SLO shop closed after 5 years of wine tasting, art bars and food trucks. This is why
Five years after opening at a former San Luis Obispo gas station, The Station wine shop and tasting room has closed.
The shop featured many Central Coast and specialty wines at its 311 Higuera St. location, just outside of downtown San Luis Obispo.
Kimberly Walker, the business’ co-owner, who also partners in the Granada Hotel & Bistro in San Luis Obispo, said the shop shut its doors because its five-year lease was up.
In addition, Walker said, the ownership group is turning its focus to other hotel-related ventures in northern Santa Barbara County.
“We decided as a company to focus on our SkyView (boutique motel) in Los Alamos and a new hotel project we’re doing in Santa Ynez,” Walker said. “We loved The Station. We loved the art bar. But there are plenty of other cool places, like The Rock, and events around SLO for people to enjoy.”
The Station’s last day was Jan. 31. A “For Lease” sign is now posted outside the building.
The building’s owner, Brian Espy, told The Tribune that he’s not ready to announce the next steps for the commercial space. Before The Station opened on Higuera Street, Espy had to retrofit the building and remove old gas tanks that once served the site.
Espy operates Doghouse Promotions, a promotional products company located next door.
Catering to young professionals and art enthusiasts, The Station hosted events that included wine, food and cultural activities.
Art bars, food truck stops and clothing swaps were common occurrences. In addition, Latin dance teachers Liliana and Michael Graham hosted salsa dancing events at The Station every other Saturday.
The Station focused on small-production wines that sold for $10 to $30 a bottle, in addition to a variety of goods including Dart Coffee Beans and Root Elixirs sodas, small-batch bitters and shrubs.
This story was originally published February 3, 2020 at 12:54 PM.
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