Buy Black & Brown this Holiday Season! The Pleasure Principleโs 12 days of Christmas Shopping Guide.
The holiday season often represents an opportunity for small businesses to experience exponential growth in aย short span of time. More often still, the holidays are what keeps small businesses afloat- particularly Black & Brown owned businesses and even more particularly; womenย Black & Brown owned businesses. Thatโs why weโve put together this shopping guide for the 2019 Holiday Season. Weโve highlighted some our favorite places to shop, eat or hang out; making sure to try to keep the focus local, women-identified, POC owned. Letโs get shopping!
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:ย
1. Red Bay Coffee -ย
Red Bay Coffee Roasters was founded in 2014 by Keba Konte, a renowned artist and successful food entrepreneur with deep roots in the San Francisco Bay Area specialty coffee and hospitality industry. Red Bay Coffee and itโs various properties around the Bay Area have become fixtures of the community; offering a safe space for all but particularly POC, queer and other marginalized communities. They have awesome gifts like the gift set picture above ($50) available on their website, redbaycoffee.com.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
2. Esscents of Flowers -
As an Oakland native, Ariana Marbley thought it extremely important to lay claim to a rapidly changing area by bringing her passion into the world. In 2015, she decided to put her fears aside and Esscents Of Flowers was born. Esscents functions as aย โflower shop on wheelsโ; often popping up at farmerโs markets or special events. Marbleyโs services are available somewhat on demand- you can call directly to schedule floral delivery, in-home arrangements or have her vend at your next event. Her arrangements make awesome gifts for hosts this holiday season. Visit esscentsofflowers.com or callย (510) 394-2381.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
3. Two Chicks in The Mix -
Mmmmmm! Pie- delicious pie!ย
The summer of 2013, Malaka approached her bestie since high school, Erica, with a crazy idea: let's start a business! Their love for pastries and food led them into the kitchen and from then on they were Two Chicks in the Mix. Their homestyle pies and confections are truly mouth-watering and make fantastic gifts for the dessert-loving-foodie in your life! Order by 11/14 for Thanksgiving dinner!ย www.twochicksinthemix.com
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
4. Super Juiced -
Super Juiced owners, Emanne Desouky and Rana Halpern want to empower their people and their families to make better food choices for themselves to inspire them to live the life they dream about everyday. They believe that eating organic vegetables and fruits everyday is not a luxury or a privilege, it is a human right. Check out their super cute juice bar in downtown Oakland (adjacent to Swanโs Market) and you might stumble into a tarot card reading or a delicious smoothie tasting. They have gift certificates available for that friend of yours whoโs just now trying the juice cleanse.ย www.oaklandisjuiced.com
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
5. Matatu -
Named after rural share taxis in Kenya, MATATU is a performative think tank engaging in a public inquiry around the role of the African Diaspora in a contemporary American context that asks, โHow does an Afro-Future actually materialize without some intentional framing by creative citizens from around the Diaspora,โ and โWhere are the occasions to envision strategies for health in post-colonial Black culture?โ The manifestation of these questions is often realized through Matatuโs engaging series of art-driven events. They offer year-round programming and tickets to their events make awesome, intelligent gifts.ย www.matatu.co
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
6. Panshade -
A new concept in clothing, created by Bay Area native, Diana Byrd; Panshade offers a curated selection of monochromatic looks from an assortment of womenโs clothing brands and styles. Theyโve created a simple way to shop the hue thatโs right for you! Shop their styles for your most fashionable friends this holiday! www.panshade,com
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
7. Cupcakin -
(photo courtesy of Christina Yan, SF Eater)
Cupcakinโ Bake Shop is the realized vision of owner Lila Owens. She started a home-based cupcake catering business in 2007. But the ultimate goal was to open a cute little bake shop where she could showcase her passion for baking to a larger audience. Lila wanted a fun culture, adorable dรฉcor and artisan baked goods made from high quality, sustainable ingredients. With the awesome support of some key people in her life Cupcakinโ Bake Shop became a reality with the opening of the Berkeley, CA location in 2014. Now, with a newly opened second location in Swanโs Market in downtown Oakland, you have another opportunity to get your hands on Lilaโs delicious desserts. Cupcakinโ is hella sweet! Gift cards and boxes available at: cupcakinbakeshop.com
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
8. Owl N Wood -
OwlNWood started as a small local retail brick & mortar shop founded in 2012 by Rachel Konte. They believe in simple and functional styles. This is not fashion, this is easy timeless products made in Oakland California. Their collection of beautiful basics are designed under the label O.N.W. by OwlNWood. The O.N.W. Collections of small batch locally designed and sewn products are all made with comfort in mind. Buy beautiful things for the beautiful people in your life at owlnwood.com.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
9. Cosecha -
Tamales by Cosecha are a yearly tradition. Typically offered at Christmas, they sell out- fast and early! Get your orders in ASAP and in the mean time, Cosecha has catered food services available for all your holiday party needs. www.cosechacafe.com
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
10. Proof Mobile Bar Services -
(Proof drawing by Lynne Tanzer)
Proof was founded in 2017 by Jessica Moncada-Konte. Born and raised in Oakland, Jessica fell in love with food, wine, hospitality, and most importantly food education after she working at Chez Panisse Restaurant and Cafรฉ, in Berkeley. As a classically trained bartender, she went on to develop her dedication to the food revolution while working at slow food and farm-to-table restaurants, including Bourbon & Branch, Cask, and Flora to name a few. Book Proof Mobile Bar services for your next holiday and truly WOW your guests! www.proofbottle.com
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
11. Skin by Maisha -
At Skin by Maisha, they understand lifeโs cycles and shifts. Most importantly, they understand life comes full circle for the betterment of each individual good. During your journey, Skin by Maisha is here to help you gain and maintain healthy beautiful skin. Theyโve got great skincare packages and organic products available for thoughtful gift giving this holiday season. Shop now at:ย skinbymaisha.com.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
12. The Pleasure Principle Supperclub & Dining Eventsย
Rounding out our holiday shopping guide, YOURS TRULY! The Pleasure Principle celebrates the dynamic and exciting cuisines of the Caribbean, North & West Africa and the American South- with an emphasis on local and seasonal Californian ingredients. We are a Black woman owned and driven enterprise with a keen focus on the support of our community(ies).
This season, weโre offering HOLDAY EMPANADAS in addition to our holiday catering services and drop-off packages! Empanada variations we have available from now through January 2020 include:
โข Traditional Argentinian with ground beef, raisins, olives served with chimichurri salsa
โข Braised Oxtail with allspice, roasted tomatoes, mole, sheepโs milk cheese served with chile & garlic vinegar sauce
โข Shredded jerk chicken with bell peppers, onions and pine nuts served with savory yogurt sauce
โข Potato & Onion with madras curry, epazote & cilantro served with a sweet & sour mango chutney
Order for Thanksgiving by 11/19! www.pleasureprinciplediningevents.com
Happy Shopping lovelies!ย