Marc 49: An Oakland hot spot for the classic cocktail movement, with a focus on creative cocktails and sustainable cuisine with locally sourced ingredients

I grew up in a liberal suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. The youngest of three children, I grew up in a mixed religious household. The exposure to multiple religions gave me the opportunity to explore the world unlike many of my friends. My grandmother is the one who instilled the love of hospitality in me. She always had an extra gift and an extra place at the table for any occasion. She was a superb cook (no one makes it like grandma!) and I was often her helper in the kitchen as a little girl.

As I grew older, I found the hospitality industry to be a natural fit. Beginning my career as a barista in high school and continuing on to fine dining before enrolling in college, where I received a bachelor’s degree in economics. I spent nearly 20 years in the food and beverage industry and have worked in almost all positions, from back of the house where I shucked oysters to front of the house where I managed the bar and events.

I moved to Oakland in 2008, where I discovered Marc 49 and fell in love with the community.

When I first discovered Marc 49 in 2008 it was a wine bar in the charming Temescal district. I would frequent Marc until 2013, when I was hired on by Dezman Turner. A year prior, Dezman came on to the team and expanded the liquor license to include a full bar and quickly turned Marc into a hot spot of Oakland for the classic cocktail movement. With a focus on creative cocktails and sustainable cuisine with locally sourced ingredients, we began to get more attention beyond the Temescal district.

At the beginning of 2014, the former owner of Marc 49 mentioned he was planning on selling the business and asked if we would have an interest in purchasing it from him. Dezman and I moved forward. In January of 2015, we purchased the business. After having owned the business for nearly a year, Dez and I see the ability to grow further within the community.

Marc 49 is burgeoning community hangout. It’s a place where someone can make a new friend at the bar or have an intimate dinner in our quaint dining room. For larger gatherings and nice days, our dog friendly patio is the ultimate spot to relax with friends and loved ones. From date nights to supper clubs to private events, we offer a unique experience, no matter your flavor.

We are excited to share our spirit with the Kiva community. With your pledge of support Marc 49, Temescal, and the Oakland community will continue to prosper.

This loan provides us with capital to purchase newer kitchen and bar equipment that is more energy efficient, reduces labor expenses, and enhances our ability to deliver a more enjoyable customer experience.