The Freckled Moon

Posted on December 7, 2018 by digitalgear

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By Andrew Rocha

Have you heard of the Freckled Moon? You might have seen them as a vendor at farmers markets and events like the Stockmarket, but now the Freckled Moon has a location in Downtown Stockton. The Freckled Moon is a shop that sells handmade artwork, dreamcatchers, and similar crafts created by a local collective of artists The shop is located at 219 East Weber Ave, owned and managed by a family of creatives.

Marie Pease, the owner of The Freckled Moon, runs the shop with her daughters and started selling handmade crafts five years ago. Before having a physical location downtown, the Freckled Moon was popular at events with repeat customers frequently asking about if there was a physical location where they could shop or when Marie Pease would open a store. “This has always been our dream to have our own little shop. We do events and stuff like that, but we’ve always wanted to open our own shop where people can come and get unique items that they can’t get at the big box stores.”

Why Downtown Stockton?

So why did a craft store like the Freckled Moon choose downtown Stockton? According to Marie Pease, a need for an expressive shop was felt, as well as a small but talented artistic community. “I knew that if I opened a shop I would want it to be here, because I know that there is not a lot of this here and I wanted to bring it to Stockton because I know that there are a lot of creative people here.”

A lot of the art and crafts that are sold through the Freckled Moon are from artists and friends of Marie Pease and her family, as well as from artists from Sacramento. Now that they are located in downtown Stockton, local artist are encouraged to work with the Freckled Moon to not only share their work but also to make the downtown areas future brighter and beautiful.

More Than Just Adding Aesthetic

Besides bringing a new aesthetic to downtown Stockton, Marie also runs the Freckled Moon to be an example to her daughters. “I’ve always wanted to teach my daughters that they don’t need anybody to help them, that they can do things on their own. I’m a product of that, being a single mom with four children. It doesn’t matter where you come from or your background, it matters how bad you want your dream and what you’re willing to do to make that obtainable. You don’t need other people to help you, you can do it yourself. So that was really a big drive for me.”

They have only been open for a few weeks and the Freckled Moon has already been well received by the community. Hopefully with continued support, Marie Pease and the Freckled Moon will make a larger and larger impact on the community as time goes on. To learn more about the Freckled Moon, check out their website, www.thefreckledmoon.com

Market Street

Posted on December 2, 2018 by digitalgear

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By Andrew Rocha

Downtown Stockton is rich with history and culture. You can get a glimpse into Stockton’s past and get a good sense of Stockton culture by visiting a few of the small shops on Market Street, including Frank’s Shoe Shine, Hi-Grade Cleaners, and AirRaid Airbrush. They are very different businesses, but each is a reflection of downtown Stockton and it’s past.

Hi-Grade Cleaners

Hi-Grade Cleaners is located at 47 South San Joaquin Street, on the corner of San Joaquin and Market Street, and it has been around for a long time. The current owner, Kevin Jang, has been running Hi-Grade Cleaners for 16 years, and the previous two owners ran the cleaners for a total of 25 years before him. For over 40 years, Hi-Grade Cleaners has been in business on Market Street providing their services to Stockton residents and employees in the area who need their clothes and uniforms clean and looking their best. They are doing some great and valued work to be in business for so long. Owner Kevin Jang believes that he and Hi-Grade Cleaners will be around for a lot longer. Already, he is investing in new machines and a new boiler to serve his customers, new and old.

Frank’s Shoe Shine

If you are looking for a place where you can really feel and experience the power of downtown’s history while also getting your shoes shined, Frank’s Shoe Shine is perfect. You can find Frank’s Shoe Shine at 231 East Market Street and when you walk in you are just bombarded with history. All over the walls are posters, photographs, and newspaper headlines of everything from famous athletes to popular politicians and activists, all collected by Frank himself. Frank is over 90 years old, and he has been shining shoes since he was in high school. “I didn’t just pick up shoe shining. Shoe shining is an art. When someone walks in that door, you got to know how to shine the man’s shoes.” shared Frank, “If he walk in here with light shoes, you going to put black polish? No. If he walks in here with light tan or dark tan, you got to know this.” Frank is a man who knows what he is doing and is passionate about his work just as much as he is about downtown Stockton. If you are looking to get your shoes shined and for an old school experience, stop by Frank’s Shoe Shine

