Pop-up shops? So 2011. Popuphoods? Hello, 2012.

With the New Year just around the corner, Old Oakland’s new neighborhood revitalization effort, Popuphood, just kicked-off thanks to locals Alfonso Dominguez and Sarah Filley. Their creative concept to breathe life into the locale’s hip, historic downtown offers up a curated selection of six new retail shops in once vacant storefronts. Rounding out the eclectic mix of eateries and nightspots, the artsy new vendors—from vintage threads to handmade local designs—give folks a place to dine, drink and browse, while exploring the charming, tree-lined hood and investing locally.  

With six months free rent (now that’s a Merry Christmas!) retailers include: Manifesto Bicycles, Marion and Rose’s Workshop, Sticks + Stones Gallery, Piper and John General Goods, Turtle and Hare, and Crown Nine. The shops are centered at 9th and Washington Streets at Broadway in Oakland.

Here's an inside peek at this undiscovered Oakland hot spot. Read more...