Understory, the worker-owned restaurant collective in Oakland, is lining up its next move in Fruitvale, eyeing a new space at 1419 34th Avenue #101 and filing for a liquor license in the process. The filing does not spell out whether the 34th Avenue unit would become a second outpost or a full relocation from the current Fruitvale address on International Boulevard, but either scenario points to a bigger beverage program built on the same worker-owned governance and community-focused mission.
According to WhatNow, the paperwork specifically lists the 34th Avenue suite and flags the addition of a liquor license. The outlet also highlighted Understory's rotating menu and its standout nonalcoholic drinks, including ube horchata and house-made tepache, along with daytime, brunch and dinner offerings that pull from Southeast Asian and Latinx food traditions.
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control's priority-registration list shows Understory Worker Collective LLC among Alameda County applicants for Original On-Sale General licenses, meaning the collective entered the state drawing for new on-site liquor permits. That ranking is a procedural step, with winners to be notified and then invited to file a formal application, rather than an immediate green light to pour alcohol.
Location: A Community Hub On 34th Avenue
The 1419 34th Avenue building houses Restore Oakland, a community-owned hub that includes nonprofits, shared offices and event space, a backdrop that tracks neatly with Understory's community-first approach. Understory says it was founded in 2020 by Lily Fahsi-Haskell, Jenabi Pareja, Nino Serrano and Florencio Esquivel, and its website currently lists 3340 International Boulevard as the operating address (Understory).
Menu, Drinks And Worker Ownership
If the liquor filing is eventually approved, Understory could grow its beverage list from fermented drinks and elaborate mocktails into a full beer, wine and spirits program, while keeping the diasporic, seasonal dishes its worker-owners are known for. Coverage of the filing described a menu that pulls influences from Thai, Mexican, Filipino, Vietnamese, Salvadoran and Turkish cuisines (WhatNow), and local reporting has tracked the collective's return to Fruitvale after a 2024 closure and a 2025 relaunch that expanded cafe hours and community programming (Berkeleyside).
How The Liquor Filing Works
Once a license application moves forward, state rules require public notice and a 30-day window for protests. During that period, anyone can file a written protest with the agency, and those submissions are reviewed to see whether they meet the criteria for a valid objection. If a protest is deemed valid, the case can head to an administrative hearing, and the agency provides detailed instructions on forms and deadlines for people who want to participate in the process (ABC).
Understory has not shared additional public details beyond the filing. Its website lists current hours, events and community offerings, and remains the best place to watch for official updates (Understory). If a formal state notice appears at 1419 34th Avenue or the application advances, neighbors and supporters will get a formal chance to weigh in.
