With closure of Pomella, Oakland loses a valuable community gathering place
Briefly

Pomella, owned by chef Mica Talmor, is set to close on May 26, leaving a void in the local community. Apart from serving food, the restaurant transformed into a communal space on Piedmont Avenue, hosting activities like letter-writing, holiday gatherings, and fitness classes. It became a center for diverse groups, including a Zumba class that thrived on its patio, thanks to Talmor's generosity. Her initiative to support local groups during COVID-19 fostered camaraderie among patrons, highlighting the restaurant's role beyond just dining.
Pomella took the traditional role of a restaurant as a third space to a whole new level, becoming a kind of community center on Piedmont Avenue.
Talmor was a Zumba student before Covid; when things shut down, she offered the patio free of charge, building community through exercise.
Read at www.berkeleyside.org
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