Vince Sheehan Real Estate Now RE/Max

After 36 years, on Grant Avenue in downtown Novato is now a Re/Max office.

Sheehan said the nationwide realty company contacted him as it looked to expand in Marin County, and the plan made sense for him.

“The benefits of their networking, technology and design tools lend themselves to productivity gains that are just too costly for an independent to duplicate,” Sheehan said.

Re/Max's numbers really told the tale for him. In 2011, Re/Max was No. 1 in property sales nationwide.  They also had the most average sales per agent and had the highest total sales dollar volume. 

Sheehan officially made the change on the Fourth of July and celebrated the opening in style by handing out free 350 snow cones and 400 packages of animal crackers at Novato’s annual parade.

The down-hominess of Sheehan’s business seemed a good fit for Re/Max, he said. Although it is a nationwide company, Sheehan said that the husband-and-wife team that started it like to think they run their company much like a family-owned business. Sheehan said he flew to Denver to meet them and that he liked what he heard and he liked what he saw.  

Sheehan said that Re/Max supports the Susan G. Komen Foundation in the fight against breast cancer. Re/Max agents have also given over $155 million to the Children’s Miracle Network since 1992.

“I like that Re/Max is involved in giving back to the community just as we have been,” he said. Sheehan’s company has supported Novato School Fuel, Pleasant Valley Elementary, San Marin High music and drama programs, Our Lady of Loretto School/Church and clubs. Sheehan says they will continue to do so under the Re/Max banner as well.

Changes Afoot at Pacheco Plaza

Now that the ’s lease has expired at Pacheco Plaza and the community theater group keeps , a still-unnamed pet food business is getting ready to occupy the playhouse space and the former nail salon at the upscale shopping center in Ignacio. The new store hopes to be open by the holidays, according to the plaza's Megan Gast.

has relocated to the other side of the plaza next to Arts Desire, and the has taken over the former florist spot next to . The museum, which hosted a special public event at the new location July 14, plans to be open next month with rotating exhibits changing every quarter.

Gast said the former WestAmerica Bank building will be demolished in the fall to make way for an 8,000-square-foot class A retail space with an extensive outdoor patio space and landscaped pedestrian areas. Earlier this year, moved a quarter mile away to another location closer to Highway 101.

Also, Subway Sandwiches is wrapping up its interior remodel, Gast said.

New Gym at Novato Fair

Anytime Fitness has targeted Sept. 1 as its opening date at 946 Diablo Ave., the former site of The Loop gym and Bradley Video in the Novato Fair Shopping Center, according to a company press release. Remodeling is currently under way. 

Anytime is a 24-hour fitness club that offers members affordability and convenience of access with 24/7 security-access keys. The gym offers a variety of classes, including Zumba, yoga, Pilates and boot camp. In celebration of its grand opening, it is offering a pre-sale discount with a zero enrollment fee and no contract. Membership information is available at the club, 946 Diablo Ave., or by calling 415-898-1166 or by visiting www.anytimefitness.com.

Gift Shop Finds New Home in Old Town

Jan and Austin Morris will soon be moving out of the historic 1908 Flatiron building at 701 Grant Ave. and settling into new digs a block away at 817 Grant Ave., formerly the site of the Mili Boutique.

Morris & Company specializes in gifts and home accessories. The inventory includes furniture and lighting, tabletop linens, candles, French soaps and jewelry.

Bank of Marin Introduces New Board Member

Michaela Rodeno has been appointed to Bank of Marin’s Board of Directors. In a release issued by the Novato-based bank, Rodeno became a director effective July 2 and brings 40 years of business and wine industry experience. She was formerly a VP of marketing for Domaine Chandon and was the first CEO of St. Supery Winery. During her tenure she also served as a board director for Silicon Valley Bank for 10 years. 

Rodeno is an advisor to Astia, a global organization that mentors to women-owned businesses.  She also lectures for the International and Executive programs at the University of San Francisco School of Business and manages the Rodeno family winery, Villa Ragazzi. Rodeno graduated from the UC Davis and earned her MBA at the Haas School of Business at the Cal. She and her family reside in the Napa Valley.

Do you have tips about businesses coming, going or expanding in Novato? Email the author or leave a comment on this story. Send business press releases to brent.ainsworth@patch.com.