[caption id="attachment_89519" align="alignright" width="179"] Cathy D'Angelo Holmes[/caption]
So much focus is on downtown Napa, as well it should be. However, the city has enjoyed some national retailers in other areas.
At the Napa Crossings center at the north end, newcomers are Chico’s, Pier 1 Imports, ULTA, Vitamin Shoppe and Sleep Train Mattress Center plus food vendors Habit Burger, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Panera Bread.
Also coming to Napa on the north side is Sprouts Farmers Market in retail space being created from Justin-Sienna High School's sports field on Solano Avenue. Orchard Supply Hardware will accompany the grocery retailer and leave Bel Air Plaza.
Under construction at the south end of town is Napa Crossings South at Soscol and Kansas avenues. It will house HomeGoods, TJMaxx, and Michaels. The arts and crafts store is much-needed in the community.
Although the retailers above are much-needed, what we crave and support are the independent retailers that bring us specialty items and hand-crafted foods that give us the reputation we deserve of being an epicenter for food, wine, and the arts.New to downtown
The following have been added in the past year downtown or are coming soon, contributing to the low 5 percent vacancy rate.
Starting at the northern end of Main Street are Biscuits, a casual eatery featuring a Texas-style biscuit; Lulu’s restaurant at 1313 Main complements an expansive wine tasting room; Napa Valley Bistro next to Azzurro Pizzeria has classic American food with a twist; Cate&Co., a gluten-free bake shop at the Oxbow Public Market from the owner of C-Casa; Ca’Momi full-service restaurant expanded at Oxbow; Napa Valley Distillery, crafting small-batch fruit-based distilled spirits, tonics and syrups; Marshalls Farm Honey and The Monkey Flower Group now have carts at Oxbow.
Moving south on Main Street, newcomers are Melted, a grilled-cheese sandwich cafe; TORC, a contemporary, high-energy American restaurant with global influences; City Winery in Napa Valley Opera House, with dinner downstairs and concerts upstairs; and Bellissimo gourmet deli.
Continuing south on Main to Second Street, there are Napkins Bar and Grill with American fare and a full bar; Molinari’s Cafe with early and late hours; and Carpe Diem Wine Bar expanded on Brown Street.
New at The Riverfront development at Third and Main streets are Scott Lyall Shoes; Cake Plate women's clothing and accessories store, which relocated nearby; and Thomas Bartlett Interiors.
From First and Main south are Lucero with tastes and sales of top-quality Northern California olive oil; Vermeil Wines, ultrapremium Calistoga wines and outdoor seating; Shiro Korean- and Japanese-style restaurant in front of Kohl's; Napa Valley Casual women's clothing and accessories; JAX White Mule Diner with classic food reminiscent of simpler times; Napa Bella, women’s accessories and apparel for all ages and sizes; Cigarden premium cigars and tobacco store and smoking lounge next to Beaded Nomad; Cult Following tasting room for 12 premium Napa wineries; Williamson and Company men’s clothing, moved from inside Napa Center; Boho Lifestyle interior design, apparel and event rentals; Capp Heritage Vineyards tasting room; and Vegas-styled Empire with a full cocktail menu and bites available late into the night.
Now named The Shops at Napa Center, Zapolski Real Estate is under construction to refurbish Napa Town Center with 40 retail spaces. The partnership added the 20,000-square-f00t Gordon Building to the development, now totaling 170,000 square feet plus a new 186-room Archer Hotel to be constructed by LodgeWorks Partners. The hotel will feature rooftop entertainment areas, including a pool.Coming soon
Restaurants coming soon downtown include Burger Fi to Main Street next to Bounty Hunter; Mango (formerly Cielto Lindo) on Main; Velo Pizzeria (formerly Pilars); Atlas Social restaurant-bar in half the retail space in front of Kohl's and operated by Christina and Michael Gyetvan, owners of Azzurro Pizzeria and Norman Rose Tavern; dinner-only steak and seafood house Cordeiro’s Bar and Grill in the long-shuttered Bay Leaf on Monticello Road.
Beer has made its way downtown with Napa Point Brewery and Gastropub, set to open at some point in the Borreo Building at Third and Soscol.
Under construction at The Riverfront are improvements for Sidestreet Cigars and men's clothier between Fish Story and Pear. Coming to the Main Street in front of Frati Gelato Cafe will be a retail wine store.
Also, don’t be surprised to see a brewpub with a 20-foot silo for grain storage or a family-friendly sports bar with great food.
Yes, all of this has been taking place, opening or incubating in one year in downtown Napa.
