Copia looks to sell, but stay | Napa Valley Register

1:45 p.m.Faced with staggering debt, Copia is planning to sell off its 12-acre riverfront property on the Oxbow, possibly by the end of the year, shifting most of its wine and food programs to new facilities in San Francisco.

Copia hopes to lease back part of its Napa campus for selected aspects of the operation, said Garry McGuire, Copia’s president and CEO.

“We are committed to Copia’s home base and headquarters remaining in Napa,” wrote McGuire.

“The core business of Copia is healthy and growing.” However, Copia’s $78 million bond debt “is not sustainable,” he wrote.

“The best solution is to move Copia to a facility that is not encumbered by so much debt,” and get the highest price for the property itself, he wrote.

The sale would end a seven-year struggle to make Copia, a one-of-a-kind cultural center, an economic success.

The $55 million center opened in November, 2001. Napa officials hailed it as anchor for hotels and restaurants that would draw tourists to downtown and the Oxbow.

The campus, which was the dream of vintner Robert Mondavi, never drew the expected crowds.

Check back later in the day for more on this story

53 comment(s)

marine1/1 wrote on Nov 13, 2008 1:58 PM:

" I'll be glad to see it gone. It would be nice to see it turned into a skating rink or something for the kids of this community instead of a tourist trap like eveything else. Make some good use of the space for Napa Residence. I do like the outside gardens though. "

JustMy$.02 wrote on Nov 13, 2008 2:15 PM:

" Sorry marine, but between the Oxbow and the forth coming Ritz, they are not going to put a skating rink or anything else for the locals. "

sickothis wrote on Nov 13, 2008 2:15 PM:

" So do we get our bond money back? That would be helpful. Wonder how much they can get for that property..?

And please marine1/1. A skating rink?

I see a conference center going in there. 3 major hotels in walking distance, plenty of parking. "

jmo wrote on Nov 13, 2008 2:27 PM:

" How about a permanent shelter for the homeless? I am sure the Oxbow, Westin and Ritz won't mind.
We need a little more in depth reporting here. How does one get into an $87 million debt situation when it is only a t $55 million center? What's the estimated asking price?
Gee do you think this will qualify for a bailout...from the city....the county....

What's going to happen to Julia's kitchen, the Friday night flicks and lastly the summer lawn concerts.....what will we do??? -:) "

manxkat wrote on Nov 13, 2008 2:48 PM:

" Another business going down and more people out of work. If anybody wants a job to support a family it is time to start supporting the needs of business. We need to reject all new rules regarding green requirements; we need to stop fines on business for emitting green house gases; we need to reduce the permit fees; we need to give tax breaks to businesses; we need a moratorium on unionization and horrendous wage and benefits demands. If a business can't make a profit it will die and lay off all employees!
If you disagree, you probably have a job as a government pig at the public trough. I'll see you at the Salvation Army soup kitchen. "

hellokitty wrote on Nov 13, 2008 2:58 PM:

" GEESH! I am tired that everything in the Napa Valley is for the tourist!!!! I trully don't mind if they close copia, I would be trully HAPPY! they should put like a skating rink, or something fun, BUT please stop putting in more HOTELS, EXPENSIVE CONDOS, OR REALLY FANCY PANCY STORES THAT ONLY TOURISTS WOULD GO TO! hAS ANY ONE GONE TO DOWNTOWN? AND IF YOU DO.. DO YOU MOSTLY SEE ANYONE THAT YOU KNOW "THAT IS NOT WORKING AT THE STORE" BECAUSE I HAVE GONE TO DOWNTOWN NAPA AND I ONLY SEE A LOT OF TOURISTS, THE ONLY TIME THAT I SEE PEOPLE THAT I KNOW IS WHEN IT'S FARMERS MARKET AND THATS, THAT. C'MON STOP WITH ALL THE DUMB TOURIST STORES! "

napabob wrote on Nov 13, 2008 3:14 PM:

" This is certainly bad news for the Napa Valley, the wine industry, and the hundreds of thousands of guest who have truly enjoyed visiting COPIA. It is too bad that most of the people who blog about COPIA have bad things to say about it. The guests who actually participate in its classes and programs always have positive things to say. Too bad those of you who never participated in the the wonderful classes, programs, concerts, and other events have time to write negative comments about COPIA but never took the time to actively participate in any of the events and find out what a remarkable place COPIA is. It's easy to sit on the sidelines and take potshots at COPIA. Why don't you actually state whether you've even been in the building or not. Or whether you've even attended one of the wine classes. Or one of the hands-on cooking classes. "

