A popular restaurant now makes an unexpected closure and leaves Oakland for another Bay Area city, local news outlets report.
A beloved Puerto Rican restaurant in the East Bay, La Perla Puerto Rican Cuisine, has announced its impending closure in Oakland, marking the end of an era for many local diners.
The restaurant, situated at 3409 Fruitvale Ave., will serve its final meals on Saturday, November 30, before moving to a new location in Castro Valley.
In a heartfelt message shared on social media, La Perla expressed deep gratitude to its patrons, stating, “As we prepare to close our doors in Oakland, we wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for the love and support you’ve shown La Perla Puerto Rican Cuisine over the years.
Serving you in this vibrant community has been a true privilege, and we’ll forever cherish the memories and friendships we’ve built here.”
This sentiment reflects the strong connections the restaurant has formed within the community since its inception.
La Perla is relocating approximately 15 miles south to Castro Valley, where it will set up shop at the Castro Valley Marketplace, located at 3295 Castro Valley Blvd.
While a specific opening date has yet to be confirmed, the marketplace has indicated hopes for La Perla to begin serving customers by the end of the year.
In a recent update, the restaurant shared progress videos of its new location on social media, generating excitement among fans eager for its return.
When La Perla opened its brick-and-mortar location in 2021, it made history as the first and only fully-fledged Puerto Rican restaurant in the East Bay, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Before establishing itself as a standalone venue, La Perla began its journey in 2017 by serving Puerto Rican cuisine out of a convenience store in the same neighborhood.
This unique transition from a small operation to a dedicated restaurant allowed La Perla to introduce a wider audience to the rich flavors and culinary traditions of Puerto Rico.
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The closure of La Perla’s Oakland location is a significant loss for the local dining scene, which has come to appreciate the restaurant’s authentic dishes and warm atmosphere.
Many community members have voiced their support and shared fond memories of their experiences at the restaurant, emphasizing its role as a cultural hub for Puerto Rican cuisine in the area.
As La Perla prepares for this transition, the restaurant’s management and staff are focused on ensuring a smooth move to Castro Valley, where they hope to continue delighting customers with their popular menu items.
The community eagerly anticipates the reopening and looks forward to enjoying the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rican cuisine in a new setting.
Juniper Calloway is a dedicated journalist with 3 years of experience in covering hard-hitting stories. Known for her commitment to delivering timely and accurate updates, she currently works with MikeandJon Podcast, where she focuses on reporting critical topics such as crime, local news, and national developments across the United States. Her ability to break down complex issues and keep audiences informed has established her as a trusted voice in journalism.
