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

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!