AirRaid Airbrush

Downtown Stockton is home to many artists, and one of those artists owns and operates his own business right on Market Street. Orlando Lopez is the owner of AirRaid Airbrush located at 233 East Market Street and has been in business for ten years. On how he got into the art of airbrushing, Lopez said, “Always interested in art and given an airbrush, I bought airbrush magazines that had practice drills and I bought sheets from thrift stores and hung them and practiced on them. It takes about a year before you are just okay with an airbrush because there is so much to learn.” From shoes and Christmas stockings, to car parts and Halloween pumpkins, Lopez at AirRaid Airbrush will make something fantastic as long as the paint is able to stick. You can get a glimpse of his work this weekend. Orlando Lopez will be painting shoes on location at Dillards Department Store at Weberstown Mall this Sunday, Dec. 2nd from 5-9pm. You can learn more about AirRaid Airbrush by following them on Facebook.

From dry cleaning to shoe shining to airbrushing, Market Street is overflowing with talent, history, and culture. It deserves more support and recognition from the community. It is definitely a place that should come to mind during times when one needs some clothes dry cleaned, some shoes shines, or a t-shirt that needs a new airbrushed design.

Hatch Workshop

Posted on November 21, 2018 by digitalgear

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By Andrew Rocha

Located at 33 N Aurora Street in Downtown Stockton, HATCH Workshop is a nonprofit organization that will offer training and education in subjects like fine crafts, design, and entrepreneurship, for students and the community. HATCH Workshop will also be providing affordable housing, workspaces, and shop access for young, growing creatives and artists. In June 2019, when HATCH will be fully operational and open to the public, their programs will be a benefit to the growing and talented community of artists that call Stockton and the Downtown area their home.

Student Experiences

Community Workshop programs will provide educational opportunities for Stockton residents. Through the programs, students will learn and develop skills in fine crafts and creative expression. They will also be forming business skills and entrepreneurial strategies, so they will not only be learning art and how to express themselves, but also provide them with hands-on work skills that are important in an ever evolving labor environment.

HATCH Live/Work Co-Op

HATCH Workshop will also be helping to support young entrepreneurs in the crafts by providing an affordable space for emerging makers to live and work through the HATCH Live/Work Co-Op. While this program will include an apartment, a personal studio space, 24-hour access to the the shops, and space in our HATCH store/gallery, the HATCH Live/Work Co-op will also be able to work alongside an experienced business and art marketing professional. These programs are designed to give individuals the resources that they need to hone their creative skills and become thriving entrepreneurs.

Even young students have a place to learn and prosper at Hatch Workshop. Inspire Youth is one of the programs that HATCH Workshop will be offering. In collaboration with the San Joaquin County Office of Education and Stockton Unified School District, the Inspire Youth is a mentorship and arts education program. The program will create a safe space for youth to learn, create, and enter into mentorship programs with HATCH Workshop residents and senior team members. This program will be run off site with Stockton Unified School District starting in in January of 2019.

Impacting the Downtown Community

That is all just a small glimpse into the future of Hatch Workshop and a feel for the impact that they will be making in downtown Stockton. CEO at HATCH Workshop, Phoenix Trent, shared how downtown Stockton has happily accepted them, “The community has been incredibly welcoming and supportive of our project and as a 501(c)3 nonprofit we’ve made it our priority to engage with the community and ensure that our programs reflect the needs of our city. HATCH has enjoyed putting on make your own toys and metal casting workshops at Stockmarket, Collide Festival, the San Joaquin County Fair and other local events as we work to build interest for our upcoming youth and community workshops.”

You can find out more about HATCH Workshop and their programs by checking out their website, www.hatchworkshop.org, or if you’re interested in working with HATCH Workshop on a project, send an email to [email protected]

Written by Andrew James Rocha
Photos Courtesy of HATCH Workshop

Pioneers of Downtown Stockton

Posted on November 9, 2018 by digitalgear

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By Andrew Rocha

Downtown Stockton has been experiencing a period of resurgence. Businesses are opening and happily accepted by the community! In addition, many people are showing interest in living in downtown. It is an exciting time to be downtown!