Dwayne wrote on Nov 13, 2008 3:17 PM:

" Copia didn't go over well because people want to have fun, not be subjected to snooty wine snobs.... "

Project707 wrote on Nov 13, 2008 3:20 PM:

" hey manxkat- FYI the salvation army is closing its doors too!!! "

muddiva wrote on Nov 13, 2008 3:33 PM:

" I agree with marine1/1, Napa needs something for the locals to do that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

When i was a kid we had a skating rink, it was a lot of fun and kept us out of trouble. "

tiredofcomplainingnapkins wrote on Nov 13, 2008 3:38 PM:

" To Hellokitty,
Unfortunantly are economy only survives because of the tourism. We could not put more stores in there for locals because locals wouldn't be able to shop there because there would be no job for locals without the tourists, meaning there would be no money for locals to spend. Are economy is a service based. A major percentage of Napas population works in a service industry of some sort. Without the tourists there wouldn't be jobs for these people. These peoples lives are to serve others and make enough money to live. Its not a prospering industry. We are servants to people who have more money. Thats the way it is "

napan1961 wrote on Nov 13, 2008 3:39 PM:

" One: If it was 1950, maybe kids would be interested in a skating rink.
Two: How would skating rink support a $55 million building? What are they going to charge $100 per/hr to skate?

They make things for tourists, because they are the only people who spend money here. Heck, the locals go out of town to shop most of the time. They don't support our economy. The tourists do. So, the town attracts more tourist friendly businesses... vicious circle, aint it? "

bubble wrote on Nov 13, 2008 3:46 PM:

" Welcome back Musikluvr...I mean Manxkat. Your pig at the public trough comment gave you away. "

MP wrote on Nov 13, 2008 4:13 PM:

" And if we didn't have tourists what would we have...lots more empty storefronts because there would be few customers. If stores could survive by catering to locals only they would still be in business. The old industries that provided wages to Napans are not here any longer -- the businesses that attract tourists also employ locals. "

yamamama wrote on Nov 13, 2008 4:15 PM:

" manxkat - I suppose on the eve of the computer revolution you would have wanted the country to develop more carbon paper and typewriter ribbons. Green technology is the future, and might actually save the economy.

Back to the NVR story . . .

Sorry to see Copia fail, but when they didn't treat the locals well when they first opened (like others have reported, my personal experience was negative) they created their own sad ending. "

derby girl wrote on Nov 13, 2008 4:35 PM:

" Roller Rink sounds good to me! Although it would never happen and probably not be very economical, Roller Rink sounds great! I think something like a Napa Center would be good, something that would benefit the town and everyone could use. A place to have meetings, weddings, etc. A space for kids, for learning, playing, sprots, etc. A spot for the arts and of course wine education... It is a large area, it could definitely be turned into something that would benefit the entire community. I think that would make the most sense, but I am totally game for a skating rink!! "

MarshaMarsha wrote on Nov 13, 2008 4:46 PM:

" Just as soon as major hotel chains are drawn to the area because of Copia...

Copia sells the store!

Anyone else experiencing irony and humor from this? LMAO! "

shareathought wrote on Nov 13, 2008 5:43 PM:

" I am sure that many will be inclined to join in a discussion with such comments: "If you disagree, you probably have a job as a government pig at the public trough."

It is not only our local economy but that of the nation as well as the world that is in jeopardy, without a notion of when things might get better.

If there were a way that we could pull it off, COPIA could be a great community civic center.

Unfortunately, many of the recent-past, local, decision-makers (city attorneys, managers, planners, etal), thought more of making an immediate showing (buck), then they did of looking at how things would be over time. Soon after approving more development than had been seen over a period of twenty years, most retired.

Few of the every-day citizen found time to become involved in our community. Only now, after we have a great loss of businesses and jobs with empty apartments and houses do we hear complaints from those who were too busy to pay attention. Much of Napa belongs to investors from outside the area if not the nation.

Its not likely that the tourist industry nor our monoculture will save us. We must be innovative. We must "reject" all foolish suggestions to intensify our own demise.

