Understory Oakland will celebrate its 5th Anniversary this Sunday, March 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its current location at 3340 International Blvd in Oakland.
The milestone comes nearly a year after the worker-owned restaurant reopened at its International Boulevard space in April 2025, following a 10-month hiatus after closing its former Old Oakland location in July 2024.
Founded in 2020 in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on restaurant workers of color, Understory was built as a collectively governed, worker-owned model centered on shared decision-making. Over the past five years, it has operated as both a dining destination and community gathering space, emphasizing accessibility, inclusion, and community care.
Ownership includes Jenabi Pareja, Nino Serrano, Florencio Esquivel, and, recently, welcomed new worker-owners from our candidacy program, Sunshine Velasco and Rochelle Bunyapanasarn. Guests can expect the same globally inspired menu, featuring vegan and gluten-free options, along with beer and wine service. The restaurant continues to operate under its worker-owned model centered on collective governance and shared decision-making.
The anniversary event marks both a celebration of longevity and a reaffirmation of the collective’s commitment to Oakland’s community.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this article stated the company was working on a new site, when that is untrue.
Photo: Official
