Uhuru Furniture & Collectibles, a pillar in Oakland, California for 34 years offering budget-friendly vintage items and promoting sustainability, is set to close its doors on October 22. According to SFGate, the store's sister location in Philadelphia will also be closing due to the severe economic pressures hampering small businesses nationwide.
Managed by the African People's Education and Defense Fund (APEDF), Uhuru Furniture has been a source of volunteer openings and job training for several years. These closures follow the economic crisis in the country punctuated by escalating rents and upsurging costs of gas, food, and merchandise, which directly impact local communities. Moreover, these hardships are tough on African, Indigenous, Mexican, and Puerto Rican communities, as detailed on Uhuru's website.
The decision to close was reached after a thorough review found that continuous operation of the store had become untenable because of spiraling costs. This assessment was shared by Jeanine Griswa, assistant manager at the Oakland store for 32 years, explaining the store was no longer a viable means to raise funds for the rapidly growing national organization, APEDF. Furthermore, economic conditions make it difficult to handle a business of this nature despite Uhuru's widely appreciated recycled furniture initiative and job training programs.
News of the closure upset existing customers, many of whom have been dedicated patrons of Uhuru for years. The closure points to numerous factors, manifesting the gentrification of Oakland's traditional African community, the discontinuation of supplemental SNAP benefits in Philadelphia in early 2023, and the rising costs that halted the stores from managing expenses, remunerating employees, and maintaining affordable furniture prices.
Visibility and sustainability are tremendous hurdles for small businesses like Uhuru, particularly in predominantly African and underserved communities. Rising insurance costs, the unique challenges Black-owned businesses face, and the inability to infinitely increase prices all contribute to this ongoing struggle. Griswa, while empathizing with the disappointed customers, was clear that a crowdfunding campaign could only stave off the unavoidable closure temporarily, falling short of providing a durable solution to Uhuru's financial challenges.
That said, the APEDF encourages supporters to directly contribute to its website or partake in its volunteer efforts to support their work. Additionally, the nonprofit has launched a Uhuru pie sale for the holiday season to generate funds. People are still allowed to donate furniture until October 15, and in-person and online shopping are still possible until the closure date. Griswa revealed that the goal is to raise $5,000 for APEDF's projects by the time the store closes and has invited people to share their Uhuru Furniture experiences to maintain its legacy.
Notwithstanding the closure of Uhuru Furniture, the APEDF's assistance for the African community continues through the Uhuru House—an East Oakland community center—and Akwaaba Hall on MacArthur Boulevard which provides a low-cost venue for various events according to SFGate.
In addition to the above, the organization's national efforts will forge ahead through their Black Power Blueprint programs based in St. Louis, Missouri, which includes initiatives like an African farmer's market and community garden, a basketball court, a doula training program, and a women's health center. Further details can be found on Uhuru's website.
