(KRON) — Firebrand Artisan Breads, a well-liked East Bay bakery, will shut its Oakland location on the finish of the week. In an Instagram publish on Tuesday, Firebrand stated it could shut the situation Friday after “10 really good years.”
The choice, the bakery stated, “was not made lightly” and comes after “careful consideration and hand wringing.”
The placement at 2343 Broadway is on the finish of its lease, in accordance with proprietor Matt Kreutz. Whereas the publish talked about “energy that was palpable and hope that new businesses coming to downtown Oakland would bring fresh new life back to a cherished community,” it additionally listed various challenges the bakery had confronted.
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A few of them, like a slower-than-expected bounce again from COVID, and elevated crime, have been acquainted from comparable closure posts from eating places, bars and cafes throughout the Bay Space.
“We’ve been through a large electrical fire, Covid, so many break-ins, increased theft and assaults (at times to employees and customers),” the publish continued, happening to say “neighboring small and large businesses alike closing all around us.”
“The list of things we’ve dealt with could fill a book, but I am so incredibly proud of what was created and what we accomplished,” Kreutz added. “I’m grateful and humbled by all the amazing people that made Firebrand go for all these years.”
“As our lease comes to an end, I’ve been faced with the very hard decision to end our time in Oakland,” he continued.
Firebrand will, nevertheless, preserve its close by location in Alameda and apparently, switch its remaining Oakland employees to that location.
“Closing our Oakland location allows us to combine our teams in our beautiful location in Alameda which is located only minutes away and has been going strong for about three years now.”
“We have some surprises and upgrades in store for our Alameda cafe and though we are sad to leave Oakland, we aren’t leaving you — our customers. Come visit the cafe in Alameda, we’re just on the other side of the tunnel and we can’t wait to see you!” the publish concluded.
Earlier this 12 months, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the bakery was dealing with a wage-theft lawsuit from a former worker together with a separate wage-theft declare from the California Division of Industrial Relations.
