We are a non-profit organization located in Oakland, California. We strongly believe that conscious
and ethical shopping by individuals can create and sustain economic
development and neighborhood revitalization in our communities.
By providing a fun and easy-to-use shopping and gift registry website,
we will be a catalyst for this powerful method of community support.
Scalable, Sustainable, Locally-owned
While we are starting in our own community -- Oakland -- we will
expand rapidly to help transform the economies of other communities
throughout the U.S. In every Unwrapped! location, the merchants
and artists in that community will eventually become owners of their
Unwrapped! co-op.
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Oakland Unwrapped is approaching small business development from the
consumer (demand) side, providing a necessary element of small business
development that is currently missing from most economic development
strategies.
Current strategies focus on the business (supply)
side of the market, funding organizations and agencies that provide
training and financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs. We
augment these strategies by bringing customers to these strengthened
businesses and entrepreneurs.
Specifically, Oakland Unwrapped! is helping small businesses and artists compete and survive by:
- Making it easy for customers to find and shop for their goods and services on the Internet.
- Providing cutting edge, sophisticated marketing that gives small businesses credibility and exposure - making shopping local cool.
- Educating the community about the economic, social and environmental benefits of shopping at local independent stores.
Learn more about us and our plans
Our Passion - mission, vision and motivations
Our Plans - what we plan to do and how
Our People - the Oakland Unwrapped team
Our Contact Info - we encourage artists, merchants, community members and other interested individuals to contact us. We want to build this local resource together!
