VALLEJO SHOPPING CENTER SOLD

NAPA, California—December 29, 2011—A commercial strip center was sold on 1833-1841 Springs Road in Vallejo. The ±5,600 SF center is fully leased. It consists of Dominos Pizza and a number of local tenants.

The property was a probate sale.

Gary Van Dam and Jim Henry of Strong & Hayden Commercial Real Estate represented the seller in the sale transaction. Tipp Realty represented the buyer in the transaction.

For more information about retail opportunities in Solano County, please contact Strong & Hayden Commercial Real Estate at 707-226-2661 or visit www.stronghayden.com.

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1700 Second Street, Napa

Professional office space for lease in Downtown Napa. Tenant Improvement Allowance Available. Zoned Downtown Commercial (CD). Abundant Reserved Parking.

• Suite 231: ± 4,790 SF Second Floor Space

• Suite 266: ± 1,370 SF Second Floor Space

• Suite 288: ± 293 SF Second Floor Single office

• Suite 314: ± 452 SF Single office with reception area. Great view.

• Suite 327: ± 1,298 SF Third floor space. Former Dental Office

Offered at $2.00/SF/Month Full Service. Call 707-226-2661 for more information about the spaces available.

View Marketing Flyer

Melissa Teaff Catering now offers kitchen rentals at the state of the art commercial kitchen at 101 S Coombs Street in Napa. Rates are below:

• $25.00/hr or $200/day (up to 8 hours)
• $100/month for 1 rack cold storage
• $100/month for 2 racks dry storage
• $500/month for 250 sq ft storage room

*Hours of use will need to be approved by Melissa Teaff Catering and written into a binding contract. Other terms and conditions apply.

For more information, please contact Melissa Teaff Catering at 707-254-8160, www.MTCatering.com or email info@MTCatering.com

For decades, campers and boaters have passed the small commercial strip on their way to and from Lake Berryessa. Many visitors know of the intersection of Highways 121 and 128 as Moskowite Corners, or simply “The Corners.”

Over the years, the parcel, which is home to a market, restaurant and bar, has passed from owner to owner. Now it’s for sale again. The property was recently listed for sale for $1.29 million by owner Jim Keller.

Keller bought the property, which had been in bankruptcy, for $1.1 million in 2008. At the time, he intended to fix it up. “The idea was to rename and rebrand it,” he said.

Over the past several years, Keller spent more than $400,000 on improvements, including a bar addition, new deck, equipment, electrical and plumbing work.

“When I bought it I spent $25,000 to $40,000 just in cleanup,” he said. “It was quite an undertaking up there.”

He renamed the junction “The Crossroads at Berryessa” and found a new tenant for the property. In August 2010, Jim Winchell and his family took over the market, restaurant and bar.

Keller, who lives in Napa, said he originally had a five-year plan for the property, but another opportunity has come up and he’d like to sell.

From talking to his tenant, business at the corner is good, Keller said. “Since I’ve owned it, business has substantially increased,” he said.

Pensus Group, the new manager of concessions at Lake Berryessa, “is committed to putting (money) into the lake. Once construction starts, I think things will be even better,” he said.

Pensus first stepped onto the scene at Lake Berryessa following a 2006 decision by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to return privately operated lakeside resorts to a more natural state.

The reboot caused scores of private trailers posted along the lake’s shore to be uprooted and saw five resorts rebranded by the Arizona-based company. Pensus opened many of the new resorts with limited services during the 2011 summer season and expects full services to become operational in subsequent years.

An investor with a five- to 10-year game plan would make a good buyer for the property, Keller said. “Someone who wants to hold a landmark piece and let it ride,” he said.

“I have mixed emotions about it being listed in this climate,” business operator Jim Winchell said. “I don’t see it going real fast. But our lease is in place,” and he hopes the new owner will honor that, he said.

Winchell, his wife, and his two sons run the business. Winchell lives in Fairfield and drives over the hill daily, he said. His two sons, Shawn and Jim Jr., live across the street from the market, he said.

Winchell said his business is slowly growing. “It’s taken a year to get us where we are,” he said, but “we see new customers every week.”

Would he like to buy the property? “I’m not in the financial position right now to make an offer,” Winchell said. “Maybe one of the resorts, or Pensus” should buy it, he said.

Marty Rodden, owner of Lake Berryessa Boat and Jet Ski rental, advertises his nearby business on a sign at the Corners.

“That’s the best spot to have a business, because anywhere you’re going on this lake you have to pass it,” he said. Rodden said he once considered leasing the market and bar, “but I looked at what the previous owner made, and it didn’t look good.”

This is a tough time to try and sell, Rodden said. After the Bureau of Reclamation took over resort operations, many longtime residents were forced out of the area, he noted.

“I don’t see the lake turning around for about five to eight years,” he said. However, “after that, I think it will be a thriving place.”

“The ideal buyer is someone who really believes in what Berryessa is going to become, and sees the potential,” Michael Holcomb of Strong & Hayden, one of the listing agents for the property, said.

