Artisanal Wine Shop Gets a Public Hearing Aug. 7

Plans for an artisanal wine and spirits shop on Grand Avenue will come before the Oakland Planning Commission for approval early next month. (See "Grand Lake Business Battle: Artisanal Wine Shop vs. City of Oakland" for background on the proposed shop.)

The commission will decide on Wednesday, Aug. 7, whether to OK a major conditional use permit and variance that would allow the Alchemy Bottle Shop to open at 3258 Grand Ave., Oakland, the building that formerly housed Ford's Fine Furniture. Mijori restaurant and the newly opened Knimble resale shop are located in the same building.

According to city planning staff, the special permissions are needed because the proposed location is outside city guidelines for new liquor stores. It's within 1,000 feet of another retail liquor outlet, the Grand Lake Market at 3217 Grand Ave., which is across the street and down the block. It's also within 1,000 feet of a park — a portion of Lakeside Park.

City planners initially took a dim view of Peter Mustacich and Tova Herman's plans for a shop selling premium, locally sourced artisanal wines and distilled spirits, with an upstairs art gallery and, potentially, weekly wine tastings.

The proposal gained some traction, though, after a number of local residents and business owners indicated support for the new shop.

The planning commission hearing was initially scheduled for July 17 but was then moved to the Aug. 7 agenda. The commission meeting begins at 6 p.m. in Oakland City Hall, and the Alchemy Bottle Shop item is the first public hearing on the evening's agenda. You may see the complete meeting agenda on the City of Oakland website.

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