A company that specializes in repurposing vacant properties as community spaces said it plans to turn the Half Price Books storefront in Downtown Berkeley into a local spot for art and shopping.
The storefront at 2036 Shattuck Ave. has stood vacant since the Half Price Books closed last year. The space will become an arts marketplace and gallery dedicated to displaying and selling art, handmade goods and products made by local Berkeley artists and small businesses. Vendors will be able to sell directly to the public.
Zero Empty Spaces describes itself as a national company that transforms vacant property into community spaces through real estate and economic development. Typically, they create artist studios, so the marketplace will be a new model. This will be Zero Empty Spaces’ first project in California.
“We are taking an underutilized storefront and turning it into a platform where local artists, makers, designers, and small businesses can gain visibility, connect directly with customers, and participate in Downtown Berkeley’s economic and cultural life,” said Evan Snow, co-founder of Zero Empty Spaces.
“We are taking an underutilized storefront and turning it into a platform where local artists … participate in Downtown Berkeley’s economic and cultural life.”
Evan Snow, co-founder of Zero Empty Spaces
They are working with the city, several local organizations and local businesses to create the new space. Gordon Commercial Real Estate Services is providing the space at a discounted rate for the storefront’s initial six months beginning in August, while its long-term future is worked out.
Business nonprofit Downtown Berkeley Association and Visit Berkeley helped facilitate the new use of the storefront as part of their efforts to strengthen downtown vitality, according to a news release.
Downtown Berkeley Association CEO John Canner said they were proud to “transform one of Downtown’s most visible vacant storefronts into a space that supports artists, encourages exploration, and brings new energy to the Addison Arts District.”
“Creativity, culture, and innovation are Berkeley hallmarks,” said Jeffrey Church, President and CEO of Visit Berkeley in a statement. “The addition of Zero Empty Spaces to our electric Arts District adds to the glow. We’re a proud partner of this progressive, first-in-California artist collaboration that will create new opportunities for artists and attract even more visitors to Berkeley, one of the most dynamic destinations across the Bay Area and beyond.”
There will be an open house preview this Saturday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m. to noon, so people can tour the space and get information about participation and their opening timeline.
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