A noted chef’s brand-new Oakland café and bar abruptly shut down within days of its opening after failing to obtain proper permits, the city said.
Called Upstairs, the business opened March 7 in an apartment space above the popular Snail Bar at 4935 Shattuck Ave., and then closed temporarily a few days later. A March 12 Instagram post said the business was “taking a short pause to give our space a glow-up” and would reopen soon.
The day before, the City of Oakland sent a cease and desist letter to Snail Bar and Upstairs’ landlord, writing that its tenant was violating city codes by hosting “unauthorized events and operating an unlicensed entertainment venue.” The letter, provided to the Chronicle, directed the landlord, Gee Whiz LLC, to end any events until necessary permits were obtained. It noted Upstairs planned to “host a grand opening event for the newly renovated second floor complete with drinks and music” on March 12…