Mod to UP - Tessora - Withdrawn - 2010~essora's ~jarra c~i ~ino
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4 _ ~_
~ 8T5 S• Bascom /-1~ve. Suite 560
CamPbdl, C/~ 95008
City of Campbell Planning Commission,
Campbell, CA
Apri121, 2010
Dear Honorable Commissioners,
RECEIVED
APR 2,2.2010
CITY OF CAMPBELL
PLANNING DEPT.
We are requesting a modification to our previous use permit for Tessora's Barra di Vino at Pruneyazd
Shopping Center, 1875 S. Bascom Ave. Campbell, CA.
Summary:
Tessora's wine baz and shop has now been operating in the Pruneyard Shopping Center for nearly a year
and a half. With this application we are requesting that the City approve a small expansion of 152 square
feet to our outside patio area. We are also requesting an approval to have live entertainment (light jazz
and blues music) 3 sessions a week, on weekends, not to exceed 4 hours per session. The proposed
changes will be a point of amaction for the City downtown and an enhancement to what Pruneyard has to
offer to bring customers to Campbell.
Discussion:
As you aze certainly aware, when my wife Carol Pouya and I started this business in January of 2009, the
country was in the midst of a unprecedented recession which to this day still continues. Despite the odds,
we have managed to keep our heads above water by hard work and injecting our life savings into the
business. We have also gained considerable amount of knowledge during the past year as who our typical
customers are and what they would like to see, taste, or do in a wine baz. We have come to the realization
that this type of business is highly competitive, and in order to keep an edge, we must provide the
customers with much better service and go above what others offer.
So far, we have narrowed our customers' interest, which will elevate our business into three areas.
1. Providing them with the best variety of wines and appetizers that changes frequently with the
seasons or occasions.
2. Providing a slightly larger outside patio area since the outdoor seating is preferable for many of
our customers.
3. Providing light entertainment within our designated lease area on weekends so that our
customers enjoyment is enhanced.
We have also adjusted our operating hours to allow our patrons visit us towards the end of their work day
and into the evening as follows:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday through Thursday 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Friday and Saturday 3:00 pm to 12:00 am
Sunday: 2:00 pm to 7pm
Although our basic plan to sell fine wine paired with appropriate appetizers has not changed, our strategy
to conduct the business needs to change somewhat in order to stay competitive and accommodate our
customers who demand relaxation and enjoyment while at our shop or bar. As we have researched
similar businesses in the Bay Area, we have found that light entertainment is offered at most other wine
bars. Not being able to offer similar venues will certainly put our struggling business at a disadvantage.
With this application, we request that individual musicians or a small band be allowed to perform within
the shop area during most of the year, and within the outside patio area during the Summer months. On
the weekend nights (Friday and Saturday) the music will start past 8:00 pm when most other businesses in
the Pruneyard Shopping Center are closed and parking is more available. Sundays music is proposed to
be on an alternating schedule(every other Sunday) to start at 3:00 pm and end at 7:00 pm.
We believe the increased patio area and the music will be an attractive feature for the Center as well as
the City of Campbell. We also believe that in these economic hard times, having a relatively inexpensive
pass time as a glass of wine, an appetizer, and some light entertainment is highly desirable for many
people.
We truly appreciate your time and effort in reviewing our application and request.
Sincerely,
Hamid and Carol Pouya
Tessora's Barra di Vino