“Pensus has made a major commitment to the area that should bring a lot of local and out-of-town visitors,” Holcomb said.

NAPA, California—November 8, 2011—An artisan gelato café will open at the Riverfront early next year.

Dr. Anthony M. LuPriore and Ron DeLay will be opening the café in Napa in addition to their location in Fullerton, California. Dr. LuPriore is one of the few master gelato makers in the United States.

The café will feature the highest quality of authentic Gelato and Sorbetto, the 16th century Italian delicacy.

The menu includes Gelato, Espresso Coffee drinks, Italian soft drinks, and some Italian pastries such as Cannoli, Sfogliatelle and Biscotti.

Frati Gelato offers catering for birthday celebrations, weddings, corporate events or other private functions.

Matt Connolly of Strong & Hayden Commercial Real Estate completed the lease transaction for the restaurant.

Strong & Hayden Completes Sale Transaction without Affecting Current Leases

NAPA— October 31, 2011—Todd Zapolski of Zapolski Real Estate has purchased the building at 1238 First Street in downtown Napa. The +/-9,300 square foot multi-tenant property is the current location of Playful Garden, Ceja Winery Tasting Room, Quiltmaker, and Shahin Oriental Rugs.

Zapolski has taken over the management of the building and the leases on the property continue through the sale.  Jim Henry, and Gary Van Dam of Strong and Hayden Commercial Real Estate represented and buyer and Michael Holcomb represented the seller in the transaction.

The property is a welcome addition to Zapolski Real Estate’s portfolio of property investments in Northern California.  The seller is Kay V. Dunne, Trustee. One vacant +/-1,900 SF space in the building will be marketed for lease.

For more information about other retail opportunities in Downtown Napa, visit www.stronghayden.com.

NAPA, California—October 10, 2011—Biscuits Restaurant will soon be opening at 1502 Main Street.

Chef Curtis Lindley and his wife Tara will transform the space formerly known as Frankie’s Deli in into a casual restaurant serving affordable, simple southern cuisine.

The menu features several types of fried chicken and buttermilk biscuit sandwiches as well as simple breakfast fare. All menu items, from the fluffy biscuits to the mixed berry jam and pickles, will be prepared in house with the most fresh and local ingredients available.

Chef Lindley was most recently Executive Sous Chef of the recently closed Cantinetta Piero in Yountville. His other restaurant experience includes Napa Valley’s Solage, Go Fish, and Martini House, Petra’s in Mammoth Lakes as well as his own Farm to Table Produce Company. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone.

“When I was a child, my grandfather owned and operated a fried chicken establishment in East Texas,” says Lindley. “I combined my insatiable appetite for fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits with the quality ingredients here in Napa and Sonoma Counties to create my menu.”

The restaurant will also offer southern style sweet tea, vintage sodas, and a variety of sweets such as red velvet cupcakes, fried pies, and house made popsicles. The restaurant will feature a remodeled interior and outdoor smoker area.  The restaurant is set to open late 2011.

Matt Connolly of Strong & Hayden Commercial Real Estate completed the lease transaction for the restaurant. Matt Connolly and Michael Holcomb represented the Lessor.

N’Ovations Salon for hair, skin, body and nails will host a grand opening event at 821 Coombs St. in Napa on Oct. 13, 4 to 7 p.m.

The larger and newly renovated full service salon is located on Coombs between Second and Third streets. In addition to salon services, the boutique sells hair accessories, handbags, clothing, jewelry and other gift items.

The master hairstylists at N’Ovations have been doing business in Napa for over 19 years. The salon’s manicurists specialize in Cal Gel and shellac and the estheticians offer full range of waxing and skin care services.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the salon at 266-1573.

Michael Holcomb of Strong & Hayden Commercial Real Estate represented Dayle Sanborn of N’Ovations, and Coldwell Banker represented the landlord in the lease transaction.

For more information about other retail opportunities in downtown Napa, call Strong & Hayden at 226-2661 or visit stronghayden.com.

Brokers Jim Henry and Gary Van Dam of Strong & Hayden represented the seller and Matt Connolly of Strong & Hayden represented the buyer in the transaction.

“This has been a six year project to complete,” says Broker Gary Van Dam. “Assembling multiple parcels, obtaining annexation to the city and market conditions made this transaction especially challenging.” In the 15 acre assemblage, another +/- 5.25 acres single family second phase of development is coming available.

Click here for “Alexander Crossing Parcel Sold” in the Napa Valley Register.

2400 Clay Street, Napa, CA

Strong and Hayden Commercial Real Estate recently negotiated a transaction to sell a 2,200 square foot commercially-zoned building at the corner of Clay and Jefferson Streets in Napa.

2400 Clay will be the new location of the Center for St. Pierre Massage, which relocated from Riverpark Shopping Center.

The property was the former site of Dr. Jeffery Taylor, Chiropractor.

Strong & Hayden Brokers Michael Holcomb, Jim Henry, & Gary Van Dam represented the seller. Gary Van Dam and Jim Henry represented the buyer of the property.

For more information about retail or office space, call 707-226-2661 or visit www.stronghayden.com.