Oaklandside just announced plans for a restaurant and community gathering space called For the Culture, which will open in early 2022. The business will be establishing itself in downtown Oakland at 710 Clay St., in the former Mexicali Rose which closed in 2018 after 91 years.
For the Culture owner Chris Rachal plans to maintain the original building’s integrity, repairing the neon pink Mexicali Rose sign and keeping the pink exterior, as well as the interior murals depicting Aztec life. “We don’t just abolish history. We’re all a product of some sort of history,” Rachal tells Oaklandside. “And I think Oakland needs that.”
As for his new plans, Rachal will create more space for interior seating, in addition to adding a bar and a stage. He gathered a dozen local muralists to revitalize the exterior, using hues of purple and pink to go with the building’s original color. Rachal intends For the Culture to be a melting pot of flavors.
In addition to implementing a taqueria in the space, he will host a rotation of eight food trucks in the surrounding outside area. Beyond food, For the Culture is a space for the Oakland community to come together and pay tribute to its culture. It is intended as a platform for local artists and community members to take a stand against abounding gentrification. Stay tuned on Instagram for more information.