Rather then a hurried patch-job and more excuses as to why we don't have to do things in an environmentally save and healthy way, why can't we do things right from the start and benefit our human community and all other living things? "

Baraki wrote on Nov 13, 2008 6:23 PM:

" SOMETHING for locals, PLEASE!!! Even Copia catered to tourists more than Napans... "

109823 wrote on Nov 13, 2008 6:43 PM:

" To bad they didn't wait for the Ritz to be built before announcing the sale. Then we would have a nice homless shelter, maybe they'll build it anyway. "

besmart wrote on Nov 13, 2008 7:12 PM:

" Well it's not like everybody has not been saying since it opened. What is it? How is it going to make money? It was just another big tribute to Robert Mondavi. The city officals made it sound like he was donating all the money for it. When in fact we the taxpayers foot the bill again. How about Mondavi foot the bill? He is the one that thought it was such a great idea. The city council are the ones that jumped in head first. When are they going to be held accountable for their actions? look back in the records and see who voted for this great idea and see what the great idea was. Just like the flood project peoples backs are getting scratched money is changing hands. Land is bought up and then not being used for its intended plans.How could they be that much in debt? There is no way without some money disappearing. People wake up and don't let this happen again without some accountabillity. "

besmart wrote on Nov 13, 2008 7:16 PM:

" As for the fool who wrote the hundreds of thousands of guests that have visited there . Wake up maybe thousands. Maybe. They had no plan working plan from the start. They filtered the money out of it right under our noses. It is imposible to be that much in debt, when they do nothing there. "

verum wrote on Nov 13, 2008 7:17 PM:

" Whatever happens there will draw more traffic. That is a given. "

besmart wrote on Nov 13, 2008 7:25 PM:

" Did not mondavi donate $30,000,000 himself and alot of other people donate also? Where did all that money go? I saw where the state gave them a grant for $1,000,000. Where did the money go ? somebody had better find out before antthing else happens. People need to be jheld accountable. The money does not disappear people. "

charmyomacky wrote on Nov 13, 2008 7:33 PM:

" Thank you to the Copia gardens for providing the cauliflower, snap peas, beet, and bok choi plants in our garden. Thank you to Copia for hosting some very useful gardening workshops, as well as for the fun: taking out of town guests wine blending, or to the festival.

I am a lifelong Napa Valley resident who is sad to see Copia close its doors - this was one place that was really different and there was always something we could enjoy there or take an out of town guest to see... without having to do another wine tasting!

Fellow residents: if you are going to knock Copia, first make sure you know what copia actually does. Strange as it may sound, for our family, Copia has been a great local spot. And, for the record, I am no wine snob. "

Newview wrote on Nov 13, 2008 7:40 PM:

" The fine pursuit of culture while obscuring the local culture, get it? Another SF style attempt in Napa employing out of towners to run the facility at high dollar wages resulting in staggering debt and then depriving the local community of having the facility for its own use. Simply put they came drank the wine and went home. Viva La Copia? How about the Oxbow that was taken by eminent domain? And those who owned the property? If the City of Napa is serious about the movement for tourism then they should wake up and realize it is the local inhabitants that make the culture. Viva La Copia! The locals get the left overs, maybe they can squeeze a Starbucks, Outback and Subway in there and put up photos of Britney, Jennifer and Rapadapanapa. "

hawkins707 wrote on Nov 13, 2008 7:43 PM:

" How about an ESPN Zone? Something for locals and all the tourists alike. If Napa wants to really spice up it's image, an ESPN Zone would be perfect. "

krusty wrote on Nov 13, 2008 7:53 PM:

" Hundreds of thousands of guests have visted there, besmart. Copia's own attendance figures show that. I'm guessing you've never been there.

It's not a bad place. Some of you should have given it a try before you bashed it. The first time I visited, the co-owner of Scharfenberger chocolate was there. I learned a lot about chocolate and how it is made and grown. At the end of his presentation we all got free samples of Scharfenberger chocolate. I didn't pay a dime while I was there and I enjoyed it. "

hellokitty wrote on Nov 13, 2008 8:16 PM:

" I do know that, that is how economy works, Im not that dumb, but the reason that I was saying this was because, there has to be at least something for the napa valley residents, I am NOT saying that everything needs to be changed, what I am saying is that the only thing there is for us the Napa Valley residents is going bowling, or farmers market, and the rest cost a lot! PLEASE AT LEAST SOMETHING FOR THE NAPA VALLEY RESIDENTS! "

Fedupinnapa wrote on Nov 13, 2008 8:23 PM:

