Phoenix from Ashes: How the Oakland Community Saved a Struggling Pizzeria

An Oakland pizzeria that was on the brink of closure has been saved thanks to the community’s support. Philomena, which opened in 2016, was struggling to stay afloat due to rising food costs and other challenges that come with owning a business. In an effort to save the pizzeria, the restaurant issued a letter asking for help from its customers.

The letter asked customers, known as the “Philomena Phamily,” to support the restaurant in various ways. This included dining in and spreading joy, ordering directly from the restaurant instead of through a third-party, purchasing gift cards, celebrating at the restaurant, ordering catering services, and completing a survey.

The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive, and the pizzeria was able to remain open. In an Instagram post, the restaurant expressed its gratitude to its loyal customers, both long-time and new, for their continued support. The community support is what ultimately allowed Philomena to stay in business.

The original Philomena location is at 1801 14th Avenue while the new location is at 5333 Adeline Street which does not have a dining room but it does have outdoor seating area which makes it perfect for people who want to enjoy fresh pizza while taking in some sunshine. The pizzeria is grateful for the support of the community and looks forward to serving customers for years to come