On Saturday, July 23, the doors to Beltramo’s Wines & Spirits closed for good as the Beltramo family gave up the business it had run in Menlo Park since 1882, when Giovanni Beltramo started a wholesale and retail wine and spirits business.
Diana Beltramo Hewitt, Giovanni’s great-granddaughter, said last week that no public event was planned for the store’s closure. “I think we’re going to go out quietly,” she said.
Most of the store’s more than 20 employees have found new jobs, she said, with a couple taking some time off and at least one retiring. “Most of them are landing on their feet,” she said. “They’re real quality people and employees,” so she’s not surprised they are all finding exciting new opportunities, Ms. Beltramo Hewitt said.
Ms. Beltramo Hewitt said that the community has offered “overwhelming and outstanding support” through the closing of the store. People have come in with stories about everything from memories of patronizing the cocktail lounge that the family used to run alongside the store to memories of her grandfather. Former employees, business connections and “people who have been shopping with us through the generations” have stopped by, she said.
“It’s been lovely,” she said. “It’s nice to go out this way.”
Her dad and her uncle, who are both around 80, are ready to “retire and have more time in their day,” she said. “It’s been a good run. It’s OK to look forward to the next chapter.”
Ms. Beltramo Hewitt said she especially wanted to thank customers for their 134 years of patronage. “Without their patronage we wouldn’t be here,” she said. “We’re very blessed.”
A sale of the property is underway, but Ms. Beltramo Hewitt said she is not yet allowed to reveal the buyer.
