Napa Valley Register
Written by: Jennifer Huffman
After almost five years of planning and development of First Street Napa, the first national retailer has been announced.
Lush, the U.K.-based company that sells “fresh, handmade cosmetics,” will open a store in the revamped downtown shopping center, according to Todd Zapolski, principal of Zapolski Real Estate, LLC.
A second new First Street Napa tenant was also announced – a wine bar, restaurant and wine retail shop called Compline.
Compline will occupy the former Gillwoods restaurant space. Lush will be located in the same building as Eiko’s restaurant along First.
As a national retailer, Lush marks a milestone for the development, which Zapolski first bought almost exactly five years ago. The mall, formerly the Napa Town Center, had struggled for years before the sale. Zapolski has since partnered with Trademark Property Company to redevelop the center.
In 2016, project representatives said that more than half a dozen leases had been signed and final lease terms were in the works for about 20 other tenants. Zapolski said more leases would be announced this summer.
The First Street redevelopment plan, valued at more than $200 million, includes more than 40 shops and restaurants and the 183-room luxury Archer hotel. The hotel is being developed by LodgeWorks Partners. The opening date for the hotel is said to be later this year.
“Lush is fan favorite for those who enjoy handmade cosmetics and beauty products,” said Zapolski. “We are confident they are perfect for our market and will draw a crowd from day one.”
“This is a great location for Lush” to reach locals and visitors, including those “who travel from around the world to Napa,” said Alyssa Gates, Lush’s director of U.S. real estate.
“We are excited to be a part of this mixed-use project that will sit as an anchor to downtown Napa,” Gates said. “We believe our new shop will be a perfect addition to First Street Napa.”
Compline is the first venture for partners Matt Stamp, a master sommelier, and Ryan Stetins, according to a news release. Both men live in Napa.
“We’ve spent a lot of time as sommeliers on fine-dining restaurant floors in Napa Valley and elsewhere, and now we’re ready to do something a little more casual and fun,” said Stamp.
“We think the location is fantastic,” Stamp said. “It’s right next to the Archer hotel.”
“It makes a lot of sense to be either on First Street or along Main Street where everything is happening,” he said.
“We are confident Compline will become a local favorite and the community will support these two passionate gentleman,” said Zapolski.
According to Stamp, Compline—a Latin reference to the completion of the working day—“is a celebration of Napa wine country, Napa cuisine and the wines we love to drink.”
Lush and Compline join other previously announced tenants Eiko’s Sushi, Charlie Palmer Steak and Napa Valley Jewelers, the first of some 40-plus street-level tenants, said Zapolski.
“We have seen great demand from area residents for artisanal brands in Napa, so we’re happy to deliver,” said Zapolski. The new tenants will start opening in the fall.
“Our goal is to bring the best collection of stores that we can to Napa—save the drive to shop elsewhere, stay in town, run into your neighbors, enjoy the time you get back from driving and to support our community,” Zapolski said.
Lush is known for soaps, bath “bombs,” body lotions and creams and other fragrant cosmetics. Customers are encouraged to sample products in the shops. There are hundreds of Lush stores in the U.S., including 39 Lush shops in California, in cities such as Walnut Creek and Santa Rosa.
Two office tenants at First Street Napa were also announced this past week: Pacific Union International and Silicon Valley Bank. The two businesses will occupy space on the second floor of the former McCaulou’s department store.
In addition to these tenants, Brown Estate recently opened the Brown Downtown tasting lounge in the upper level of the Beckstoffer Building at First and Coombs streets, which is also managed by First Street Napa.