In-N-Out Burger is set to close its first location ever — in Oakland, California. This marks a significant moment for a city that, 75 years ago, symbolized hope and opportunity for many families seeking a better future. The closure isn’t just about a fast food chain leaving town; it’s part of a much larger story about Oakland’s rise, fall, and current crisis.

The Roots of Migration and Opportunity

Back in 1958, during the post-war boom, many African American families moved out of the South looking for opportunity. Cities like Oakland became a beacon of hope, much like Detroit, Chicago, or Gary, Indiana. Manufacturing jobs, shipyards, and union-backed labor offered the working class — especially Black families — a chance at stability and prosperity.

One such story is of a woman from Bastrop, Louisiana, who chose to leave the South in search of more promising horizons. She could’ve gone to Houston, Texas, but she chose Oakland. And she wasn’t alone. Thousands of Black families moved west, helping shape Oakland into a strong, tight-knit, and aspirational community. The Black church remained a pillar, and the city developed a unique identity that would later give birth to social movements like the Black Panthers.

From Hope to Hardship

By the 1980s, however, things began to change. Oakland, like many American cities, was devastated by the crack epidemic, job losses from deindustrialization, and rising crime. Yet Oakland still had life — it had its sports teams: the Golden State Warriors, the Oakland A’s, and the Raiders. These teams gave the city pride and identity.

But fast forward to 2025, and Oakland has lost all three of its major league teams. The Warriors are now in San Francisco. The A’s are on their way to Las Vegas. The Raiders already left. The city has also been ranked the second most dangerous city in the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report, just behind Memphis.

A Crisis of Crime and Governance

Crime is rampant, and many businesses can’t survive. Starbucks, Chipotle, Dunkin’ Donuts, even Walmart — all have closed locations in Oakland. The newly opened Raising Cane’s had to shut down indoor dining. The In-N-Out closure, the first in the company’s history, reflects this downward spiral. Residents say the issue isn’t just crime; it’s also the lack of jobs, lack of investment, and political instability.

The city currently has about 500 police officers, far below the recommended 800. Police Chief Floyd Mitchell recently resigned, becoming the 11th police chief in 15 years. Recruitment and retention of officers is at a crisis point, with more leaving than joining. Without adequate policing, crime continues to rise, which in turn drives away business and investment.

A City in Decline

The economic base of Oakland has eroded. The city once thrived on shipbuilding and manufacturing, but those industries are long gone. Unlike neighboring Silicon Valley, Oakland hasn’t benefited from the tech boom. The result? An underfunded city infrastructure, increasing homelessness, declining property values, and a loss of middle-class residents and tax revenue.

One woman who grew up in Oakland shared her disappointment. As a child, she saw Black professionals all around her — doctors, teachers, principals. Her schools were run and staffed by people who looked like her. Now, when she returns home, the roads are falling apart, crime is rampant, and there’s a feeling that no one — neither residents nor politicians — is truly taking care of the city.

Many Oakland natives have left. They’ve moved to places like Sacramento, Fresno, Antioch, and elsewhere — often bringing their culture and history with them, but also, in some cases, the challenges that stem from systemic neglect and disinvestment.

Systemic Issues and Political Failures

The deeper issue lies in Oakland’s structure and policies. High taxes, lack of economic opportunity, and a de-prioritization of public safety have all contributed to the city’s decline. Many point to progressive, left-leaning city policies that, while well-intentioned, fail to address job creation, small business development, or economic empowerment in communities of color — particularly Black communities.

Without investment in public safety, economic opportunity, or infrastructure, cities like Oakland are left to wither. Businesses leave. Residents leave. Teams leave. And what’s left is a hollowed-out shell of a once-vibrant city.