Retail Star Competition Jumpstarts TeachBar

By Whitney Livingston, Regional Director of Marketing

Bayfair Center in San Leandro recently announced Ben Wanzo and his TeachBar retail concept as the winner of its “Retail Star” competition. TeachBar will be a dynamic meeting place where people receive education and training while indulging in great tea products. Combining the community aspects of Starbucks with the seminar space of the Apple Store, it will become a destination within the center.

As the winner of Retail Star, Wanzo received $25,000 in start-up capital, free retail space for a year and up to $200,000 for build-out. TeachBar is scheduled to open in November and Wanzo already has a slate of classes ready to go for area high school students.

The competition attracted dozens of entrants and several of the finalists are being approached about traditional leasing opportunities at the center.

Here is a video that chronicles the competition: