Jessica Moncada-Konte’s family has been in the Bay Area for generations, including her father’s work with local hip-hop acts and her stepmother’s Owl N Wood clothing store. After doing some soul-searching, Moncada-Konte is ready to put her own mark on the Oakland business scene by opening her very own bottle shop. 

Proof – Oakland Bottle Shop, will actually open its doors at the same location where Owl N Wood was once located before moving to Old Oakland. When it opens, Moncada-Konte hopes that it will build a long-lasting relationship with members of the community.

“I want Proof to be approachable and not intimidating,” Moncada-Konte told KQED Food. “I want to be able to recognize the folks who walk in.”

Once it opens, Proof will sell products ranging from $10 to $300 and host wine tastings, workshops and other local events.

Moncada-Konte is fully aware of the significance of opening a business in Oakland during a period of real estate growth.

“We definitely need a lot more Black-owned businesses in Downtown Oakland, especially with this surge that’s happening,” she told East Bay Express.

With only 10 days left to go, Moncada-Konte has raised more than $17,000 of her $45,000 goal on Kickstarter, where she hopes the community can help raise a third of the funding needed to help get things started.

Photo Courtesy: Neil Roche