot?

“I don’t drink coffee but if I did it would obviously be my neighbors…Trail Coffee!”

2. What Downtown winter event are you most excited about?

“The boat parade. Its a pretty awesome experience down there at the waterfront!”

3. What is Downtown’s Spirit Animal?

“It’s gotta be the racoon….totally shocked the 1st time I saw a racoon run through the city streets!”

4. Describe Downtown in one word.

“Changing”

Connect with them on facebook or on instagram!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeliberationRoom/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deliberationroom/

All About DSELF

Posted on November 27, 2019June 9, 2023 by digitalgear

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By Courtney Wood

Did you know that the Downtown Stockton Alliance (DSA) administers loans from $10,000 – $65,000 for small businesses in the downtown area through the Downtown Stockton Enterprise Loan Fund (DSELF)? Read on to learn more about this useful economic development tool.

What is the DSELF?

The Downtown Stockton Enterprise Loan Fund (DSELF), a 501(c)3 existing under the umbrella of the DSA, is a “non-profit, multi-bank community development corporation created to facilitate economic development in Stockton’s economically under-served central city.”

This successful loan fund exists due to the 2006-2007 initial contributions of $172,000 from the following lending institutions:

Bank of Agriculture & Commerce
Bank of Stockton
Community Bank of San Joaquin
Guaranty Bank
Oak Valley Bank
Wells Fargo Bank

Over the last 13 years, through the administration of loans to businesses like Juice it Up!, Chitiva’s, The Campus Downtown, J. Rusten Furniture Studio, and The Deliberation Room, the fund has grown to over $216,000!

How is the DSELF structured?

As a 501(c)3 non-profit, the DSELF is governed by a board of directors who provide policy oversight. The loan application process is guided by the DSELF Administrator, currently Courtney Wood of the Downtown Stockton Alliance, while the pre-approval scoring and loan recommendation is performed by the Business Loan Manager, currently Steve Lantsberger of the SJ Economic Development Department and Revolving Loan Fund.

Why is the DSELF important?

DSELF funds are used to provide much-needed capital to small and mid-size downtown businesses who typically “lack sufficient up-front equity and historic profits for conventional financing,” at an interest rate of prime + 2% (DSELF Mission).

Through the DSELF, businesses who may not meet a bank’s loan criteria still have the opportunity to access capital to open or grow their enterprises – and create jobs! – without being gauged by exorbitant interest rates that cut into their profits.

Since the DSELF isn’t a bank, is it easy to get a loan?

Although the DSELF is aimed at non-traditional borrowers, because the loans are considered “high-risk” there is still a detailed approval process which must be completed in order to approve a loan and protect the fund.

What is the application process like?

This year, the DSELF Board revamped the DSELF loan process and procedures. In addition to changing the loan range from $5,000 – $50,000 to $25,000 – $65,000, they decided to break the loan approval process into the four phases outline below:

Pre-Qualification, which entails the initial application and non-refundable $200 fee, a credit score check, the submittal of an executive summary, and an interview with the DSELF Administrator
Pre-Approval, which involves the submittal of 19 items outlined in the pre-approval checklist. These items include things like a business plan, financial statements, tax returns, description of collateral to be pledged, and resumes of the business partners, etc.
DSELF Board Interview, which allows the board to ask an applicant questions regarding their application, business, loan request, etc.
DSELF Board Vote, which makes the final decision regarding approval of a loan that has made it through the previous stages.

In Phases 1 & 2, a rubric is used to determine an applicant’s score and whether they proceed to the next stage in approval. In Phase 4, a majority vote is required to grant final approval.

The brevity of this process depends upon how quickly the applicant can submit all required documents to the DSELF administrator. It is recommended that applicants submit everything required within 90 days from the initial application date to ensure information being reviewed is up-to-date and accurate.

Who can apply?

The DSELF’s mission is to provide loans to businesses which fall within the Downtown Stockton Alliance PBID District. Apart from being located in downtown, to even be considered, applicants must be running or intending to run, completely legitimate operations.

What can a DSELF loan be used for?

Fortunately, DSELF applicants can use their loans for a variety of business expenses, from space renovations/buildouts to marketing materials. A few of the most common eligible uses are listed below:

Inventory
Working capital for rent, utilities, telephone, insurance, etc.
Equipment
Production of sample lines
Product development
Initial advertising/promotion campaigns
Office supplies
Building and leasehold improvements

Is DSELF taking applications for new borrowers at this time?

Yes! The DSELF is looking to lend out additional money within the next year. Apply!

Where can I go for more information?

If you or someone you know has a downtown business and you want to learn more about the DSELF, call 209.888.8630; email [email protected]; attend a DSELF board meeting – held the 2^nd Tuesday of every month, at 12:00 PM in the DSA offices; click here to view the application; or click here to view the application guide.

This page has additional information about DSELF.

Take advantage of this amazing resource only available to downtown businesses!

Legendary Coffee and Books

Posted on November 8, 2019 by digitalgear

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By Jessica Nguyen

What do you imagine when you think of coffee? Do you think of its familiar aroma? Early mornings? You might even envision a comforting mug between your hands that envelops you with its warmth, or you may picture some of your favorite local coffee shops. Soon, you’ll be adding a new shop to that list: Legendary Coffee and Books! This new coffee shop, coming to Downtown Stockton’s Waterfront Warehouse in December, offers something unique to downtown: coffee and books! As a society, we’re always so busy hurrying to meetings, rushing to complete our next errand, or feeling pressured by deadlines, so there’s nothing more relaxing than taking a breath, sinking into a chair and immersing ourselves in a book while sipping on some delicious coffee. Everyone needs a break, why not take yours here?

