The historic Mutual Creamery Building is located at 425 East 11th Street, Oakland, California was designed by architect Alfred William Smith in 1923. Between 2004 and 2006, two of the buildings were acquired and redeveloped by a partnership between Berkeley, California based SB Properties Group and Portland, Oregon based Urban Development Partners, yielding 26 live/work lofts with modern interiors while preserving the Point Richmond red clay exterior, and reusing the wood and concrete waste from the renovation.
Mutual Creamery Co. was a dairy (and later grocery) at 3979 Piedmont Avenue, first opened to sell milk, cream and other dairy foods at cash and carry prices. It was started by Emil A. Hagstrom, who came to Oakland in the spring 1917. He started with only $75 capital, part of which was acquired by pawning his watch. Mrs. Hagstrom, his wife, was the first clerk and opening day receipts were $15.28.
After a year a second store was opened and then a third. A limited stock of groceries was added to the first stores, as convenience to the customers. Later bakery goods were stocked. Eventually the stores were made into small markets with the addition of fruits, vegetables and meat counters.
A few years later Hagstrom bought a small creamery. In 1923 a new facility was built to to act as a creamery, bakery and distribution center for all his stores. The was located at 425 East 11th Street, Oakland.
