Napa, CA (January 13, 2020) – Visit Napa Valley’s official Napa Valley Welcome Center will open in First Street Napa in the Fall of 2020. Buildout is underway on the new 2,550 square-foot visitor center that will be located adjacent to Makers Market and across from the Mayacamas Downtown tasting room.
“The diversity of shops, restaurants and amenities make First Street Napa a must-visit stop for any Napa Valley trip. Now, with the addition of the Napa Valley Welcome Center, it will become an even more natural starting place to explore all the region has to offer,” said Todd Zapolski, principal and managing member, First Street Napa. “Visit Napa Valley has created this exceptional asset for tourists and business travelers, and we look forward to working with them to warmly welcome visitors.”
Since first opening at the Napa Riverfront in 2011, the Napa Valley Welcome Center, which is managed by Visit Napa Valley, has welcomed more than one million visitors. More than 80 volunteers and five staff members collectively speak more than ten languages and provide local expertise, as well as complimentary concierge services, maps, magazines, and other collateral materials. The Mercantile retail shop features locally crafted gift items as well unique home décor.
“We’re excited to have the Napa Valley Welcome Center be an integral part of First Street Napa – making this valuable resource more accessible for both visitors and local residents,” said Linsey Gallagher, president and CEO, Visit Napa Valley. “The Welcome Center is often the first stop for many visitors who are either unfamiliar with the Napa Valley or for those seeking new and unique experiences. It’s also extremely beneficial for locals who are planning itineraries for visiting friends or family, or just wishing to explore their own backyard.”
The Napa Valley Welcome Center, which is open daily, 360 days a year, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., also offers a public restroom and is pet friendly. With the move will come improvements to the Center’s offerings designed to inform and motivate visitors to explore all parts of Napa Valley. Given that the Welcome Center is a resource for travelers and locals alike, new experiential, education and technology-driven offerings are intended to enhance the region’s position as both an attractive travel destination and a dynamic place to live and work for all who visit the Napa Valley Welcome Center. During Cabernet Season, which takes place November through April, wine tastings are offered Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring select wineries from the Napa Valley. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the featured wines, meet the wine educators, and learn more about the winery.
“The opportunity to engage and communicate directly with more visitors was the ultimate factor for our Visit Napa Valley board in making the decision to relocate,” said Gallagher. She added, “We gave this a lot of thought and we are confident this is the right move, to the right location, at the right time, and it will pay off by getting more people to explore all regions of the Napa Valley.”
Located between Franklin and Coombs on the north side of 1st Street, First Street Napa is home to Archer Hotel Napa, Brown Estate Wines, Charlie Palmer Steak Napa, Compass Realty, Compline wine bar + restaurant, CYCLESOCIETY, Eiko’s Sushi, John Anthony Family of Wines, Kalifornia Jean Bar, lululemon, Macbella, Makers Market, Mayacamas Downtown, Mecox, Napastäk Napa Valley, Napa Valley Jewelers, Overland, Silicon Valley Bank, Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar, State & First by Maris Collective, Tommy Bahama and Toy B Ville.
About First Street Napa
First Street Napa is a 325,000-square-foot mixed-use development located in the heart of Downtown Napa. Spanning three city blocks, First Street Napa features fashion and specialty retailers, innovative restaurants and wine bars, creative office space, and Archer Hotel Napa, the tallest building in Napa Valley with 183 guestrooms and 39 balcony-clad suites. Catering to the local Napa community and visitors alike, First Street Napa invites people to shop, dine, relax, work, and indulge in an environment complete with exceptional landscaping, living walls, seating areas, amenities, and locally curated art and design. First Street Napa’s retail, agrarian landscaping, approachable dining, and wine country charm make this destination unmistakably Napa.
About Visit Napa Valley
Visit Napa Valley is the official destination management organization for the Napa Valley, with a mission to promote, protect and enhance the region’s position as an attractive travel destination and enhance its public image as a dynamic place to visit, live and work. The Napa Valley, conveniently located just an hour from the San Francisco Bay Area, consists of the following distinctive towns, including, from north to south, Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford/Oakville, Yountville, the city of Napa, American Canyon, and the outdoor recreation area of Lake Berryessa.
