Sonoma Wine Bar & Bistro is searching for additional sites in the Mid-Atlantic to join its first location now open at The Town Center of Virginia Beach.

Sonoma Pours Wine Bar & Bistros Across Mid-Atlantic

VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA -- The Sonoma Wine Bar & Bistro in Virginia Beach won’t be single for long.  Co-owners Chuck Patty and Ian Honaker feel their concept is ripe for expansion beyond their current location in The Town Center of Virginia Beach.  To do so, they have turned to the development’s leasing team—Divaris Real Estate, Inc. (DRE)—to help open Sonoma locations up and down the mid-Atlantic.

            Initially born of Patty’s dining establishment preference when he was out of town for his “day job” as a real estate investor, Sonoma was conceived to be a multi-unit, restaurant-style chain spread throughout a broad geographic region. 

Patty and Honaker began with one location in a retail center they felt would be a “great springboard” for an upscale environment the likes of Sonoma.  Situated on the plaza block of the 17-block, $500 million Town Center of Virginia Beach, Sonoma is patronized by customers exploring an eclectic and exciting  mix of retail stores—such as Sumatra Salon & Day Spa, Stanley Adams Stationery & Gifts, Blue Taxi, Honey Tree, Relax the Back and many more.

            “We chose the location for what the location offers,” said Patty.  “We both [Patty and DRE’s CEO Gerald Divaris] had an appreciation for the potential success of this concept.  They took a stretch on us, since it was our first operation, and… I think it’s paid off.” 

Approximately 700,000 square feet of the Town Center is reserved for upscale retail; Class A office space occupies 800,000 square feet; and there are 600 deluxe apartments and condominiums.  Also, two hotels—including the 38-story Westin now under construction—are available for out-of-town travelers. 

Equally likely to generate strong customer traffic for Sonoma will be the $50 million Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, slated for completion in the summer of 2007.  This cultural complex broke ground in May 2005, adjacent to the Westin.

At present, Sonoma’s owners plan to open additional units within the Mid-Atlantic, a market in which Patty feels the dynamics of their concept will thrive.  Mostly the “live-work-play” combinations in lifestyle town centers with anchors like The Cheesecake Factory and Ruth’s Chris Steak House are being considered.  Patty states that he wants Sonoma to continue the success it’s had at The Town Center of Virginia Beach which works off these big-draw, high-traffic generators. 

Areas currently in the running for possible locations include additional units on the Virginia Peninsula; in Richmond and Northern Virginia; Baltimore; and North Carolina’s Raleigh-Durham market.

Partially chosen because of Patty’s long-term professional relationship with Gerald Divaris, he also feels, “they [DRE] understand the criteria of what we’re looking for in site selection.  Having been involved in the first site choice, I think that Gerald and the rest of the Divaris team are probably the best suited for us and for the markets we’re looking into.”

Many of the same design concepts from Virginia Beach’s Sonoma will factor into the new locations, with modifications made to fit each the space.  New sites will require between 3,000 and 5,000 square feet.   The kitchens in each will be modeled after the current Sonoma concept, which build on efficiency and space saving.  In order to do this, dishes such as the Serrano ham, wild mushroom and Camembert panini, and Prince Edward Island mussels simmered in a tomato-Pinot Noir broth, tossed with arugula, will be made from fresh ingredients delivered daily. 

The design highlight for each new eatery will remain the central bar, which will use a hydrogen based delivery system that allows for as many as 75 glasses of wine to be poured at any given time.  Wine selection and day-to-day operations will be guided and tailored for each location by Honaker, and each new site will feature a comprehensive wine list that may spotlight local wineries.  Additionally, wine will be available for retail purchase on the premises.

“I think [this project’s] been a great relationship so far,” said Patty about working with DRE.  “We continue to have weekly discussions about the plans, and we continue to look to expand it.”