Months of Rumors Surrounding Local Craft Store Resolved: Ben Franklin Closing

The rumors are true. , Novato’s only large-scale craft store, is closing. 

Rumors of the store’s impending closure have circulated for months, but this week a “Store Closing” sign went up and employees confirmed the craft store would close by May.  Until then, you can take advantage of store-wide sales of 20 percent off, and in some cases, even more.  All sales are final, however. 

Challenges certainly lie ahead in finding a tenant to occupy the iconic, red barn building at Vintage Oaks shopping center. Sure, it ties into Novato’s agricultural history, but not every retailer can pull of that look. 

Calls to Vintage Oaks' property manager were not immediately returned and a call to Ben Franklin's corporate headquarters referred Novato Patch back to the local store manager.

Until Ben Franklin announced its closure, the shopping center was at full capacity. Check the box below to receive a follow-up notice when a new tenant is announced. 

Changes at the Tresch Galleria Building

Over the past two months, the former Tresch Galleria building at 7400 Redwood Blvd. has been periodically covered in scaffolding as it received a facelift.  The building was sold in November, not long after its main tenant, Tresch Appliances, closed.  Since then, the first-floor retail space and entire exterior have been remodeled.

Leasing agent David Losk of North Bay Commercial Property Advisors said he is looking for tenants. Ideally, Losk said, a “destination-type retail” store, bakery, restaurant or deli would be a good fit for the location. However, no potential tenants have come forward, and the space remains vacant.

Trek Winery Enters Into Official Negotiations

The city of Novato’s plans to sell or lease one of two Old Town buildings to Trek Winery appear to be heading out of limbo. The possible location of a wine tasting room has been narrowed to one of two city-owned properties on Sherman Avenue. 

Negotiations between the city and Trek Winery to sell or lease 900 or 908 Sherman Avenue to Trek were on the agenda of a closed session Joint City Council/Redevelopment Agency meeting on Monday, Feb. 7.

Previously, possible locations for the tasting room included a privately-owned house at 1016 Machin Avenue and the city-owned Silva-Kuser house, next to the city museum on De Long Avenue.

Huge Gift for Buck Center

Last week, Novato-based announced it received $3.5 million from the Ellen and Douglas Rosenberg Foundation to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.  The funds will go to the Bredesen laboratory in Novato, run by Buck faculty member Dr. Dale Bredesen and will support research aimed at developing treatments for the disease. Retired San Francisco real estate developer Douglas Rosenberg’s goal is to raise at least $10 million to get the new drug candidates into early clinical trials. 

Circle Bank Will Accept IOUs From the State

Novato’s recently announced that it will accept state issued IOUs if they are issued because of California’s continuing fiscal problems.  The bank will accept vouchers issued in “lieu of payment” to businesses for services provided by the state or to state agencies. Circle Bank CEO/president Kim Kaselionis said that the offer will be available to all Circle Bank clients.

“If local businesses are issued IOUs by the state, we intend to honor them,” Kaselionis said. “Our role as a local business is to be a supportive partner to our clients during challenging times and to be flexible, innovative and to think outside of the box to fulfill that commitment."