After a fire damaged a clothing store in Oakland on Monday, the local community is trying to raise money for the business through an online fundraiser.
The clothing store is called Dope Era and is owned by local hip-hop artist Mistah F.A.B. As of Friday afternoon, the fundraiser had raised more than $27,000 of the $30,000 goal amount.
Three people were injured, and scores of tenants were displaced following a three-alarm fire that ripped through a five-story building in the 1700 block of Broadway on Monday at about 7 a.m. About 60 firefighters responded to the blaze, which was under control by 8:40 a.m.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to an update issued by the city Tuesday.
Dope Era, which was located on the first floor of the building, suffered heavy water damage, according to the online fundraiser created by a group of community leaders, including Oakland-based organization Urban Peace Movement.
The fundraiser describes the business as a “cultural hub and a community gathering space” that is left “stranded” after the insurance company refused to honor the insurance policy.
“There will be considerable costs due to cleanup, damaged inventory, loss of income for employees and the business, potential relocation,” the fundraiser page reads. “We are asking you to stand with us in donating to help make his (business) bounce back quicker at a time when we are losing so many of our local and Black-owned businesses.”