But a lot of what is happening downtown would not be possible if not for the time and effort from several figures in the community. Not only have they shown enough interest in the district to use their resources in fostering the downtown area, but their passion for the area is sparking interest and attracting more people to visit downtown Stockton. Growth and new life in downtown would not be possible without their efforts!

Bali Ranchhod

Bali Ranchhod and the S&M Ranchhod Family Trust own several properties in downtown Stockton including, 820/840 East Main Street, 526/530 East Main Street, and 47 North Grant Street. To help support growth and life in the area, Ranchhod explained that,

“We encourage new businesses into our properties in downtown by offering low rents and assisting with establishment as possible…We have recently become involved with the Downtown Stockton Business Watch and their efforts to improve security. Just having tenants in formerly vacant properties and generating some traffic flow is helping keep downtown active and help with its new growth.”

Bali Ranchhod’s father, Shamjibhai Ranchhod, came to Stockton in the early 70’s for a better life than what was available in their home of Zambia. Though it was a struggle, Shamjibhai Ranchhod worked hard for his family and the downtown community. Bali Ranchhod shared,

“He would take over any distressed property and try to make it work. He would get sellers to carry a note with a small amount down and worked hard to keep up with payments, manage tenants and do the necessary maintenance (mostly himself and getting help from the cheapest contractors available). He was a good negotiator and a lot of folk did jobs for him simply because of his persistence and character.”

Cort Companies

Cort Companies is a full-service commercial real estate and development company. They renovate and restore buildings that are integral to the history of downtown Stockton. Cort Companies has been serving the community for 40 years. In that time, around two million square feet of space have been restored. Dan Cort, the president and CEO of Cort Companies expressed that he believes more people will be drawn to the district because of Cort Companies’ hard work and the businesses that have chosen to work with them. It is a community effort that is helping downtown Stockton grow.

Mahala Burns, the senior broker of Cort Companies, mentioned some of the projects that Cort Companies is working on. One of their main goals is to bring new residents to the downtown area. These projects to draw new residents include Tretheway Live+Work Lofts at the historic Tretheway building, a space for those who want an area where they can comfortably live AND practice their business. According to Mahala Burns, more and more people are showing interest in downtown Stockton and overtime life will be thriving like it never has before.

Melvin Corren

A 94-year old Stockton native, Melvin Corren, leads a class titled “Revitalization of Downtown Stockton” in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of the Pacific. In this class, Melvin Corren and various people from the city government and local organizations suggest ways in which downtown Stockton can return to its former glory.

“My drive for doing all of this has been number one, because I remember when downtown Stockton was such a vibrant place and I would like to see it return to that state.” said Corren.

In 1901, Melvin Corren’s grandfather opened a furniture store on San Joaquin Street in Downtown Stockton. He remembers those old and wonderful times downtown. He also shared some ideas that would benefit the area while paying respect to the area’s rich history. One idea is to compliment the iconic Bob Hope Theater with a Bob Hope Plaza or museum to celebrate the life and work of Bob Hope, perhaps including a film of Alex Spanos dancing with Bob Hope. Such a project would not only give people an incentive to visit and live in downtown Stockton, but also a reason to care and cherish the area.

Downtown Stockton is an area that is on the rise. Members of the community can help support the new life and growth in the area by simply supporting the businesses that are located there and spend time enjoying the atmosphere of downtown’s city life.

Written by Andrew James Rocha

Downtown Stockton is the Place to be for Artists

Posted on November 5, 2018 by digitalgear

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By Andrew Rocha

Stockton is home to many talented artists who display their work throughout downtown, including the recent murals at the Deliberation Room.

The Deliberation Room is a restaurant and bar at 19 North California Street. It is perfect for anyone who wants to grab a bite to eat or drink with friends. Plus, by adding the murals, there is even stronger presence of artistic culture in the area! There are several amazing murals at the location. Each have a distinct style and tone, showcasing the gifted Stockton artists.

For more information on the Deliberation Room, check them out on Facebook.

1850 Collective

The owner of the building, Jacob Bengeruel, shared that the idea to have murals came to him while on a trip to New York City. “While there, I watched artists painting murals on Houston Street on our way to check out the Houston Bowery wall. Watching murals be painted was a unique experience that I really enjoyed. The Houston Bowery wall is an exhibit that rotates new murals every few months so that a new artists is showcased. I was so impressed by both that I wanted to bring the experience to Stockton.”

