Piedmont couple snapping up Sonoma properties

In less than a year, Piedmont natives Stacy and Ken Mattson have snapped up six notable commercial and residential properties in Sonoma Valley in deals totaling almost $10 million, including Sonoma's Best, Boyes Springs Food Center, two houses on the East Side and property on Moon Mountain at Highway 12.

After coming to Sonoma for years as tourists, last fall the Mattsons became interested in the controversial Moon Mountain property that was blighted by two abandoned houses. They soon began to seek out other properties in town that they believe are undervalued and hold high potential.

Married for 27 years, Ken and Stacy are partnering in these projects, with occasional help from their children, now 25, 24, 23 and 21. Their youngest daughter has been working at Sonoma's Best all summer.

Spending so much money so quickly begs the question of how the Mattsons made their fortune. Ken laughed when asked and explained that he's an entirely self-made man.

'I graduated from Cal with a grand total of $400 in my pocket,' he said.

He grew up in Rancho Cordova, and Stacy in Fairfield. Ken has worked in the financial services industry for 35 years, most recently as a financial planner. He is in his 50s and Stacy in her 40s.

The Mattsons weekend house in Sonoma is a Craftsman bungalow on East Napa Street which they have described as too small for their large family, and they have said they plan to use one of the Moon Mountain houses they build as their primary Sonoma residence.

They are not sure in what order they will be tackling the six projects, according to Ken. 'But we are working closely with (Supervisor) Susan Gorin and her staff to understand what the County wants and expects.'

The Boyes Springs Food Center property will be completely remodeled, in keeping with the other major improvements planned for the Springs. 'That's what the county wants to see,' said Ken.

The property currently has some affordable housing attached to the retail storefront and Ken plans to continue to offer affordable units there, or in equal number elsewhere. The property will continue to be a mix of retail and housing, but 'up a notch,' said Stacy. 'We would love for Boyes Market to appeal to both the neighborhood and to guests at Sonoma Mission Inn.'

The Lanning Structures property is located a block north of the Boyes market, on the other side of Barking Dog Roasters. It's a quarter-acre lot with four structures – and Ken mentioned that he would be interested in buying the properties on either side. He's waiting in part to see what Sonoma Mission Inn does with the old Big 3 Diner building across the street. 'It's my understanding that they may tear it down to build underground parking,' he said.

'I think there will be continued and growing financial commitments to the Springs which will perpetuate the gentrification process,' said Ken. 'But, I'm hoping the character remains in place. I think that a large part of the appeal to the Springs is the 'unfiltered' character of the area.'

Currently, some of his employees have moved into the residential units on the Lanning property. The Mattsons are very aware of Sonoma's need for more affordable housing. 'The restrictive policies on development are part of why Sonoma has a housing problem,' said Ken.

Ken said the front building will continue to be leased out, but in the long term he expects to take down the buildings on the property and for the frontage space to house a store or a restaurant.

Stacy's pet project, Sonoma's Best, is getting a makeover with white paint and black trim, a new logo and new signage. Stacy attended the Academy of Art of San Francisco and said, 'The design stages of each project, that's the part I like best, and where my expertise lies.' The inside will see changes over the coming months.

The name will, however, remain the same.

'We're excited to offer new products including more local products,' said Stacy. And the Mattsons are talking to the county about staying open later in the summer, at least until dark. The cottages will continue to be offered as accommodation.

The Mattsons' big-picture plan for Sonoma's Best is to take advantage of its location at the head of the much-anticipated bike trail that will someday run from Eighth Street East all the way up to Santa Rosa.

'We're working with the County to make the bike trail a reality from the store through the Springs as quickly as possible,' said Ken. 'You'll be able to park your bike safely at Sonoma's Best, or your car across the street, and bike into town – stop to eat, visit places in the Springs and make a complete day of it.'

Right now, the bike trail officially ends at Fourth Street East. Bikes can continue on Lovall Valley Road another three blocks. From Lovall Valley, diagonally through the Sonoma's Best property to Eighth and Napa Street, on a dirt path easement where train tracks used to be.

The Mattsons have also acquired and will tear down the house behind Sonoma's Best at 1200 Apple Tree Court as a means of improving access to the bike path and adding parking. It will also give them to option to expand or reposition the cottages.

When asked to confirm whether more acquisitions are in the works, the Mattsons demurred to provide details, but Ken said, 'if we see other opportunities we'll certainly be exploring them.'

Email Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.