Merchants Wait While Williams-Sonoma Sits on Flagship Store

Williams-Sonoma has finally purchased its original downtown Sonoma location – earmarking the spot for a historic flagship store – but that doesn't mean that residents should expect opening day to come soon.

The upscale culinary retail outlet, which opened at 601 Broadway, in a small facility just off the Plaza, in 1956, has been negotiating a deal for months now to turn the property into a boutique home-base location.

But the seemingly simple deal has been met with complications. In January, Williams-Sonoma, which almost 300 stores around the country, met against a proposed ban on big-box stores within city limits.

The ban, limiting big-box chain stores within city limits, was prompted after that on West Napa Street. Merchants and residents stormed city council meetings to protest the office supply retailer's march into downtown, claiming the business would hurt local office suppliers and ruin the quaint, historic feel of downtown Sonoma. 

But in a Patch poll of respondents were in favor of the store taking on a downtown location, especially if the brand kept promises to keep the branch "historic" and "boutique."

After news that Williams-Sonoma had purchased the property, tenants of 601 Broadway – which include ,and the – are waiting for news of when they'll have to relocate.

The Sonoma Index-Tribune is reporting that the tenants won't be forced to relocate in the near future. According to business owners, Williams-Sonoma is keeping with the last owners lease agreements, which run through August with an option to renew for an additional year at that time.

As for Williams-Sonoma's new store, planning representatives are staying mum:

Rebecca Weill, director of public relations for Williams-Sonoma, declined to provide a timeline for when the company plans to develop the space. “While we’re very excited about coming back to our original location in Sonoma, there isn’t anything else to tell you at this juncture. It’s too early and none of the details are close to being finalized,” she said.