Featuring Keynote Speaker Mayor Ron Bernal

By Antioch Chamber of Commerce

Join the Antioch Chamber of Commerce for our 2026 State of Business Luncheon featuring keynote speaker Mayor Ron Bernal!

Thursday, October 8, 2026

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Lone Tree Golf Course & Event Center

4800 Golf Course Road, Antioch

Chamber Members: $50 | Non-Chamber Members: $60

Register today at AntiochChamber.com. 

For Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, etc.

By Antioch Police Department

You agreed on the price. Have you agreed on the meetup?

Buying or selling on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or another online platform? Plan the exchange before you leave home.

Antioch Police Department has a designated Exchange Zone in our main parking lot at 300 L Street. Look for the posted sign.

A few practical tips for BOTH buyers and sellers:

Don’t follow a last-minute location change. “Come around the corner” or “meet my friend somewhere else” changes the arrangement. You can cancel or reschedule—even if you’ve already driven there.

Buyers: Check the item, not just the box. Open the packaging, compare the model and accessories with the listing, and test it before paying. For electronics, agree on how you’ll test them before meeting.

Sellers: A payment screenshot isn’t proof. If accepting an electronic payment, open your own app to check it. Don’t rely on their screen, an email, or a link they send. Never share a verification code.

Set the terms before the trip. Agree on the price, payment method, who’s meeting, and what’s included. Meet during daylight and bring another adult when possible.

Keep a record. Save the listing, seller or buyer profile, and messages before the meetup. Keep communication in the platform.

You don’t owe anyone a completed sale. Pressure to rush, skip inspection, or change the plan is a reason to pause.

The Exchange Zone does not guarantee safety. City employees cannot serve as official witnesses, authenticate items, or settle civil disputes.

Save this for your next meetup—or send it to someone who buys and sells online.

Emergency: 911

Non-emergency: (925) 778-2441

“The best cookies in the Bay” to be offered at only 2nd franchise out of 7 locations so far

“They’re Southern desserts turned into cookies,” co-owner Dale Ingram

“It was nothing short of a leap of faith.” – co-owner Desiree Ingram

By Allen D. Payton

After months of preparation and much anticipation, entrepreneurs Dale and Desiree Ingram are excited to announce the Grand Opening of the new Butter Pecan Bakeshop Antioch on Friday, October 2nd. They will regularly offer a menu of the company’s line of 10 cookies including dark chocolate sea salt, cookies & cream, banana pudding, birthday cake, the staple cookie – brown butter pecan, and many more and will feature two special cookies each month. Since people enjoy milk and cookies, the menu will also include milk, plus, water for their guests. The Antioch location is just the second franchise for the five-year-old Vallejo-based company, out of seven locations, total.

With early career experience in the restaurant industry and backgrounds spanning customer service, investing, and business operations, the Ingrams shared their journey to entrepreneurship and how their collective experience is helping them prepare to open Butter Pecan Bakeshop Antioch.

“We’ve been getting trained. We’re holding interviews this week then we’ll train our staff,” Dale said.

Asked why they decided on this business opportunity, he said, “I was a customer at the Pinole store, and I was part of the newsletter, and it said they’re in the process of becoming a franchise. Another project we worked on for a year came to a halt, so, we thought, ‘let’s see what this Butter Pecan franchise is about’.”

“We had an introductory call on a Tuesday and that night we met in person,” Dale stated. “We just hit it off. Like-minded individuals. Entrepreneurs. We shared our inspirations and interests. Both driven individuals.”

“He sent over the paperwork, and I shared it with my wife,” he added.

“There were several incidences that were God-ordained,” Dale shared. “There are no coincidences. That’s why I think the other project we had been working on ended after a year of work. I prayed and asked God, ‘if not that what is it?’”

Desiree then said, “There was a bit of uncertainty hanging in the balance. Before the bakeshop opportunity came into play, I was wanting to transfer out of my job; I was very unfulfilled. I had a good run. They were great to me. It was a great experience. But it just wasn’t serving me anymore. I was praying and crying and went to my husband and said, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’”

“But we didn’t know what was going to come of it,” she continued.

“It was nothing short of a leap of faith,” Desiree shared. “The other business venture started to slow down. I was transitioning out of my corporate role. But we were desiring for something more that will be fulfilling for us both and leave a legacy for our kids. The desire was there. We just didn’t know how it was going to unfold.”

