Commission approves Overland Sheepskin Co. use permit for plaza storefront

The Sonoma City Planning Commission voted unanimously July 16 to approve a use permit for Overland Sheepskin Company to occupy Suite A at 452 1st Street East (the Mercado) and operate a 2,000‑square‑foot formula business storefront.

Associate Planner Jacob Dunn summarized staff’s review, stating the proposed interior improvements preserve the building’s historic façade, promote ground‑floor retail and comply with zoning and overlay standards. Dunn noted the firm qualifies as a formula business because it has 10 or more substantially identical stores nationwide and that signage will be handled through an administrative sign permit.

Applicant Cody Phipps described Overland as a family‑run, tourist‑focused retailer with about 22 locations concentrated in tourism destinations. "When we looked at our owner's wishes, he has a wish list of cities that he loves, and Sonoma is one of them," Phipps said, adding the company plans to staff the store locally and ship purchases to customers’ homes.

Commissioners asked about overlap with an existing Napa location and signage design. Phipps said Sonoma’s plaza market differs from Napa and that the brand customizes storefront treatment to communities; staff confirmed a sign package was included with the narrative and that standard administrative review will apply.

A motion to approve the use permit carried unanimously on roll call. The applicant said possession is set for Sept. 1 and interior work would take roughly six to eight weeks, putting a likely opening before Thanksgiving.