Is Copia’s building for sale?

<p>A report is circulating that Copia, the beleaguered center for wine, food and art in downtown Napa, plans to sell its building by the end of the year, then either lease back part of the space or move into smaller quarters.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>That report by wine writer Paul Franson appeared earlier this week in the online edition of Wines & Vines, a monthly trade magazine for the wine industry based in San Rafael.</p><p>However, when Copia CEO Garry McGuire was reached in New York by e-mail on Wednesday, he declined to comment on the report that the building is up for sale or that Copia will not schedule any events for other organizations, such as the annual Mustard Festival Marketplace and the weekly farmers market, after Dec. 31.</p><p>McGuire did confirm that the center is trying to address its massive debt while repositioning itself on a national level.</p><p>“Copia is actively working to improve our business fundamentals, responsibly address our $78 million debt, and position Copia to be a national leader in consumer food and wine,” he wrote. “This process involves looking at every aspect of our business for improvement and long-term value.”</p><p>As previously reported in The Press Democrat, McGuire plans to expand Copia’s reach by opening a satellite campus in San Francisco.</p><p>According to McGuire, that won’t preclude the center from keeping a home base in the Napa Valley, where Copia was launched with generous support from the late Robert Mondavi.</p><p>“Our intent is to always operate a Napa Valley campus as well as expand to San Francisco,” McGuire said in his e-mail.</p>