“The reason the timeline is so important and sticks out for me, on the 2nd of January, which was my last day at my job, that day I was filling out the paperwork for the franchise,” Desiree stated. “Then Dale had his introductory call with the founder, Wendell Hunter.”

“It was literally one door closes and another one opens,” Desiree continued sharing about their path to the cookie business. “Before I made my decision to leave my corporate job, I was driving home and just praying and having my moment of seeking clarity from God. He simply said, ‘Do you trust me?’ Then I was filling out the paperwork and felt like this was our way of saying, ‘yes’.”

“I get chills thinking about it because it was all mind blowing,” Dale shared. “After working the entire last year on a project that was not aligned with His will. When we finally took a break and opened our minds and laid that down, and this is became the one that finally worked.”

A Family Business

It’s a family business. They have a five-year old son and a four-year-old daughter.

“Our son has already made a business decision on our behalf,” Dale stated. “I asked how much we should sell the cookies for and he said, ‘$10,000.’

The legacy they’re working to leave for their children is why their corporate name is Ingram Legacy Group, LLC, which was started for this venture and to include all of their future ventures, he shared.

The Company’s & Cookies’ Origins and a Few of the Flavors

The description of the cookies on the website reads, “Southern-inspired homestyle cookies, baked fresh for every occasion. Cookies your way….”

“The owner’s family used to make Southern desserts, everyone contributes,” Dale explained. “He moved away and missed his grandmother’s nutcake made with pecans. So, he thought, ‘how can we bring the family together’ and he took his grandmother’s recipe, baked the brown butter pecan cookie and sent it out to his family. They said, ‘this is amazing’ and that’s what started things.”

“They’re Southern desserts turned into cookies,” Dale continued, giving examples of their flavors including, “Banana pudding, peach cobbler, German chocolate, and of course, pecan pie.”

Desiree said, “There are 10 that are offered year-round then two specialty cookies each month. Probably the peach cobbler in the fall aligned with the holidays.”

There will be the “Childhood Favorites” of peanut butter and jelly, birthday cake, cookies and cream, and strawberries and cream. Then varying levels of sweetness. Some people don’t want it too sweet. Others say, ‘give me all the sugar!’”

Asked if there will be a salted caramel cookie (this reporter’s favorite) she said that it would be seasonal.

“But the company responds to requests on social media,” Desiree added.

“Which is why they brought back strawberries and cream on the regular menu,” Dale stated. “I love that one. There’s nowhere else you can get that. The tart strawberries and white chocolate.”

Restaurant, Corporate Experience

“I loved all my restaurant jobs,” said Dale. “I think that’s what intrigued me about this business, the customer service. We know you’re going to be satisfied when you leave here. All these things intrigued me about this opportunity.”

“We’re able to bridge our two worlds, customer service, and my background in operations,” Desiree said.

Corporate Growth

The first store opened in 2021 in Pinole.

 “Currently they have five corporate stores and their first franchise opened in February in Hayward. We will be the second.”

The corporate locations are in “Pinole, Emeryville, Pleasant Hill, Fairfield and Vallejo, where they have the storefront with the production facility in the back,” he shared.

Ordering Options

Asked if there will be packages, Dale said, “Customers can buy them single, a half dozen or a dozen, which is the better deal, because you’re buying 10 and getting two free and can get one of each.”

“We do have the pre-made boxes such as: best sellers, nut lovers, chocolate lovers and Southern classics,” Desiree shared.

Asked if there’s an app or if people can call in an order ahead of time Dale said, “You can pre-order online through the corporate website, butterpecanbakeshop.com. We also have one corporate social media account.”

“We believe we’re on the right path and we know because we’ve seen Him through the process. It’s been very smooth,” she shared. “But there’s been sometimes that God makes sure, ‘do you still trust Me? If you trusted Me then, you can trust Me now. If I carried you then why would I stop now?’”

“If He did it before, He can do it again,” Dale added.

Corporate Owner Announces Antioch Location in April

In a post on the company’s Facebook page on April 20, 2026, corporate founder Wendell Hunter shared a video announcing the new location and wrote, “Antioch, California, are you ready for your very own BUTTER PECAN BAKESHOP?!?! “We’re coming loud and proud with The BEST Cookies in The Bay this Fall!

“We’re beyond excited to be opening our second franchise location in your city! Tag someone who lives in Antioch in the comments & stay tuned for more details coming soon!”