In order to bring the artistic experience to Stockton, Bengeruel contacted the 1850 Collective to put together a team of artists to create the murals at the Deliberation Room. The 1850 Collective is an organization made up of a variety of artists and creatives who are on a mission to promote the artistic side of Stockton! The murals are just one example of the talent that they help nurture. They are demonstrating how Downtown Stockton is a place that can inspire incredible beauty.

You can find more about the 1850 Collective on Facebook and Instagram.

Artists Spotlight

Two of the artists that have their work on display at the Deliberation Room are Jeremy Johnson and Derek Hough. Their piece is perfect for the spooky season of October. “I have always been drawn to incorporating nature or nature elements, into my work. I feel like Derek and I are fairly similar in that respect, which is why I think we were a good fit for the piece. For me personally, I get inspired by the use of color and illumination in a piece. Since one of our favorite times of year (October) was on its way, we thought we would go for a more eerie feel.” shared Johnson. “The idea behind our piece was to draw you in to the work, with some fun color choices but then give the viewer this uneasy feeling, with the creepy characters in the background and spooky trees making crazy faces in the foreground. Derek and I just wanted the viewers to wander into this piece and experience the mystery and oddity of this one moment in time and hopefully walk away feeling inspired by our wild imagination.”

To see more of their work, you can follow Jeremy Johnson on Facebook and Instagram, and Derek Hough can be found on Instagram.

Stockton’s Growing Art Scene

The murals are eye-catching with their vibrant colors and imaginative illustrations. One cannot help but stop and admire the time and the effort that was put in to creating such vivid works of art! They truly reflect the charm of Downtown Stockton and are a reminder that Stockton is a city with a growing artist community!

Promoting this talent, Stockton Arts Week is highlighting the art and culture that Stockton has fostered. Stockton Arts Week started last Friday, October 12th, and will continue until October 21st. Enjoy events like art walks, performances, workshops and more!

For more information on Stockton Arts Week, check out the Visit Stockton website at visitstockton.com

More of the Murals Below

Huddle Cowork

Posted on November 5, 2018August 4, 2023 by digitalgear

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By Andrew Rocha

Supporting Stockton Businesses and Organizations with a Creative Space

Huddle Cowork is a workspace located at the Belding Building, at 110 North San Joaquin Street in Downtown Stockton. Huddle currently provides workspace for around 150 businesses and organizations. Around 60% of those can be considered permanent.

Matthew N. Amen, the executive director of Huddle Cowork, shared that besides providing entrepreneurs with a comfortable work environment, there are also plenty of other perks with a Huddle membership. Including access to Huddle bike share, printing services, fast internet speed, coffee that is provided by local Stockton businesses, a conference room for meetings and other gatherings, a kitchen and cafe area, personal storage and so much more.

Even for people and groups that are not members of Huddle Cowork, they can reserve spaces for events and meetings. The conference room is 400 square feet and can comfortably hold 16 people. The room also includes whiteboards, USB power plugs, a large mounted television, and computer projection adapters. There is also an open room that can be used for events for professional and social gatherings. The room can fit around 60 people and comes with speakers, a mounted projector, furniture, and coffee for all guests.

Permanent Businesses

Patriot Business Lending

Not only does Huddle provide business owners and entrepreneurs a place to work, but also a place to network with others who have similar goals and passions. Damian McCall, the president of Patriot Business Lending, shared that, “The specific thing that drew me to Huddle was the fact that when I went to visit the space, I saw that there were multiple businesses in the space. I liked the idea of being able to network with those each one of the business owners just to establish a relationship with them and know them on an intimate level.”

Patriot Business Lending is a commercial lender that helps people with A, B, C, and D credit get financing to start a business. As their motto says, “If the bank says, NO, we say, YES.” Patriot Business Lending actually finds 80% of the loans that traditional banks turn down. Their specialty is in funding business owners who may have credit issues such as a low credit score, bankruptcy, tax liens, or short-sales and foreclosures.

