Business & Tech

NapaStyle Los Gatos Store Gets Green Light to Sell Wine, Beer

Retailer is also allowed to have up to 24 private events annual, which may include wine tastings, but limited to 25 guests.

NapaStyle, 32 No. Santa Cruz Ave., will get to sell a limited amount of beer and wine bottles from its premises after a unanimous vote by the Los Gatos Town Council Monday evening.

K.C. Branch, an attorney representing the retailer, said plans to change the store's use permit began a year ago.

"We're not looking to turn this into a liquor store, or a BevMo, or a Total Wine and More," Branch said. "All we want is a few bottles to sell ... as part of our NapaStyle niche."

The alcohol sale is not the store's primary source of income, he said, but will be limited to about 60 bottles remaining primarily a home goods shop, he added.

NapaStyle will also be allowed to have private events, which may include wine tasting, 6-9 p.m., but limited to 24 annually and open to 25 guests maximum.

Such events, which will be closed to the public, may be served by an Alcoholic Beverage Control licensed caterer.

Los Gatos Vice Mayor Marcia Jensen wondered why the Los Gatos store doesn't offer clients sample foods as its sister store in Yountville like dips with bread.

The rep said he didn't know why, but figured it might be due to perhaps trying to bring more people into the store or another marketing strategy being implemented.

On July 24, the Los Gatos Planning Commission recommended denial of the permit's modification citing concerns related to intensification of parking ald alcohol service without a clear benefit to the community.

Los Gatos Councilwoman Barbara Spector said planners struggled with the business' permit modification request because the body is in the process of rewriting its alcohol policy.

"This is raising issues that are problematic for Los Gatos' downtown," Spector said.

The business' new permit will have to be reviewed after a year, the Council voted.

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