Safeway pursues Internet wine sales out of AmCan office

By KERANA TODOROV
Register Staff Writer

Safeway could sell wine on the Internet from an office in American Canyon tucked inside an existing warehouse.

The American Canyon Planning Commission on Thursday gave Safeway the green light to open the Mezzetta Court office. The vote for the conditional use permit was 4-0.

From that office, Safeway, which also owns a grocery store in American Canyon, will only take orders for wines online from California residents, Safeway representatives told the Planning Commission.

The city wanted to make assurances that the sales tax would remain in American Canyon.

American Canyon Interim Planning Director Sandra Cleisz said Safeway has agreed that American Canyon will be the point-of-sale.

The office is inside the 378,000 square-foot warehouse, the majority of which is occupied by New Vine Logistics, a wine distributor.

“Safeway plans to use NVL to assist with warehousing and shipping logistics,” according to Safeway’s application with the city.

“How do you keep kids from ordering this stuff?” asked Commissioner Charlie Johnson.

Attorney Beth Aboulafia of Hinman and Carmichael LLP of San Francisco answered the company will require an adult signature for delivery. Shipments will be made by FedEx, according to Safeway.

Planning Commissioner Pamela Quiroz asked about the traffic. But Aboulafia said the use is already there, referring to the logistics company at the warehouse.

“The type of business is there,” she said.

It is unclear when the office will open.

“I don’t have timing right now,” said Marah Whiteaker, director of Safeway’s national direct business, after she left the meeting.

The American Canyon office is a test, she said. There could “potentially” be other offices, also said Whiteaker, who declined further comment.

According to the state Alcohol Beverage Control Board’s license, Safeway has applied obligates the company to be willing to sell wines at its location.

Safeway said the location of its new office will not be advertised, according to its application.

“Our intent is to comply with the law,” also said Aboulafia.

Customers could buy wine there, she said, “but we don’t expect many people to find their way over there.”

The Planning Commission approved the construction of the 378,000 square-foot Mezzetta Court building in 1997.

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