" Something for the locals! What exactly are you looking for? The only recommendations I have seen are a roller rink. That is about as strong of a business model as Copia. Spend some time looking around and find me a financially successful roller rink. They are going out of business too. ESPN zone? Even metropolitan markets struggle to support these businesses and you complain about our money going to Copia and then donate it to a mega corporation. How many of you shop at Safeway instead of Vallergas or buy your plants at Home depot instead of Van Winden's or DJ's . Before you start complaining about something for the locals why not support some of our local businesses. "

David j. Ingraham wrote on Nov 13, 2008 9:37 PM:

" Sell it to a local tribe and turn it into a casino combo winery, Flamingo Hotel like ball room, with headliner performances. convention center, and restaurant. "

noblindershere wrote on Nov 13, 2008 9:44 PM:

" Sad to see Copia go...A community Arts Center sounds great. I will say the rent that people had to pay was a bit pricey for an event, but my family has enjoyed the gardens over the years. A Community Arts Center would be for the locals and especially kids.
So tired of people saying there is nothing for kids to do in Napa, there is plenty to do. Several sports programs, 4H, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Gymnastics, ballet, music classes, art classes, karate, leadership classes, school activities, Parks and Rec classes, babysitting, hiking, pb&j's, rock climbing, swimming, several great athletic fields, skate parks, I could go on. If your child is bored in Napa there is something wrong with how you are raising your child.
Tired of people also saying that this community is geared toward tourist. How many people are employed in the Valley due to tourism, tons. From the landscaper, home builder, roofer, wine room worker, label designer, web page designer, accountant, banker, lawyer, teacher, nurse, docter, electrician, farmer, laborer, boutique owner, housekeeper,dentist etc... If we didn't replace the industries that left our county like Sunsweet, Mare Island, Napa Pipe etc...Napa would be a ghost town. Industries have left this country not just Napa. We have developed this county to benefit from its natural resources and not pollute it with industries that put out tons of waste. I don't work in the Wine Industry and I have found a job with no problem, but its because of the wine industry that I have a job.
Figure it out people...Napa has to change just like other small towns. Be happy that we don't look like everyother town of 80,000 people-deserted.
Go to school, get a degree and find a good paying job in Napa-worked for me! "

sharpshooter wrote on Nov 13, 2008 10:01 PM:

" Maybe another Target or a Super Walmart.
Better yet, knock it down and plant grapes "

napagirl69 wrote on Nov 14, 2008 1:34 AM:

" I knew alot of people that worked at Copia from the beginning that have gone on to bigger and better things. Copia management asked the community to buy into Copia then snubbed them and tried get to a world wide audience. In downtown SF this might have worked. In little Napa, obviously a failure. Alot of hard work gone down the drain. Go and look at this property now. It has really delapitated in just 8 years. It is uninviting and obviously unkept and dirty. Another example of high salaried management getting theirs. The average worker's salaries there are among the lowest for their positions in Northern California. Most of the former employee's I've talked to miss it, but are glad they have gone on. A good idea mismanaged badly through the years. Complain about Harry Martin of the Sentinal all you want, but he was right from the beginning. Too bad about the Mustard Festival Marketplace not being held there. Whomever inherits the Napa Farmer's Market however, will find a monster in that venue. Copia management has stated that it costs about $10,000 per year in support of that enterprise giving them free access to parking lot, restrooms, and Maintenance support, and nothing but complaints from the Farmers Market head management. Must be a reason the City of Napa ran that group out of the Chef's Market management. Copia has been like that though, lots of great events but poorly managed and not gotten enough return to stay viable. I'm told by current staff that it will take hundreds of thousands of dollars or more to fix all the broken machinery and other maintenance items at Copia to attract a buyer. Too bad. It was a great idea so poorly managed. "

plumbline wrote on Nov 14, 2008 8:06 AM:

" It would be great to see more things for kids in Napa but for all of you complaining about the lack of "locals only" attractions you just gotta get over it. Like it or not Napa IS about tourism. Just like Aspen or Maui. Cater to much to locals and guess what happens? Locals don't show up. And there just are not enough locals to fully support a Copia. I believe they failed because they did not attract enough people from outside Napa.

Copia was great. I took my kids there all the time. We went to concerts and events... I don't really know what happened and Im not sure i want to know but I for one am sad to see it fail.

