Welcome to KUBO LB!
KUBO LB is a collaborative community enterprise established to provide the opportunity for local Filipinx, LGTBQ POC-led small businesses to plant community roots, grow a sustainable business, and create an inclusive space to gather community, serve the community, and unleash the power of community synergy. KUBO LB is home to many small businesses!
KUBO was an idea dreamed of by small business owners and friends Romeo Garcia & Jenn Estacio in 2019. The forced displacement of the community experienced in 2020 lit a fire in the duo that spurred not just the desire but the need to make KUBO a reality. In February 2022, KUBO found its first home in Bixby Knolls Long Beach. Working with the Bixby Knolls Business Development Association, KUBO was invited to take up temporary residence in Bixby Knolls Centre for Innovation and Arts in partnership with a local real estate developer. 8+ community businesses, organizations, and creatives have made KUBO LB their home base for nearly a year. We've worked together to host and produce more than 25+ inclusive public and private events for the Long Beach community and beyond while working together to sustain our individual businesses' through continued economic uncertainty.
While's KUBO LB partnership with the Bixby Knolls Business Development Association has been a massive milestone in manifesting the dream and a great testament to the mutual benefits of KUBO's mission, it's also set to end in February 2023 at its current location.
This campaign was birthed to support the Kubo Collective in its next phase of a mission-driven reality. In 2023, KUBO LB is excited to be moving to a new permanent space to continue its journey to becoming a sustainable community entity known for being the hub for community innovation and synergy of small businesses, creatives, and organizations with inclusive ideas that want a space to be heard, supported, and invested in.
KUBO 2.0 will still include the many offerings KUBO 1.0 offers but at a more sustainable model. Creative, co-working, retail, and space rental opportunities will be provided! In the heart of North Long Beach's dynamic Bixby Knolls business district, KUBO LB is positioned to continue its mission as a destination spot along Atlantic Ave. This affords KUBO LB the opportunity for more impactful community contributions through the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, greater visibility for community events, and small business sustainability.
KUBO VALUES:
KAPWA: Kapwa in the Filipino culture translates to “kindred,” “neighbor,” and “fellow humans.” To live in the spirit of Kapwa means to embrace our shared identity and to care for our fellow beings. KUBO is a social enterprise business that fosters community, and KUBO provides the space to encourage the community to use the space for their programming and business.
SOLIDARITY: Open to any community creatives, regardless of gender, identification, age, or ethnicity. We embrace creating space for BIPOC, LGBTQ, and other marginalized communities.
GIVE BACK: We are developing a model to give back to selected causes within the community at large.
TEACH & SHARE: Our creative workspace is designed to maximize our shared talents. We are supporting small businesses to help them grow and providing space for the community to come together in Long Beach. KUBO is a home for us to gather safely. Some examples include business education, wellness offerings, and mental health workshops.
WHAT WE NEED & WHAT YOU GET
KUBO LB has been self-funded by Jenn and Romeo and built from scratch. Lots of LITERAL blood, sweat, and tears have gone into this vision, with endless support from family and friends who volunteered their time and services.
KUBO LB has shown how much this kind of space is needed for the community. Now they are asking the community to continue the KUBO spirit for the community. Opening a new location can be very costly. Any means of contribution will go towards building KUBO 2.0, such as licensing and permitting fees and a future food & beverage counter. What is needed immediately is equipment like a sound system, lighting, furniture, and help with the build-out, including private offices and a co-working area.
Since KUBO is a place to gather, many of the perks offered are experiences that you, as the donor, will get to see firsthand and experience what KUBO has to offer, such as an invitation to the soft opening, private multi-course chef dinners, tickets to upcoming KUBO events and the list goes on!
THE IMPACT
KUBO LB is intended to be a space for everyone, from young children to the older generation come together. KUBO is a place to bring awareness to the rich spirit of Filipino culture, especially in the Long Beach area. As we tested different models in the temporary space, we have significantly impacted the groups, families, and organizations we've serviced and partnered with since we've been open. We've received nothing but positive feedback, and saying there is a space hosted to share the Filipino culture in Long Beach, is already a significant impact in itself!
RISKS & CHALLENGES
Since KUBO LB is currently only a temporary space, they did not want to spend thousands of dollars on a space that was not permanent. Now that they have found a space, they are ready for the challenge of creating a creative community space. Running a small business in Long Beach can be pretty expensive (the cost of licenses and permits, taxes, insurance, etc.). And they both have already learned so much at the current location that they will be taking into KUBO 2.0.
With this next step, we are up for more challenges as we aim to have more presence in the community. As we transition to the new space in Bixby Knolls in 2023, we can support more small businesses and have an enormous impact!
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP
If, for some reason, you cannot contribute financially, we gratefully understand. However, you can still support us by spreading the word about our vision and its campaign. There will also be volunteer opportunities, and community resource referrals are always welcomed. Or if you are interested in becoming a KUBO tenant, that would also be a great opportunity!
We will always be grateful for any support or contribution to this community-inspired vision.
Maraming Salamat, Thank you so much for all your support!