V Marketplace Celebrates 40 Years of Specialty Retail Excellence

Yountville-Napa Valley, CA – June 20, 2008 – The historic specialty retail complex, formerly known as Vintage 1870, in the world-renowned epicurean hamlet of Yountville, proudly celebrates its 40th anniversary with an abundance of special events in the coming year.

In 1968, the collection of historic buildings known as the Groezinger Winery Estate were destined to be demolished and sold for the price of their antique bricks. A small group of visionaries purchased the 23-acre property and lovingly restored it as a home to specialty and craft retailers in that same year. The buildings were originally constructed in 1870 as one of the first and largest wineries in the Napa Valley.

One V Marketplace retailer will also celebrate their 40th anniversary in the historic center.
Hansel and Gretel, a children’s boutique, opened its doors in July 1968. Founding owner Ruth Lincoln, along with her daughter Karen Millhouse, still outfit the children of the Napa Valley. Hansel and Gretel shoppers of today include three generations of loyal customers. Join the Lincoln family in celebration of this amazing retail milestone on July 1 at 11:00am. Refreshments will be served and you may enter a prize drawing for valuable gift certificates!

Other storied tenants include Adventures Aloft, Napa Valley’s original hot air balloon company founded in the early 1970’s and still flying daily from the center; ielle, a clothing and accessory boutique for women, celebrating over 30 years in business, and Gallery 1870, purveyor of fine wine related art will celebrate 14 years. Pacific Blues Café, serving “Maverick American Food” to devoted locals and visitors for 12 years, joins many other retailers in the center who will celebrate milestones of 10 years or more.

V Marketplace will proudly welcome its newest specialty retailer, NapaStyle in early July, and renovation is currently underway for Michael Chiarello’s new signature restaurant in fall 2008.

V Wine Cellar, the sommelier-owned wine retailer was recently relocated to a prime location within V Marketplace in April.

A re-branding of the center took place in 2007 in anticipation of the exciting changes the center was envisioning. “The new V Marketplace brand reflects the rebirth of the Vintage 1870 icon, with homage to its historic roots and a dynamic redesign in the direction of its merchant core,” says Managing General Partner Jan Lee Fechter.

V Marketplace on The Vintage Estate, along with its sister properties Villagio Inn & Spa and the Vintage Inn, is located at 6525 Washington Street in Yountville, 45 miles north of San Francisco and 9 miles north of the City of Napa off Hwy 29. Hours of operation are 10:00am to 5:30pm daily. For more information, call 707-944-2451

For a complete list of shops and 40th anniversary special events, visit www.vmarketplace.com

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