Issue date: November 17, 1999
By JANE KNOERLE
What a transformation. Menloville, a new boutique and grocery, opened two weeks ago at 1902 Valparaiso Ave. in West Menlo Park, site of the former Valparaiso Grocery, a landmark since the 1930s.
Now, instead of a mom and pop operation, the new Menloville is a "mom and mom" enterprise, selling cappuccinos and lattes, deli sandwiches from Max's Opera Cafe, and gourmet groceries.
The inviting exterior boasts paned windows and handsome bronze carriage lights; the interior is just as delightful.
"We've been talking about going into business together for at least two years," says Vernessia Craig, co-owner with Lisa Lovazzano. The two Portola Valley women were good friends long before they became business partners. Their sons Steven Lovazzano and Rodgerick Craig, 14, have been pals since they were 2 years old.
The partners say their venture wouldn't be possible without the help of Lisa's husband, Bruce Lovazzano, and his sons Gary and Bruce Jr. (BJ). The men did all the construction on the store and Lisa's husband is also their landlord. Vernessia's husband, 49er great Roger Craig, comes over every afternoon to sweep up and help with chores.
Menloville's interior is decorated with handsome antiques, most of which came from the Lovazzanos' home. "Everything's for sale in here, except the armoire," says Mrs. Lovazzano. Displays of pasta and sauces, a cart holding fresh tomatoes, olive oils and gourmet vinegars, and a fridge stocked with organic fruits, vie for space with cookbooks, aprons, and gorgeous hand-painted clocks. Journals by Bonnie Henry of Menlo Park occupy a special niche.
The old wooden refrigerator case, which belonged to the former owners, has been lovingly restored. The women scrubbed and polished all its hardware and their painter gave it a natural finish to blend with the shop's antiques.
The women, who opened the store only two weeks ago, are still stocking shelves and ordering merchandise. They have lots of plans for the future, including preparing their own food and carrying extensive take-out items. Right now, however, they're running over to Max's at Stanford Shopping Center every morning to pick up corned beef, pastrami, tuna, and veggie sandwiches.
As with any new venture, opening Menloville has had its glitches. While the women have learned how to make espressos and coffee drinks, they still can't figure out how to use the cash register. "We've been counting up the money with a calculator," says Mrs. Lovazzano. "We didn't know how much to charge for sodas, so we asked a customer what he usually paid for one," says Mrs. Craig with a laugh.
Their families have been supportive. Vernessia Craig's son Alexander, 8, told her, "Mom, you need to get a job."
She adds, "You can only do so much shopping and going out to lunch."
The Craigs have five children, including "Princess" Nia, age 3. The Lovazzanos have two children, Steven, 14, and Gabriella, 11.
Friends have been dropping by to wish them well, including Jennifer and Joe Montana, who live down the street, Jackie Rice and Bill Walsh.
Old-time patrons of the Valparaiso Grocery will still be able to pick up a quart of milk or a dozen eggs at Menloville. Neighborhood kids are happy the store continues to sell "penny" candy. "We've got penny candy for the kids, and $1.75 chocolate bars for their mothers," says Mrs. Lovazzano.
Business was good last week: mothers coming in with the kids for after-school snacks, truck drivers stopping by for a cold soda, well-dressed women picking up lattes "to go."
"Now we don't have to stand in line at Starbuck's" was one customer's comment.
Gwen Solomon, who lives a couple of blocks away, told the owners, "It's so nice to have a classy place like this in the neighborhood."
Adds Mrs. Lovazzano, "People come in and look around and say, Wow!"
Along with gourmet groceries, Menloville sells beer and wine, including $150 bottles of vintage champagne ordered for millennium celebrations. "We even have crystal flutes to go with the champagne," says Mrs. Lovazzano.
Enthusiastic about their venture, Vernessia Craig sums up the new owners' attitude: "We're going to have fun with this. If we're going to work 12 hours a day, we better be able to have some laughs."
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