Napa must become a tourist destination or it will become a ghost town. "

JimClark wrote on Nov 14, 2008 9:31 AM:

" As I have said many times before, Cornucopia should have been constructed near or on Mondavi properties in Oakville as it was not part of the REAL historical Napa versus the Napa valley. Apparently Oakville was more sophisticated for a Cornucopia.
Compare the "art center" in Davis to what appears to be a reclaimed parking garage on First Street in Napa City. Cornucopia may have been ahead of its time or, unacceptable to the tourist trade.
Predictably, another attempt to convert our city into another Napa valley theme park was an abject failure at is inception. This is the culmination of a conglomeration of non-Napans having taken control over our rural community. Who elected and employed them?

Some of the real “old” Napa was destroyed in our recent past. Where are the Gray stone buildings on Main Street? Answer; a parking lot for the defunct Mervyn’s store. Napa will not become a ghost town. Napans can still save what remains. Look at the neighborhoods to the south of the city. Some suffer the ravages of government intervention and others have renovated and retained the history of what our home town once was. We can do this again without destroying Napa’s beneficial history. "

concerned citizen wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:13 AM:

" Hey, Napabob! I visited Copia on several occasions; taking part in the various offerings, tastings, movies, and other aspects. I still will not miss it. There is no real "there" there. It is massive and empty feeling; cavernous and behemoth. And, mainly, Copia was created to project a particular image; it did not evolve naturally; it was slammed in and presented to the public as if it were the end all answer to the interests of wine valley tourists.

It is neither; Copia has not lived up to any of the expectations because it is a poorly designed and badly developed monstrosity...no history, no soul, no class and too much nonsense.

I won't miss it.

Bring on something REAL for Napa! "

greenapa wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:23 AM:

" Having Copia share its facilities with a conference center is a great idea. It will keep its presence by bringing lots of people and money into the area. Conference visitors will walk all around napa and spend money. it could be worked out that some of the taxes from tourist money could fund youth programming in napa which is sorely needed. "

napawatch wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:34 AM:

" Jobs, jobs, jobs! This is what we need to create for our local residents, not skating rinks or art centers, but something that will create good paying and sustainable jobs. I really like the idea of a convention center. The Bay Area is always in need of new venues. Like it or not, we need to attract people to our city to spend their money so we can boost our local economy. Even some cities smaller than our valley hosts convention centers. We would have much to offer convention guests and they would have much to offer us in terms of jobs and tax revenues. "

JustAnotherManicMonday wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:40 AM:

" Guys.... let's go back to 10 years ago and basic real estate.... LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!!!! The copia planners got snookered in by old Mayor Ed and council members, who were bending over backwards and giving away the store, to come to downtown Napa. The plans looked fabulous on paper, great drawings around the bend of the River, nice building design. HOWEVER tourists... the tourists are driving in their CARS (NOT rail or taxi or buses as they thought) and need visuals. Having a billboard doesn't cut it. The location for copia SHOULD HAVE been on Highway 29, mid to upvalley, between Rutherford and St. Helena, where the tourists are driving by in their cars. NOT in sleepy, flooded, sandbagged, sad, downtown Napa. Nice idea, nice building, but you can only do so much with a bad location. Best bet is to sell it. Now with the economy tanking, I can see the Ritz Carlton pulling out and other hotels, so if they can't sell it they'll need to default on those loans and bonds. "

prunepicker1960 wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:53 AM:

" last word?? Good.. true Napans are still boycotting that Copia place, and are still waiting for a public apology to the Town of Napa for the people they rendered homeless when they decided which neighborhood housing to tear down and which houses were not pretty enough and also an apology to the local businesses that were haulted because-- just because -- they were not pretty enough to be adjacent to the Napa River shangrala. Please. Who knew this was coming -- Napans did. "

mafi wrote on Nov 14, 2008 11:53 AM:

" I admit, I'm a Napa resident and have no idea what Copia really is.(ecpet farmers mkt and the animals).- sounds like really bad marketing..
I agree a community Arts center would be great- we do need more arts for children in this town- seriously. Gallo in Modesto funded a Major community arts center- revitalized the whole downtown. by day it's for locals, by night, the big $ comes out. I think there's a win, win here, but where will the funds come from.. "

Dazzel wrote on Nov 14, 2008 12:26 PM:

" Sad! The idea was good, the location is greeat, but the building was always wrong. the auditorium\stage is too small for any thing moree than a food lecture and slide show. Not even a 3 person ballet could happen on the cement - floor ity bity stage.
Cement cement everywhere.
Julia's kitchen started out with all the charm of a garage. On no you can not do take out. You have to eat theere, whare ther is no there.
Looking at the garden- behind big cement pillars.
The river-the wonderful river. Any sane architect would have faced the restaurant toward the river. May not be to lat tohave a 'dock side' grill . ell the whole building is backward. good luck Garry McGuire "

napaoldguy wrote on Nov 14, 2008 12:37 PM:

