OAKLAND – Finally some good news for the troubled Hegenberger business corridor near the Oakland airport. A Round Table Pizza restaurant recently opened in the Hegenberger Plaza. It is believed to be the first restaurant or retail business to open along the corridor since 2023.
Many companies there have that closed in the last 18 monthsciting rampant crime. They include In-N-Out, Denny’s, Black Bear Diner, Starbucks, Subway and a large Hilton hotel.
The popular Raising Cane’s and a nearby Taco Bell closed their dining rooms to prevent car break-ins and robberies. They only offer drive-thru service.
The Round Table Pizza restaurant was opened about a month ago by franchisee Anjam Singh in the space previously occupied by the Raider Image. The Raider Image closed in 2019, just before the Raiders moved to Las Vegas in 2020.
Singh said it wasn’t an easy decision to open in the Hegenberger Plaza and many people questioned him.
‘Family, friends, yes, [they asked,] “Why would you want to do it?” But every business you open comes with a risk, and the higher the risk, the higher the reward,” said Singh.
Singh said he saw an opportunity and a need for the area, given the lack of food options there.
“This is the right place where we can serve almost half of Oakland from this location, as well as serve the airport, the hotels and their customers,” Singh said.
Unlike the big companies, Singh says as a franchisee, he is small, agile and can make changes quickly.
He believes his business model will help him thrive in the region.
“Right now we are not doing dine-in, but it is ready. If we want to start, we can do that,” Singh said.
It is delivery and pick-up only. They also don’t accept cash.
“No cash is accepted so we only accept card payments. We don’t have cash drawers,” Singh said.
He said the soft opening was better than expected and there were many satisfied customers in the first month. He said within the first few weeks someone cut a hole in the roof and broke in. But nothing was taken because they had no cash.
“I think it’s a good thing that they’re investing in Oakland. They will do that too [need] Adequate security,” said customer Katrina Banks.
Many customers and neighbors support the restaurant and appreciate a new dining option.
“Everyone loves pizza, so Round Table is a good option for me,” Banks said.
“We welcome any establishment that is willing to come here with open arms. I didn’t expect it,” said customer Mel Luckett, an East Oakland resident.
Mayor Sheng Thao said Oakland police have increased patrols in the Hegenberger area and crime has decreased.
“Once we get that corridor back where it needs to be, we’ll see a very different space there, with more businesses, more hotels and more people,” Mayor Thao said.
Singh admitted the area was still a work in progress, but believed his restaurant could represent a new beginning for the area.
“We really hope that people, like other business people, can use us as an example: ‘Hey, they did it, why can’t the other people do it?’ Singh said.
Singh will hold a grand opening celebration at the store on Thursday around 4 p.m. He said all pizzas will be 50% off this very grand opening week. Singh said people ordering online can use the discount code “OAKGRAND50.”
Da Lin