For more information on Patriot Business Lending, check out their website, www.PatriotBusinessLending.com

Stockton Impact Corps

Gene Acevedo, the executive director of the Stockton Impact Corps, feels that being located at the Huddle is a benefit to the Stockton Impact Corps’ operations. “I love being in this location for several reasons. It’s very centralized. I’m within reach of small businesses in Downtown Stockton. I’m also in the heartland of a place that has huge potential. I love that when I’m chatting with folks, I can just get up and we can take a stroll to see the actual buildings that we’re talking about.”

The Stockton Impact Corps is an organization that supports the vision of entrepreneurs and small business owners by helping structure their business and learn how to make a business plan. If an individual is in need of funding, Stockton Impact Corps will connect them with resources that can provide loans. Essentially, Stockton Impact Corps will help small businesses in their early stages so that those businesses can develop and grow. At this time, Stockton Impact Corps is supporting 25 businesses.

For more information on the Stockton Impact Corps, check out their website, www.StocktonImpactCorps.com, or follow them on Facebook.

Natural Do

Valonne Smith, founder and CEO of Natural Do, is another business owner who has been at the Huddle for quite sometime and plans to stay there for awhile. “I became a member there in 2015 because I loved the space and the people that worked there. It was a great place for me to hold meetings and events. The staff are also absolutely amazing. Although I have moved on and have my own storefront, I plan to stay with them.”

Natural Do is a membership salon and retail store that offers natural hair care products for people with kinky, curly, and wavy hair. The products are natural and organic-based, and that are designed to nourish, strengthen, and maintain healthy hair growth.

For more information on Natural Do, check out their website, www.natural-do.com, or follow them on Facebook.

Heavy Crown Media

Heavy Crown Media is another business that chose to locate their office at the Huddle. Its founders, Marcos Herrera, Stephen Herrera, and Gabriel Maldonado, are more than happy with their decision. “We just fell in love with the aesthetic. The way it looks. The way it feels. The energy you get when you’re doing something creative, you want to be able to have that energy pulled out of you. When you first walk into this building, it’s like someone writing lyrics in the rain, it makes you feel a certain way. When you come to a building like this, and everybody is moving and creating and working together. That’s what made us pick this connection.”

Heavy Crown Media, and the men behind it, specialize in video storytelling, commercials, photography, branding, and graphic design. Not only have they been creatives all their lives, they continue to hone their skills and talents, and whenever they take on a project they want it to not only be good work, but the best work that they can produce.

For more information on Heavy Crown Media, check out their website, HeavyCrownMedia.com, or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

A Place for Visionaries

Huddle Cowork is more than just a location where people come in to go to work. It is a space where visionaries and business owners pursue their dreams and help others reach their goals. As Downtown Stockton grows and flourishes, Huddle will be a part of that growth in attracting more businesses and artists to an area where they can thrive.

For more information on Huddle, check out their website, Huddlecowork.net

D’lilah’s Cakery

Posted on November 5, 2018 by digitalgear

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By Andrew Rocha

Sweetening the Community with Cupcakes

For anyone who has a sweet tooth or who just needs to pick up some treats for a party, D’lilah’s Cakery on the corner of Weber Avenue and Sutter Street is the place to go! Grab some cupcakes and other delicious snacks today!

Unique & Tasty Treats

Having just opened a few weeks ago in Downtown Stockton, D’lilah’s Cakery is already attracting crowds and selling out almost every day that they are open! People just cannot seem to get enough of their unique and tasty treats. Not only do they bake favorite cupcakes like birthday vanilla, birthday chocolate, and red velvet, but also alcohol infused cupcakes like chocolate caramel hennessey, and salted caramel coconut rum.

D’lilah’s also has a hot and steamy peachy cobbler, refreshing and sparkling mermaid lemonades, and aesthetic salted caramel and strawberry shortcake jars. There are plenty of specials and deals throughout the week, like Truffles Tuesdays – purchase any truffle and get one for free! They also have discounts during Happy Hour on the last hour of Wednesday and Saturday, and discounts for students on Student Fridays!

Business in Downtown

When asked how she likes her new location, D’lilah of D’lilah’s Cakery states that,

“Downtown Stockton is perfect. It’s got that city vibe and that artsy type of feel and it’s close to home. So, it just fit and has a good atmosphere.”

With the Cakery being D’lilah’s first storefront, she already loves the experience she’s had in the area and the customers that have visited. But she still has dreams of more!

