Neighboring BMW dealer buys Auto Bistro
June Casagrande
NEWPORT BEACH -- The Auto Bistro property on West Coast Highway, which
has sat vacant for nearly three years since the experimental gourmet
drive-through closed, is in the process of being purchased by neighboring
Sterling BMW.
A Sterling representative declined to comment on whether the newly
acquired property would be used to expand the dealership, saying that
plans were not yet firm. Sterling’s plans for the property could be
announced in about a month, he said. The sale price and other details of
the transaction were not disclosed.
For some Newport Beach observers, the Auto Bistro was an interesting
business experiment that just didn’t pan out.
“The Auto Bistro itself was a unique attempt to bring a product to the
market, and that attempt just didn’t work,” said Richard Luehrs,
president of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce. “It shows you how
difficult it is to make it in today’s business environment.”
For others, the abandoned yellow and red building has loomed as an
aesthetic monstrosity inconsistent with the nautical theme and feel of
Mariner’s Mile.
If Sterling chooses to use the site to expand its auto sales business,
it would need to modify its city-issued permit. That would require the
matter to go before the Planning Commission.
If that expansion were to happen, there could be some benefits to the
city, Assistant City Manger Sharon Wood said. Most notably, it would mean
that cars would be entering and exiting into only one driveway on Coast
Highway instead of two separate driveways if a separate business moved
in.
The idea of using the space for a car dealership is consistent with
the city’s guidelines for the area.
“In that area, we encourage and like to see some marine elements,”
Wood said. “But if it will be an extension of what Sterling looks like
now, that’s a nice looking building. I don’t think the city would object
to that.”
Luehrs said an expansion of Sterling’s operations onto the old Auto
Bistro site would be a benefit to the city.
“I think it’s a great culmination to an ongoing problem of what to do
with that site,” Luehrs said. “It makes terrific sense that the auto
dealership take over that site. It seems like a great use for the city.”
* June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)
574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 june.casagrande@latimes.comf7 .
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