" I really don't think that the wine indust will hurt at all losing Copia What about makining First street two way so that people can find their way. A straight shot down town from the freeway imagine that. It doesn't have to be a skating rink, but it could be something for Napa. What about a concert hall. We could have small concerts or comedians or something we can do. Tourist come to see the wineries,isn't that enough for them. Let's do something for NAPA RESIDENTS. Why do we have to leave town to have fun.
A hoeless shelter would just bring more homelless to Napa if we keep giving to them. "

plumbline wrote on Nov 14, 2008 3:09 PM:

" How interesting to note that Copia gets the most attention when it's in trouble. Comments posted seem to indicate that Copia was primarily perceived by locals as a tourist attraction rather than a wonderful resource for our community, and that perception has been largely born out if not bolstered by the kind of coverage the institution has received over the years in local papers.

Shame on you, shame on us for not finding ways to support and encourage the growth and development of this special place. Perhaps we should all take a long hard look at that fact and then figure out how to do a better job moving forward before we lose any more special places in the Napa Valley. "

littlered56 wrote on Nov 14, 2008 9:10 PM:

" A perfect place for a rehab/homeless shelter..plant the 12 acers in grapes, lease the grapes to a winery and use that incime ti support the shelter. Finally a perfect chance for the city of Napa to do something for the poor homeless people in Napa....I hope every church in Napa calles upon the city council to buy this property and make it a safe place for homeless people. I mean ,if they really care about the poor homeless. . . . . "

glenroy wrote on Nov 14, 2008 10:37 PM:

" I agree with prune picker and Dwayne....good riddance.... "

Winefan wrote on Nov 15, 2008 2:41 AM:

" I am reading all your comments and half of you are complaining about everything: COPIA, lack of community friendliness, snobism, hatred towards tourists and investors, economic slowdown. Wake up! What do you want? I am puzzled. Beside the local genius, creativity and quality the locals and region have to offer, tourists and investments have also contributed to the Napa Valley's development into one of the most amazing sites in the world. They have created jobs and indirectly supported the community. If you are angry at COPIA's management, blame it on the ones who made it fail, not on the ones who are trying to fix it right now with all their sweat. One of you suggested COPIA is no fun, maybe you should have made an effort to attend events and participate in classes. If you feel frustration towards the ideas which COPIA has been promoting, i.e. wine, gastronomy and arts, I recommend it is a waste of your time and energy to post comments about this article. I am a fan of Copia and am glad that its mission will continue. "

gxnapasteve wrote on Nov 15, 2008 11:37 PM:

" maybe they could turn it into some more grapeworker housing or a homless shelter.. Or have the next AIG bash there?? "

nhs67rules wrote on Nov 16, 2008 1:05 AM:

" I hereby predict that the Ritz Carlton will never be built. "

ADark1 wrote on Nov 16, 2008 1:30 PM:

" Seeing that they are going to sell, can I have back in cash all the things I as a homeowner was FORCED to sacrifice .

I would think its ONLY fair seeing the council shushed all of us who fought its building on our backs and pockets! "

JustAnotherManicMonday wrote on Nov 19, 2008 11:02 PM:

" I also see the Ritz Carlton pulling out and blaming the economy (which is a very good reason). It will be the economy, not the failure and collapse of copia, that will cause the hotels to leave town. Maybe the council will stop brown nosing the out of towners and finally concentrate and court the locals. What a concept. "

NapaCountyRez wrote on Nov 20, 2008 2:23 PM:

" I can't believe the comments on here. Copia is a gem. We live up valley but make it there just about every weekend. For those who say it's not for locals, you are sadly mistaken. My family (including two young children) never gets tired of exploring their gardens, then getting something to eat at Oxbow afterwards. There is no place like it. It's serene, peaceful, and gives people a sense of nature in the middle of downtown Napa. I've stomped on wine grapes in a barrel, purchased art at a festival, and have made lasting family memories--all at Copia.

All year the admission was free. What do you other locals have to complain about now? You could have had a lovely family outing at no charge. You could have sampled fresh mulberries right off the tree. Sat on the lawn and watched your children play on the stage. You never gave it a chance. Shame on you. The rest of us who really "got it" will always have fond memories of Copia. "

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