Antioch Chamber Announces with Video in September

Then on Sept. 9, the Antioch Chamber of Commerce posted a video on their Facebook page of Dale offering a tour of the bakeshop saying, “Butter Pecan Bakeshop Antioch! We’re so excited to be here. Happy to show you the space. I know everybody’s been excited.”

“If you haven’t done so, already, make sure you visit Butter Pecan Bakeshop on Instagram, click the link in the bio and join the VIP list. That is where you’ll get all the information for our upcoming Grand Opening that is coming real, real soon. Alright. Hope to see you there. And don’t forget we’re right here in The Crossings Hillcrest shopping center right next to Safeway and Ross.”

Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Details

The Ingrams will hold the Grand Opening of their Butter Pecan Bakeshop Antioch location on Friday, October 2nd from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., following the Ribbon Cutting with the Antioch Chamber of Commerce at noon on Friday with RC at beginning. Butter Pecan Bakeshop founder Wendell Hunter will be there and speak, the Ingrams will speak, as will District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson and Mayor Pro Tem Don Freitas in whose District 3 the bakeshop is located at 3345 Deer Valley Road.

According to the Grand Opening announcement on the company’s Instagram account, “The first 100 customers get a FREE Cookie! We’ll also be selecting a few local businesses to receive a fresh box of cookies! Nominate your favorite Antioch business as a cookie drop stop by tagging them in the comments!”

Leaves City with no continuity plan for top leadership, only an Acting City Manager until June 30, 2027, and no Assistant City Manager

By Allen D. Payton

The City of Antioch will once again have a separate Economic Development Department. During their meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the Antioch City Council agreed to re-establish the department and remove it from the current combined Community Development and Economic Development Department. Plus, the council agreed to have a stand-alone director without a dual role as assistant city manager, after the position remained vacant for a year then only an acting director for the combined department for half of the past year.

Public Comments

Resident and council candidate Andrew Becker spoke during public comments saying, “The easiest way to answer the question is…we go online and see what’s up for sale in the city of Antioch. Every business, every commercial property is up for sale in the city of Antioch, every single one.”

“The newest thing to go up for sale in the city…is the FoodMaxx on Lone Tree. They pay a million dollars a year,” he said. “Who would be part of that process? The economic development director.  And get rid of the Mallet & Sons Jewelers sign next to the FoodMaxx that’s been hanging there for the past 15 years after they left.”

“How can we take 20 percent of their time away for other things. Is that responsible?” he asked. “We need something clear and concise, that’s an economic development department.”

Resident and local Realtor Melissa Case also argued for a separate position and to not combine it with the assistant city manager position.

However, this reporter also spoke and again suggested a combined position as the City had in the late 1990’s, but only temporarily, until the position of assistant city manager can be filled in order to have a continuity plan, as the City currently only has an acting city manager and no assistant city manager.

Council Comments & Direction to Staff

“When was the last time did we have an assistant city manager that also served as economic development director?” Torres-Walker then asked.

“The late 1990’s,” Freitas responded, to which both Torres-Walker and Wilson laughed.

Yet, more recently, from June 2023 until October 2024, the City had an employee in the dual role of Economic Development Director and City management, specifically, Kwame Reed. District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson was one of three council members who voted to appoint him as Acting City Manager during a meeting when Torres-Walker was absent, and he served in the position for a year and five months. He was then promoted to Assistant City Manager by the new city manager until he left earlier this year for a position with the County.

“I am definitely in the stand-alone camp. I am not for a split,” Wilson stated.

“Clearly, I am one of those who advocated for a split decision,” Freitas said. “Number one, structurally, we need an assistant city manager. One of the problems is authority. We need very quick actions. That individual…would have the authority to have things move quickly and not get mired in bureaucracy. Chances are things will move quicker.”

We’ve already gone out twice with the salaries we have, twice…it’s the lowest paid,” Freitas said. “It’s not going to happen at this salary. It also has internal impacts for all the department heads. We need to address the salary.”

“You really are creating a brand-new department. We need a very experienced individual,” he continued. “There cannot be on-the-job training.”

“There’s no sense in fighting. I will support a stand-by itself economic development department,” Freitas added.

“One of the reasons it did fail was because the positions were combined…it was difficult to find someone with experience in both city management and economic development,” Acting City Manager Ana Cortez stated.

“The public deserves to have high expectations. You pay for what you get,” Torres-Walker stated. “We need opportunity here for someone who’s going to come in and propel Antioch forward.”