“I would like a food truck. I would like to franchise, and I’d like to bring a bakery to major cities like San Francisco and L.A., to get it out there, because I feel like we have something that can really take over, so I’m glad that we got to start in the central valley.”

Already, D’lilah’s Cakery is off to a great start! However, because they are so popular and are selling out almost every day, it is important to get there early before the rush of people purchase all the cupcakes and other sweet treats! The Cakery is open Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

D’lilah’s Cakery also makes custom orders. It is best to get those in as soon as possible, optimally two weeks prior to when they are needed. Either stop by to make an order, call them at 209.740.1026, or contact them through their website, www.dlilahscakery.com.

Connect

To keep up to date with everything that D’lilah’s Cakery is doing, follow them on Instagram and on Facebook @dlilahscakery.

D’lilah’s Cakery is sure to keep growing in popularity as the Downtown area is charmed by the sweetness of cupcakes, and the friendliness of the owner and staff!

Basket Caravan

Posted on June 29, 2018 by digitalgear

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By Jessica Nguyen

What is Basket Caravan?

Basket Caravan, located on 311B West Weber Avenue, is a shop specializing in custom-made, gourmet gift baskets. Although the storefront may be small, each individual basket is overflowing with creativity and content. Lisa Chalk-Frausto, Basket Caravan’s owner, decided to open a storefront after exclusively taking orders through Basket Caravan’s website. In response to high demand, Lisa decided to open Basket Caravan’s current Downtown Stockton brick and mortar space in late March of this year.

“A Gift of Great Taste!”

Basket Caravan is the only gift basket service in Downtown Stockton. The gift baskets are completely customizable, and may feature anything from chocolate, healthy treats, or coffee, to aromatherapy spa products! Lisa partners with other businesses in the area to include local products in her baskets, such as jam, coffee, oil, and sunflower seeds. In fact, she’s working on the creation of “209” baskets to be released in the near future that will contain and feature local products exclusively.

Why is Downtown Stockton a Great Location for Basket Caravan?

According to Lisa, “the location is perfect.” Many people who were previously searching for gift shops in Downtown Stockton now have access to unique gifts that are perfect for every occasion. Lisa often has last-minute shoppers who drop by in search of the perfect gift for their family members or friends. Because Lisa has also lived in Stockton for over 40 years, the city has a special place in her heart and she, too, wishes to dispel the myth that Downtown Stockton is a place to be feared. In reality, she believes that in Downtown Stockton, “people are very nice and friendly.” She especially enjoys the atmosphere of live music events that take place in the area.

Lisa also loves “watching the new businesses [in Downtown Stockton] start to prosper and making it like 20 years ago where it was booming. [She]’d like to see it happen again.” Just in the few months since Basket Caravan opened, Lisa has noticed a marked increase in Downtown Stockton foot-traffic and is enthusiastic about the future.

For more information or to place an order, visit Basket Caravan’s Website, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Bikes & Blessings: Deacon Steve and the HUB

Posted on June 15, 2018 by digitalgear

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By Jessica Nguyen

What is the HUB?

The HUB, or Helping Urban Bicyclists, provides FREE services for those who need assistance with bike repairs and maintenance. Operated by Deacon Steve, a well-known and respected leader in the Downtown Stockton community, the HUB is a reflection of his relentless love and compassion for members of the Downtown Stockton community.

Why was the HUB created?

Prior to the existence of the HUB, Deacon Steve worked for years repairing and maintaining bicycles. He noticed that people who couldn’t afford bike parts or repairs were turned away. Out on the streets, he knew there were individuals who had squeaky, derelict bikes as their sole means of transportation. Some resorted to theft as a result of lacking funds to spend towards repairs. Deacon Steve felt inspired to help, stating “we needed to be compassionate.” He decided to create a place where people could receive free bicycle assistance, providing them with the ability to continue traveling to their jobs, doctor’s appointments, and community activities. For those who can’t afford cars, Deacon Steve knows that bikes can serve as vessels to increased mobility, independence, and self-improvement.

Bikes & Blessings

The HUB is a neighbor to the Saint John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, where Deacon Steve serves as (you guessed it!) Deacon. It isn’t surprising then, to learn that the church and the HUB both resonate similar values. In fact, the HUB’s sign depicts the gears of a bicycle around the flag of the church, representing their close tie. But don’t worry- the HUB welcomes anyone and everyone – regardless of religious background. The HUB’s main purpose may be to repair bikes, but people find their way in for various reasons. Inside the HUB, weary bicyclists can find light refreshments (including freshly popped popcorn!), water, and a space to find a moment of peace. Often, individuals will come by to seek guidance from Deacon Steve, or to have a talk with him about spiritual matters while he tinkers away.

Why is Downtown Stockton a Great Location for the HUB?

Deacon Steve believes the HUB’s location allows it (as well as the church) to “stretch their hands of love and compassion to reach people” – and that’s exactly what it does. The HUB’s services are entirely free, as the business relies completely on donations and community partnerships to help others. Since its inception, they’ve assisted countless under-employed and homeless Downtown individuals with their transportation needs. Along with Deacon Steve’s visible love of and devotion to his work at the HUB, he also feels strongly about Stockton as a city. In regards to the stereotypes that often shroud the Downtown Stockton area, he asserts that it is “a myth we need to change- [Downtown Stockton] is not a place to be feared, but a place to be celebrated.” In the 20 years that he’s been here, he’s witnessed the continued revitalization of Downtown Stockton as housing, new restaurants, and small businesses have made Downtown Stockton their home.

The HUB & Full Moon Riders

The HUB is very collaborative and involved with community events, and will even be leading an upcoming Full Moon Riders bike ride. Deacon Steve enjoys this event because, “everyone participates, and that’s the beauty of the Full Moon Riders.” At the July 27^th ride, there will be a bicycle blessing with oils blessed by the bishop. There will also be T-shirts for sale, adorned with an image of Madonna del Ghisallo, the Saint of Cycling. All proceeds will go to the HUB in their continued mission to serve the community.

To learn more about the HUB and their events, follow their Facebook page.

From the Love of Coffee & Stockton

Posted on May 15, 2018 by digitalgear

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By Laura Garcia, Terra Coffee
& Sylwia Lipiec-Qualls,
Communications Manager, Downtown Stockton Alliance

Efrain and Laura Garcia have always loved coffee. Efrain moved here in 2014 while Laura was born and raised in Stockton. A small counter top roaster was always in their kitchen until in 2016 they finally decided to follow their dream and started Terra Coffee Roasters.

Laura and Efrain Garcia, the founders of Terra Coffee Roasters. Photo by CVBJ

“Terra Coffee was built from the love of coffee and our town – Stockton. Right after we started the business, we knew we wanted to have our first brick and mortar location in Downtown Stockton,” reminisces Laura. “The first location to ever serve our signature Cafe de Olla blend was at the Mexican Heritage Center and Gallery in early 2017. We wanted to get down to Efrain’s roots and get an honest opinion on our take of the traditional Mexican coffee. We never thought that a year later we would be partnering up with this non-profit to open our cafe.”

Terra Coffee Roasters started as a Cottage Food Operation regulated by the California Homemade Food Act which allows certain foods, known as Cottage Foods, to be made in private homes and sold to the public. The Garcias source coffee beans around the world and micro-roast them at home weekly in six-pound batches, making every batch with the utmost care.

At first, Laura and Efrain only catered at local events and venues while keeping a look out for a permanent location. They finally put down their roots in the artsy, colorful space at 111 South Sutter Street where the Mexican Heritage Center and Gallery had been located since 2011.

Terra Coffee opened their brick & mortar location at the Mexican Heritage Center & Gallery.

“It was a long and patient wait to find our downtown location. We knew that we wanted to be part of the downtown revitalization and when the Mexican Heritage Center heard we were looking for a place, they reached out to us and in January 2018 we opened our doors,” fondly remembers Laura.

The cafe is open from 7 am to 4 pm on weekdays and for special events at the Gallery. Terra’s freshly roasted artisan coffee, hand-crafted drinks and locally sourced pastries have already earned them a strong following. The Garcias take pride in their business and product and it shows!

Asked for a piece of advise for other small businesses, Laura offered: “While our story is definitely a unique one, we hope to inspire our community to follow their dreams and to be a part of their town, Stockton. Whether it’s buying from a local business or starting their own.”