Marshawn Lynch to acquire Emeryville Soul Food institution ‘Scend’s’

Recently signed Oakland Raider running back Marshawn Lynch will reportedly be taking over Scend’s Restaurant on San Pablo. The North Oakland native’s plans for the space have not been detailed but reports are that he’ll continue offering their menu of soul food favorites with some updates.

Located at 3627 San Pablo Ave on the Emeryville/Oakland border, Scend’s Bar & Grill is a Family-run Southern Soul Food restaurant that features a full bar and has been a hangout for locals for decades. Scend’s soul food classics include Chicken Wings, Fish Filet, Oxtails, Red Beans & Rice and Cornbread.

Cassie Nickelson, owner of Scends in Emeryville, is retiring after she turns 80 next week. @MoneyLynch #BEASTMODE taking over. 545p @KTVU pic.twitter.com/m5BFwSb9dX

— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) July 19, 2017

Current owner Cassie Nickelson will be turning 80 next week and has opted to finally retire. This East Bay Times piece notes Nickelson as “the hardest-working woman in Emeryville”.

The name ‘scend’ is an acronym composed of the initials of Nickelson’s children and grandchildren.

The below video interview with Nickelson refers to Scend’s as “The Black Cheers.”

Nickelson inherited the establishment from her sister Eleanor Richards after she died in 1983. Richards operated the establishment as ‘The Do Drop Inn’ from 1967 until her passing.

Nickelson sold the restaurant in 1986 and then reacquired it in 1996. The article notes that she’s been trying to sell the place since the article was published in 2008. The building had been listed on the real estate market for $1.4 million since 2015. The property includes an upstairs two bedroom housing unit.

Scend’s briefly looked to expand their operation by opening ‘Scends Deux’ in Antioch in 2014. It shuttered about a year later.

The deal is the latest for the aging football star Lynch who has been fortifying his presence in the East Bay including a ‘Beast Mode’ apparel shop on Broadway in Downtown Oakland.

Lynch was lured out of retirement by the Raiders to finish off his career in his hometown. The Raiders are anticipated to play in Las Vegas in 2020 after a stadium deal in Oakland never materialized.

According to posts, Scend’s will have a final farewell this Saturday at 7 p.m. before transitioning ownership to Lynch.

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