Based on the consensus of the four council members present, as District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha was absent while attending the California League of Cities conference, current Acting City Manager Ana Cortez said she will bring back to the Council at their meeting on Oct. 13th, an entire package to move forward with forming the department, again and the recruitment process for the director position.

The decision by the council leaves the City with no continuity plan for leadership, only an acting city manager through June 30, 2027, and currently no assistant city manager.

Free to attend

By Antioch Chamber of Commerce

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce and City of Antioch will hold the annual Antioch Business Expo on Thursday, September 24, 2026 from 5pm – 7pm at the Antioch Community Center in Prewett Community Park located 4703 Lone Tree Way. The Business Expo will allow local businesses and organizations to introduce their products or services to the local community.

It also offers businesses to market and create a business-to-business network that is often overlooked in distinct network venues. The Antioch Business Expo will showcase over 50 local businesses, organizations, non-profits, government entities and community business resources. The Business Expo is designed to create an environment for East County businesses to grow, prosper, and learn how to build meaningful relationships with the community and other businesses and organizations.

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Antioch demonstrates both the City and Chamber’s intention of supporting local businesses and the continued planned economic growth of Antioch and the surrounding area. Securing a booth at this event is a great opportunity to connect your business or services with the community. Proceeds from the Antioch Business Expo will help support the Antioch Chamber member initiatives and other Chamber events.

For more information about or to join the Antioch Chamber of Commerce visit Antioch Chamber of Commerce.

This month, the Downtown Antioch Association meets somewhere special — the old lumber yard building on W. 2nd Street, now home to Prime Vintage Realty. A piece of Antioch history, still standing strong and serving our community today.

Home-based businesses, storefronts, big or small — if you’re a local business owner in Antioch, we want you at the table. Join us for our monthly DAA meeting: mixer at 5:30 PM, meeting 6:00–7:30 PM.

Tuesday, September 29 — Prime Vintage Realty, 340 W. 2nd Street, Rivertown, Antioch

Not a member or sponsor yet? Join the Downtown Antioch Association family at antiochdaa.com.

Wants it to include broader option of other parts of city

By Allen D. Payton

Following meetings held with downtown business owners and community members regarding hours of operation, patrol locations, scope of services and other identified needs and issues, during their meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the Antioch City Council discussed restoring private security services to the City-owned parking lots in downtown Rivertown. But the discussion expanded to other issues and possible broader private security services throughout the city.

First approved by the Council in 2023, according to the city staff report, the contract with Brentwood-based Shield Protection & Public Safety, Inc., DBA Spearhead Protection, for private security services of City-owned assets and parking lots in the Rivertown area was for an amount not to exceed $50,000 in fiscal year 2023-24 (ending June 30th) and $100,000 in fiscal year 2024-25. It was renewed for the 2025-26 fiscal year and the private security contract ended on June 30th.

Under Item 6, on the agenda, the Council was asked to discuss downtown security services for City owned parking lots, property and public areas, and provide direction to staff on whether to initiate a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process for private security services in the Rivertown/Downtown area.

Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas was the first council member to speak saying, “Frankly, this issue came to us from the Downtown Antioch Association. Because…there have been more and more reports since the security has stopped. We began asking a lot of questions…and all of us received input from the DAA and Chamber of Commerce.”

“They complimented the police department and some of the crime prevention efforts,” he continued. “But crime has risen since the services have stopped.”

“Clearly the hours from their perspective, about 30 people were in attendance and 60% said they wanted different hours,” Freitas said. “There are a lot of issues that came out of this. Conceptually, yes, I believe services should be provided. But I don’t know what should be provided. There are a lot of options: Hours of operation. There are businesses that were under contract but did not perform.”

Acting City Manager Ana Cortez responded saying, “What I’m seeking tonight is direction. Does Council want to continue with private security services? If yes, we’d have to proceed with a request for proposal process, since the previous contract ended. We would put all the input into a scope of services.”

“Private security services represent one aspect,” Freitas continued. “The lighting in the downtown, the homelessness issue, the cleanliness. All of that was discussed extensively by the business owners and private residents. This should be comprehensive and not just in the downtown.”

“But, we said, there needs to be a public-private partnership,” he stated. “This cannot be just the City of Antioch. This cannot be just the General Fund. This needs to be a collaborative effort.”

“What’s really confusing about the process is that…it explicitly says security services will be used for City-owned properties and parking lots…it will not be to patrol privately-owned property,” District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker stated, asking “Is their focus, City-owned property downtown? If I see somebody breaking into a business, do I ignore it?”

