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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