Exterior changes, new stores headed to Montgomery Village

It’s been nearly three years since Boston-based WS Development purchased the open-air Santa Rosa shopping center Montgomery Village and it is safe to say the property has gone through an overhaul since then.

Over the last year, Montgomery Village has been working on giving the shopping complex a fresh coat of paint, updated lighting fixtures and more courtyard gathering areas for families.

The final renovations on the shopping center’s south side are expected to be completed in time for the holiday season.

In addition to the renovations, the shopping center has said goodbye to many longtime, classic retailers such as Classic Duck, Cattlemens and Clutch that closed or moved to other locations throughout Sonoma County. (Cattlemens moved to Rohnert Park and Clutch moved to continue operating out of its location in Tucson, Arizona.)

But the shopping center has also welcomed national and local brands over the last year as well. On the local side, Punch Clothing and child’s clothing boutique Cupcake migrated from longtime locations in downtown Santa Rosa to Montgomery Village while Rust Boutique from Sebastopol opened a second temporary storefront last holiday season.

Among the changes also comes new general manager, Kris Miller, who started a couple of months ago after a long career in the Sonoma County hospitality industry.

"We are thrilled to unveil the new and revitalized community gathering spaces in addition to a lineup of incredible local and beloved national businesses joining The Village," Miller said in a news release. "Our goal is to create a go-to space for the community to gather, socialize, and relax, so it's been really inspiring to engage with our guests and learn about what they want most so that we can implement that into the development."

Three new retailers on the way

The shopping center will welcome three new brands in 2025, according to a news release. The new stores include luxury beauty retailer Bluemercury, facial bar FACE FOUNDRIÉ and fast-casual sandwich and salad chain Mendocino Farms.

These would be the first Sonoma County locations for all three businesses. Mendocino Farms has one North Bay eatery already in Vacaville.

Bluemercury is a luxury beauty retailer known for its inventory of high-end makeup, skin care, hair care and fragrance products. The company was founded in 1999 and has over 170 locations across the country. Some locations also have an in-store spa that offers facials and brow-styling for customers.

The second retailer, FACE FOUNDRIÉ, is a skin care bar that focuses on facials, lashes, brows and other skin care services. Its next closest location is in San Francisco.

FACE FOUNDRIÉ was started by founder and CEO Michele Henry in 2019 with an emphasis on making facials, lash extensions and other facial services quick, accessible and affordable.

The first location opened in Edina, Minnesota, with Henry’s vision of the business being a franchise concept. The brand currently has 43 locations throughout the country with plans to open at least 60 stores by the end of this year.

Fast-casual salad and sandwich spot Mendocino Farms opened its first location in downtown L.A. in 2005 and has since grown to more than 50 locations and more are planned.

“We’re looking forward to bringing our fresh, flavorful sandwiches, salads and more to Montgomery Village in 2025,” Kevin Miles, CEO of Mendocino Farms, said in a news release. “With this first location in Sonoma County, we’re excited to serve as a gathering place where friends and families can connect over the joys of high-quality food.”

Bluemercury and FACE FOUNDRIÉ will be in storefronts near Sur La Table, Amour Vert and Shake Shack. Mendocino Farms will be in the newly upgraded Courtyard space.

“We will continue to grow our list of exceptional tenants as we head into 2025,” Miller said via email.

New walkways, renovated courtyard

Montgomery Village management has sought to renovate and update the 70-year-old shopping center ever since WS purchased the property on June 7, 2021.

In addition to fresh paint and the renovation of its courtyards, the shopping center added numerous seating options, a children’s play area and dog relief area along with other landscape and hardscape improvements.

The Courtyard is still undergoing renovations, but is expected to be complete by the end of the year, Miller said in a news release.

This area has become an event space as well, hosting community events such as guided yoga, meditation and HIIT workouts for its Wellness Weekends, live music from Bay Area musicians for its Fete de la Musique events, and holiday Weekend Santa Sightings at the end of the year.

Another major project was the installation of The Passage, a covered walkway that connects the property’s north and south ends while also creating more public space and additional storefront space.

The cost of the renovations was not disclosed.

You can reach Staff Writer Sara Edwards at 707-521-5487 or sara.edwards@pressdemocrat. com. On Twitter @sedwards380.