Strictly Business: Sonoma business news, July 27

Open: The Bedrock Wine Company tasting room in the old Hooker House is now open. At this time, however, it is only open by appointment, from Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check the website for complete info at www.bedrockwineco.com.

Expansion: Amy Bess, founder of Women Owned Wineries, has expanded the organization's woman-owned directory nationwide to now include more than 530 listings. She will also be announcing the first club shipment of WOW wines this week. Learn more at www.wowsonoma.com.

Moving: Libby Oberlin's Theater School and its Black Box Theater, formerly located at the corner of West Napa Street and Sonoma Highway, is moving after 3 1/2 years to the 100-seat Rotary Stage in Andrews Hall of the Sonoma Community Center.

Anniversary: Plaza Sweet Scoops ice cream shop opened its doors in July 2015, and to celebrate its anniversary, owners Ramie and Joe Hencmann celebrated on July 25 by handing out $1 Tiny Scoops.

New hire: United Way of the Wine Country has hired Lisa G. Carreño as its new president and CEO. Carreño joins United Way on Aug. 20 from 10,000 Degrees where she served as its regional director. Carreno has 20 years of community and nonprofit leadership experience. In its 50th year, Carreño becomes the first woman and first Latino to lead the organization.

Carneros Inn: Carneros Resort and Spa has completed a $3.5 million renovation of its 6,000 square foot spa, and it reopened last week. The Spa is reserved for resort guests only, however. Carneros Resort and Spa is situated on 28 acres with 100 cottages, suites and private homes. www.carnerosresort.com.

New hire: John Bast has recently joined Homebridge Financial Services, Inc. in its Napa branch as a reverse mortgage specialist. A graduate of Sonoma State University, he has lived in Sonoma since 1976. Homebridge has more than 2,500 associates in 200 offices, and funded more than $13 billion in home loans in 2017.

Departure: Kat Romaine has announced that she will be giving up her up Plaza space down the alley by the Chocolate Cow and is closing the retail presence of Kats Meow Sonoma after 2 1/2 years. She and her husband are headed to Europe. She will continue to do pet portrait commissions. Contact her at katromine@gmail.com. Schug Cellars has been sharing her space at 452 First St. East, suite E, and they will continue on in the space.

New hire: Hanna Boys Center has hired Andrew Pitt as its new director of marketing. Most recently, Pitt was a communications technician with the Humboldt County Office of Education and a marketing and communications specialist with the Visit Lodi Visitors Bureau.

Send business news to lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.