Theater Row Comes to Nave Drive

By Tom Walsh

Prospective commercial property investors seem to have had the 5400 block of Nave Drive off of their radar for quite some time. The weathered-looking condition of the properties there was not helped when a garbage truck careened into one of the buildings last summer. With the exception of a beauty school, the property has sat fairly idle until this March, when Mel and Angela Dagovitz became the new owners.

Developers from southern California had formerly owned the property at 5420 Nave Drive, according to Dave Losk of Losk Commercial Real Estate. “They had plans to level the buildings there and turn it into a strip mall," he said. "Then the economic downturn hit and further development of the site came to a grinding halt in 2007.”  

Now that spring has sprung, the new owners have breathed some new life into the buildings there. Mel Dagovitz said that construction of a new roof is currently under way and that it should be completed within the next two weeks. New paint and a parking lot renovation are also in the works.

Tenants will include the Novato Theater Company and Marin Dancewear and Theatrical Supply. They will join Marin Success Beauty Academy, which had moved into the site about a year ago. Another vacant property next door at 5404 Nave Drive will soon be the new home of a dental office.

Lorie Dapsevicius is the owner of Marin Dancewear & Theatrical Supply. The new shop will celebrate its grand opening on May 18. The public is welcome to come and take a peek at the showroom and receive Grand Opening discounts.  Dapsevicius promises a fun-filled event with free gifts, prizes and snacks.

The award-winning Novato Theater Company is relieved to have finally found a home after being on the road and performing in various locations in San Rafael.  

Its latest production of The Foreigner is expected to open on time on May 24.

Although construction on the theater will not be complete, theater company president Sandi Rubay is giving every indication that the show must go on.

“ADA codes kept us from being able to put the new seats on a risers, and county codes kept us from building a kitchen… not enough time to open on time, so these become phase two and will happen in July, and then we'll have a grand opening," she said.

Phase I will soon be complete however, which means there will be a stage with wings and seating. A ribbon cutting with all the anticipated festivities of a grand opening is not expected until sometime in August.
The city of Novato is expressing an upbeat outlook about the southern end of Nave Drive, as well.  

"We are thrilled to see this commercial area become vital again," said Bob Brown, Novato's community development director.

Do you know of a local new business opening, closing or anniversary celebration? We want to know! Please contact Tom at tomnovatopatch@gmail.com with all your business tips.

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• Retail Leakage: What Do Other North Bay Cities Have that Novato Doesn't?
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• Council Considers Moratorium on Development of North Redwood Boulevard