“I like to think of myself as a community activist,” San Diego
restaurateur David Cohn said. “We’ve always been involved
in the communities we’ve been in. I’ve seen people not get
involved for whatever reason. But I think you would want to
make sure that you’re part of the decision-making process, and
part of the growth of the community.”
Cohn said his efforts in the
Gaslamp Quarter Association and
other community groups have
translated to close relationships
with city government and police
that come in handy when his businesses or neighborhoods are trying
to accomplish something, such as
street improvement and beautification projects.
So, considering all the potential
DAVID COHN
rewards, why would a restaurateur
resist getting involved?
“Certainly time is the biggest reason,” Cohn said. “There was
a point when I was spending a tremendous amount of time in
various groups.”
Cohn said he considers his years of playing a huge role
serving on committees as “paying dues.” At a certain point,
established business owners can hand over responsibilities to
younger entrepreneurs, while still offering their perspective
and experience, he said.
“In the end I would suggest you get involved in any way that
you can,” Cohn said. “It’s hard to get out with such a time-consuming job and sometimes have to force yourself. But I’m a
great believer in karma, and if you do good things it will come
back to you, even if it’s not clear how.”
“Jack London Square is going through a pretty
serious makeover right now and recreating itself.”
Oakland – notoriously known as a An early investor in Jack London Square Hoemann said it was the potential to be
stepsister to the other glittering city was Joie de Vivre, which opened Miss part of an innovative culinary community
by the Bay – is notably attracting the Pearl’s Jam House, a reincarnation of that attracted Joie de Vivre to the area.
attention of top restaurateurs because the former San Francisco institution, on
As an early player in the square, though,
of it’s significantly less expensive to run the waterfront in August.
the 8,000-square-foot restaurant is
a business there.
“Jack London Square is going through counting on many of the office projects
“There’s cheaper labor, cheaper rent and a pretty serious makeover right now under construction to bring in mid-week
landlords are more flexible,” Dern said. and recreating itself,” said Dave and lunchtime crowds.
“Talented chefs are going to gravitate to Hoemann, vice president of Joie de
“The more there is to do down here,
Oakland because all the reasons why it’s Vivre Restaurants. “We’re on the
the more people will come,” said Erin
difficult to go to a restaurant in the city ground floor of the redevelopment with
Gilchrist, regional manager for Joie de
(including parking and cost) is going to a new hotel, meeting and banquet
Vivre. “Twelve to 16 additional restau-
be taken care of at Jack London Square.” space and restaurant, but there was
rants will only help us, because it will
definitely a footprint of traffic that had
Much of the success of the square, make Jack London Square a dining
been coming to the area for years.”
however, hinges on Jack London destination.”
Market – a massive food center
Jack London Market promises to rival Pike Place Market in Seattle.
promised to surpass the Ferry
Building in San Francisco and
Pike Place in Seattle.
Vendors for the market are being
similarly cherry-picked, and
the open date has been pushed
back several times to ensure the
highest quality purveyors. It will
feature local and sustainable
sources, as well as dining
options and cooking classes.
“The market is going to be
a place where the culinary
community can come
together and interact,” said
Jordan Pierce, spokesman
for Jack London Square.
“The space is going to be
really dynamic.”
