Public Market Plans to Rebuild
On May 30, 2024, a devastating three-alarm fire engulfed the Lake Chabot Public Market, collapsing the roof and destroying six businesses. Even though it's only been a week, there is a plan to rebuild, according to Hans Cho, owner of Mama Cho's BBQ and whose family owns the public market.
“We’re literally taking it day by day,” Cho told the Forum. “Without understanding the full picture, it’s hard to make any informed decisions. We already know the market will take a few years to rebuild, but in terms of Mama Cho's BBQ, we’d love to reopen at a limited capacity in the upcoming months with options such as home delivery, pop-ups, and catering.”
He added that many people have asked to start a GoFundMe to support the market, its vendors, and its employees.
In the meantime, employees like Castro Valley resident Nathaniel de la Torre are still shocked by the loss of the entire Public Market.
“It’s so sad for all the business owners and vendors I knew,” de la Torre told the Forum. “I used to work at T4 and Pokeatery before it closed up, and then I worked for Poke Go for nine months. I got to know the owner, and we would talk about her life and her family business. So, losing the Market to the fire, it just kind of sucks because it was like a family.”
Here’s where the businesses stand at this point.
C&H Meat Company and Mama Cho’s BBQ
C&H was founded in 1982 by James K. Cho, who opened it as C.H. Meat & Deli on Market Street in San Francisco. The company supplied many local Korean restaurants and markets in the Bay Area.
In the early 2010s, the family purchased and converted the former Lil Grocer store on Lake Chabot Road into the Public Market to expand its business. At the soft opening on September 30, 2015, C&H was the first business to open. It had state-of-the-art cutting machines and cold storage lockers.
Mama Cho’s is named after the family matriarch. The hot food counter offered Korean-style burgers, sandwiches, tacos, burritos, rice bowls, and loaded fries.
Milk & Cookie Bar
Hans also lost his own startup, Milk & Cookie Bar, which he ran separately from the family's butchery. The standup offered a fusion of unique ice cream flavors with custom toppings that could be sandwiched in between homemade cookies, cones, cups, or doughnuts (called Doughboys).
“There are a lot of emotions going through my mind as far as the next steps,” Hans Cho said. “Thankfully, the building was vacant, and no one was harmed. We are grateful for the safety of our neighbors.”
Shumi Ramen
Shumi Ramen was founded by Kenny Ho and Winnie Chu in 2016 as a tribute to their daughter, Audrey. Audrey was born at Eden Hospital and was a true ramen lover. She tragically passed away at 17. To celebrate her life, Kenny and Winnie channeled their love and memories into creating Shumi Ramen
Even before the fire, the couple made immense efforts to keep the business afloat, including paying off a business loan. However, they say they now face the harsh reality of debt collectors from outstanding contract obligations, all while struggling to cover basic living expenses.
“We are reaching out to our customers, community supporters, and business partners with a humble plea for donations,” the company posted on its website. “Your support will help Kenny and Winnie cover their debts, living expenses, and the costs of rebuilding Shumi Ramen. Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in their journey to recovery.”
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-poke-go-suki-and-family-recover-from-devastating-loss
Poke Go
Suki Lin opened Poke Go in the Public Market in 2023 following the departure of Pokeatery. The shop offered nine different seafood options, atop rice or greens, with vegetable side options, Japanese sauces, and toppings like pickled radish, seaweed salad, or wasabi.
The Castro Valley location is the family's second Poke bowl shop. Lin and her husband opened the first Poke Go in Lafayette on Mount Diablo Boulevard, which still operates.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-poke-go-suki-and-family-recover-from-devastating-loss
T4 – boba
The company is a chain founded in Taiwan in 2004. The boba and tea maker is found all around the world and has 50 stores in California alone, including San Francisco, San Jose, Palo Alto, Oakland, Alameda, San Leandro, Hayward, Fremont, Milpitas, Dublin, San Ramon, Concord, and Antioch.
Representatives with the company were not immediately available to comment on their Castro Valley store.