“I think they would report that to the police department,” Cortez responded. “That’s something that would be included in the scope of work.”

“I expected to see a fully drafted Request for Proposal…and that’s not here,” Torres-Walker continued. “In addition to a public-private partnership.”

She then spoke of an overlay district and said, “I know that’s a longer-term strategy.”

“This does involve a bigger discussion,” she continued. “I know the mayor pro tem and I are appointed to the Downtown Standing Committee. What I would request…is that we as a City, we might want to reassess the potential of that standing committee and establish an ad-hoc committee. Is the standing committee still necessary? What would a task force look like? It’s kind of hard to have dialogue and workshop in a standing committee.”

District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson then said, “Although there is a list of what the private security will do…then there’s also the expectations of our businesses which don’t align. A lot of this seems to be more of a police department issue.

“This is about public property, not a private business,” she continued. “How are we going to make this work with the expectations of

“It’s a Code Enforcement issue, it’s a Public Works issue…we got into a parking issue and turns out, some of the worst offenders are the business owners,” Freitas stated. “Frankly, one of the parties is the railroad. That is a big issue in the downtown and we seem to ignore it until we handle it until the next time. I think we need to have a broader discussion.”

“I don’t want to dismiss the issue of needing security in downtown, right now,” Torres-Walker added. “It needs to include a larger community voice.”

“I can come back to the next council meeting with an RFP,” Cortez responded.

“One of the other issues that isn’t addressed, necessarily in the current parking lots, at the water treatment plant, we’ve had calls for service…if there are other areas of the city that are having issues,” Mayor Ron Bernal stated.

“This is about one security guard. Is one enough?” he asked. “Not just in downtown.”

“I think we also need to look at the Downtown Specific Plan…I think that would be important,” Bernal added.

“We do want to include the entire city, not just the downtown,” Cortez stated.

“In talking to the chief, I included other parts of town…it should be expanded,” said Bernal.

“We need to hear from Public Works, Code Enforcement…if the hours are correct. I think the way we had it did not work,” said Freitas.

“Moving those around is the best model,” Bernal interjected.

“I thought it was very good for all council members and staff, the chief to hear these dialogues…having that dialogue was very, very helpful,” Freitas stated. “Some things came up that we never hear. I think an ad hoc is better than a steering (he meant standing) committee which has other rules.”

Torres-Walker then asked what about businesses in other parts of Antioch.

“Are security officers armed, are they not armed, do they have lights on their patrol cars?” Bernal asked.

“And what businesses are already paying for private security?” Torres-Walker asked. “They might be in a commercial lot with other private businesses. She then reiterated her proposal for a public-private partnership.

“It started as a focus on the downtown,” Cortez explained. “It turned out to be a bigger issue.”

Cortez will return with a proposed RFP or RFQ for discussion at the Council meeting on Oct. 13th.

During 7th Annual Big Truck Day!

By Antioch Recreation Department

THE WIENERMOBILE IS COMING TO ANTIOCH!

Catch the iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile at Antioch’s 7th Annual Big Truck Day.

Explore big trucks up close and see the legendary Wienermobile.

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind Big Truck Day!!

• September 17th, 4PM-8PM.
• Antioch Community Center parking lot at Prewett Community Park, 4703 Lone Tree Way.

For more information about Antioch’s 7th Annual Big Truck Day click, here.

Wienermobile Historical Highlights

According to Wienermobile Rolling Through History In 1936 Carl Mayer, nephew of the company’s founder, came up with the idea of a 13- foot metal hot dog on wheels to transport the company spokesperson. General Body Company of Chicago, Illinois, designed the first Wienermobile, which featured open cockpits in the center and rear. It was a common sight on the streets of Chicago as it promoted Oscar Mayer “German-style Wieners.”

In 1952 the Wienermobile made a triumphant return as five new vehicles hit the streets of America. Designed by Gerstenslager of Wooster, Ohio, and built on a Dodge chassis, the 22-foot-long hot dogs were the first to have a sound system and sunroof. A 1952 Wienermobile is currently on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

In 1988, six new 23-foot-long fiberglass hot dogs on wheels, toured the country in style. They featured microwave ovens, refrigerators, cellular phones, and stereo systems that played 21 versions of the Oscar Mayer Wiener Jingle.

Learn more at  www.oscarmayer.com/wienermobile and https://omwienermobile.com.