The following just went up on the Bohemian's Facebook page. I had been told by a reliable source about this sale, which she heard about from Barlow tenants. If this is true, it would not be likely to be good for Sebastopol and the West County, in my opinion. It would draw more tourists and much of the profit would go outside the city and county.
This does not yet appear to be a done deal. I would welcome hearing from those in Napa active in Wine and Water Watch (www.winewaterwatch.org) what they know about this Zapolski Real Estate, as well as from others about the possible sale, including current Barlow tenants. Barney has apparently been seeking to sell The Barlow in recent months.
First SoCo gets Napa vintners Paul Hobbs and Joe Wagner and perhaps now a major developer of tourism. Is this what Preserve Rural Sonoma County describes as the "Napafication" of SoCo?
Shepherd
North Bay Bohemian
This just in: Zapolski Real Estate is in contract to purchase Sebastopol's Barlow center for an undisclosed sum. Zapolski is the developer behind several downtown Napa projects including the First Street outdoor retail development. The company also has several projects in North Carolina.
Company spokesman Andrew Mazotti said while they don't have a "hard deposit" on the Barlow deal, he sees great potential to take the retail space "to the next level." He says his company does not want to recreate Napa in Sebastopol, but rather build on the community of local retailers and makers and keep the Barlow a "unique destination." He added that he'd like to expand marketing activities and increase the length of visitors' stay with more public spaces and high energy events.
Meanwhile, Barlow tenants unhappy with fees they've been charged continue to negotiate with current developer Barney Aldridge. Mazotti said the tenants' grievances would not impact the decision to purchase the property.
He would not say when escrow closes, but hinted it's "soon." "We're optimistic about it," he says. We'll have more on this story as it develops.