New ownership of Montgomery Village
One of Montgomery Village’s new additions, Gorjana prepares for opening. (Photo: Caroline Cooper, The Puma Prensa
By Caroline Cooper, staff writer
Owned and operated by the Codding Family since 1950, Montgomery Village has been a staple of Sonoma County retail shopping, dining, and entertainment for decades. However, the ownership changed in June of 2021, when east coast corporation WS Development completed a deal with the Coddings to purchase the 280,000 square foot outdoor shopping center. Despite WS being one of the largest development firms in the country, Montgomery Village is the first west coast acquisition made by WS Development who, according to their website, handle all aspects of the commercial development process, from investment and leasing to marketing and brand partnership. Now, after months of infrastructure improvements being made to the property, rumors are swirling concerning which new businesses will be joining the village for Maria Carrillo students and all of Santa Rosa residents to enjoy. Montgomery Village is on the up and up, catering to younger visitors such as Maria Carrillo High School students, after previously being more focused towards older groups.
With new ownership comes a new, more modern approach to Montgomery Village’s makeup of mstores and restaurants. While the shopping center has historically consisted of mostly local and regional businesses, WS Development has already outlined the arrival of multiple large scale, national retailers, one of which being Gorjana. Set to open this summer, the Southern California jewelry boutique is popular among shoppers of all ages. It is openings such as this that continue to mark Montgomery Village’s shift from an older demographic towards a focus on all age groups, just as the addition of Lululemon, a popular athletic clothing shop, did back in 2017.
But, not all changes to the shopping center have been necessarily positive. Decades long fan favorites Cattleman’s and Round Table Pizza have departed from their previous locations, a decision that had been controversial among many regulars. But, according to signage popping up around Montgomery Village—“Things are shaking up at The Village. Burgers and fries are coming soon”—a new replacement is imminent. It has been announced the arrival will be nationally popular burger joint Shake Shack, yet another addition aimed at modernizing Montgomery Village that many are excited about.
No matter how controversial these additions may be with some, prior to the WS Development acquisition, students at MCHS noticed that Montgomery Village needed change. MCHS senior Katya Zyrianov said, “I do go to Montgomery Village often, I find that I only go there for specific shops that interest me as well as my age group like Lululemon, Sonoma Bagel, or Zen Nails. Stores that would make me go more would be well known clothing stores.” Senior Haven Koehler stated, “I think that adding more name brand stores and restaurants would make me go to the center more often because I am more familiar with those places.” While it is undeniable that the Village’s sentimental trinket shops and outdated clothing stores hold a dear place in the hearts of many shoppers, the continued success of the shopping center had become dependent on the incorporation of popular brand name shops and restaurants, something that WS Development recognized and is putting into action.
As new shops are continuing to be announced, Montgomery Village is almost sure to be a hot spot in the coming years. As the old nostalgic shops will be missed, this renovation and new modernized shopping center is just what Santa Rosa has been lacking.