Building Better Retail Together: Reflections From the Uprisers Family Reunion

Last week, we had one of those nights where we got to step outside of our work screens and actually interact with real people. We got to experience community, but not like that corporate “we are family” toxic-positivity BS, like actual, REAL community– and impact!

Uprisers, a brand we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE for their unapologetic community-first approach, invited LiquiDonate to their Family Reunion dinner, which is a beautiful gathering that happens right before their annual Family Drive event (which is free and open to the public in LA!). 

Walking into that dinner was heartwarming. The team, the nonprofit partners, the local brands. Everything felt incredibly intentional, incredibly woven. And everyone had such a sweet, open energy. Even though we all did important work, it wasn’t a stuffy industry dinner. 

Throughout the dinner, Uprisers introduced all of the non-profits they’ve supported over the years, and even presented a couple of them with checks. They even introduced the chefs of the Filipino restaurant, Sampa, and talked about their recent community-centered collab. It was truly so inspiring. 

So PACSUN brought Uprisers and a handful of other local, purpose-led brands together for a collaboration that’s now on shelves. A legacy retailer recognizing community-rooted creators– not just to “support small businesses,” but to center them. To give them space. To invest in their impact.

This was a much needed step back and reminder why all of this work matters (did I really forget that this was the whole point?). This dinner was incredibly grounding. A gentle retail can do good, and this is what it looks like when it’s led by folks who actually give an eff.

I drove home feeling grateful, inspired, and a little overwhelmed in the best way. It’s not every day you get to witness the future you believe in sitting around one long table, laughing, sharing stories, and proving there’s a better way to do retail.