Meet the Owner

Stockton Native Gwen Overton is the owner of the new Legendary Coffee and Books. A kind and family-oriented woman, she wanted to ensure her children graduated from college before turning her dream of owning a coffee shop into reality — a dream that was first sparked ten years ago. Her inspiration for adding books to the coffee mixture? The recent closure of Stockton’s only Christian bookstore. Legendary Coffee and Books will also be the only coffee shop in the Waterfront Warehouse, so don’t forget to pick up some coffee to accompany that delicious cupcake from Dlilah’s Cakery and save some room for coffee after dinner at Nena’s Mexican Restaurant!

What’s on the menu?

Legendary Coffee and Books will not only be serving your favorite caffeinated beverages, but will also include a selection of teas. So if you’re looking for a cup of Joe or a lighter beverage, this is the place to be! And if you’re feeling indecisive, you could always try both. As for the printed works, Gwen shares that there will be wide selection to choose from — Bibles, books on health, finance, marriage, and everything in between. Coffee and books? Perfect, now you can increase your energy and knowledge at the same time!

What is your vision for Legendary Coffee and Books?

With passion encompassing every word, Gwen shares, “atmosphere is really important to me.” She is adamant about providing a “safe, fun, loving, warm atmosphere” where people can come to relax and enjoy themselves. A Christian woman dedicated to her faith, Gwen also wants visitors to feel the love of Christ upon entering the shop.

The shop will be open to everyone, and will also be a nice, quiet location to work or study (don’t forget to order a steaming mug of coffee to help you get through that study session!). If you’re not into studying, Gwen also plans on hosting Open Mic occasionally on Friday nights. There are also talks about possible book club meetings, but these are still in the works, so stay tuned for updates!

Why did you choose Downtown Stockton?

Gwen shared that as she was searching for a location, someone told her, “I picture you by the water.” She loved the idea, and looked into possible locations near water. She was drawn in by the Waterfront Warehouse’s beautiful views of the Stockton waterfront, so that sealed the deal! The Legendary Coffee and Books found itself a new home in downtown’s Waterfront Warehouse. Gwen is also excited at the prospect of being surrounded by the variety of shops and businesses that also call the Waterfront Warehouse home.

What else would you like the community to know about Legendary Coffee and Books?

“Once they come in, they will always return!”

Soft Opening: December 3rd, 2019

Grand Opening: January 24th, 2020

Follow them on instagram! @legendary_coffee_books

Study Spots in Downtown Stockton

Posted on October 4, 2019 by digitalgear

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By Jessica Nguyen

We’ve now arrived at that time of year again: mid-term season. Students experience enough stress trying to study for midterms, the least they should worry about is finding a relaxing place to study! We know that solving equations and reviewing study guides in your room or campus library can become a bit dreary, so we’ve compiled a list of perfect Downtown Stockton study spots for the times you need a change in atmosphere.

Cesar Chavez Library, 605 N. El Dorado St.

The Cesar Chavez Library’s spacious, quiet atmosphere is the ideal location to skim- I mean, thoroughly read those textbook chapters for class. In addition, the library houses over 20 computer workstations equipped with necessities such as Microsoft Office and Internet access. It also offers free Wi-Fi for those who choose to bring their own laptops (try not to get distracted and click on that Netflix tab- I know it’s tempting). Available services such as printing, scanning and fax may also be helpful in your studying endeavor.

Empresso Coffeehouse, 222 N. El Dorado St. & 22 N. San Joaquin St.

This beloved local coffeehouse has two downtown locations. The free Wi-Fi coupled with the inviting smell of coffee make both locations great spots to balance those chemical equations. Both locations have an outside seating area if you’d like to enjoy a little breeze and the beautiful weather as you type away on your laptop. On Yelp, Sue B. shares her experience at the El Dorado Empresso location, writing, “I love hanging out at this newish coffeehouse on El Dorado to read, study, or simply to socialize.”

Fusion Boba Café, 25 S. Hunter St.

The milk tea craze is not dying down anytime soon! Kill two birds with one stone- get your boba fix and some studying done by visiting Downtown Stockton’s Fusion Boba Café, the only location to serve milk tea and boba in the entire downtown area. The quiet, clean café offers free Wi-Fi and plenty of tables, so you can bring your whole crew with you. Memorizing your speech for your public speaking class is so much easier with a tasty boba drink in your hand!

Terra Coffee, 111 S. Sutter St.

Terra Coffee is a chic café located in the Mexican Heritage Center. The bright interior, welcoming atmosphere and numerous tables make it a great place to brainstorm your next research topic. Even if you pulled an all-nighter the night before (we’ve all been there), stay wide-awake for your study session by sipping on a coffee from Terra’s delicious selections. If you’re an art student, you have even more of a reason to visit Terra- the art exhibits in the gallery will definitely provide some inspiration for your next piece!

Trail Coffee Roasters, 501 E. Main St.

Trail Coffee has a casual, bright atmosphere, hip vibe, and is complete with free Wi-Fi, a must-have for students (or for anyone nowadays, really). The inviting smells of freshly brewed coffee make ordering one hard to resist, and the aesthetics of their pastries and platters make it hard not to snap a photo for Instagram. Look at it this way: you can get your social media fix out of the way before hunkering down to study geometry. Don’t forget to hashtag #TrailCoffeeRoasters!

Now that you know of some study spots in Downtown Stockton, you have no reason not to ace those mid-terms! Let us know which one is your favorite and happy studying!