Former Wine Cellar awaits rebirth

The space that used to belong to the Tracy Wine Cellar — which was a fixture of downtown and a favorite hangout for vinophiles — is undergoing a facelift.

The owner of the Wine Cellar, it’s been widely reported by downtown insiders, moved because the property owner would not give the business enough of a break on the rent — and was even considering raising said rent.

So, a local institution of fine culture bit the dust.

It’s yet another example of how downtown will never reach its full potential if property owners don’t get on board with the businesses they shelter.

But now the space on 10th Street is getting a facelift. On Tuesday, workers were busy installing new carpet and slathering the walls with fresh paint. They had no idea who would be moving in — apparently, the space is open to whomever would like it.

Here’s hoping that, whatever the store’s reincarnation is, it restores a bit of the panache that downtown lost when the Wine Cellar departed.