Oakland needs to step up to promote shopping locally
I have to applaud Oakland’s independent business owners for their creativity in presenting unique products and their practically in meeting traditional needs. Thanks to sophisticated house wares at Someone’s In The Kitchen, decadent antiques from All Things Vintage, and an array of gift certificates for dining, groceries, car service, and salon treatments, my entire Christmas list, including a cache of recyclable lottery tickets, was filled locally. I parked free in Montclair (with validation), Rockridge (BART lot), Dimond (pick your pleasure), and Lakeshore (under 580). I could have drove less if I had planned better, but I still found buying Oakland easier and more enjoyable then a trip to the mall. With more awareness of what Oakland has to offer and some hands-on exploration, your dollars can stay and multiply in your community.
If we are going to shop local then we need to know local. We are not only creatures of habit, we are creatures of convenience, as careful with our time as with our cash. To get consumers to form new habits requires tools to make new behaviors adaptable. As websites like Oakland Unwrapped become more sophisticated, I imagine uploading your shopping list and the all-Oakland search will bounce back the stores that meet your needs. How about within a mile of your location, or on your route to work, or from certified green businesses, isn’t there an app for that?
Currently Oakland has a communication problem, not just among city departments, but also in how residents discover the wonderful neighborhoods, the one-of-a-kind stores, and those trend setting dining experiences you want to be the first to rave about. As the City turns to technology to better integrate resources and cut waste, Oakland businesses are tapping community email lists, social media, and saddling marketing trends like Groupon and Living Social that appeal to cost conscious consumers through one-time, deeply discounted promotions, hoping that the bait will snag a loyal customer.
