Steve Carlin is a retail marketplace developer and consultant working on artisan food related projects throughout the Unites States and Canada. He is the founder and Managing Partner of Oxbow Public Market and The Carlin Company, and has been directly involved in four benchmark retail projects over the last two decades: the Ferry Building Marketplace in San Francisco, Oxbow Public Market in the Napa, Napa Farms Market at San Francisco International Airport, and The Oakville Grocery in the Napa Valley. Steve is an active and sought-after consultant in the specialty food industry and a strong supporter of the “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” farm movement.
He is committed to strengthening the local food chain (and consumer experience) by creating sustainable platforms for the growth and success of owner operated food and wine related businesses. He has served on the Board of Directors for Joseph Phelps Vineyards in St. Helena, CA and Oakville Grocery in Oakville, CA. He was president of the Board of Directors for the popular St. Helena Farmer’s Market in the Napa Valley, and has served on the Board of Directors for Visit Napa Valley. He is currently a Trustee of the Land Trust of Napa County and also an Ambassador of the Culinary Institute of America.
Education:
BA, University of South Florida
Stanford University Graduate School of Business
Executive Management Program for Growing Companies
Key Relevant Projects:
Ferry Building Marketplace (San Francisco). Steve was responsible for planning and overseeing the initial operations and opening of the 100,000 s.f. marketplace. This included identifying suitable tenants, leasing, developing the merchandising and product mix, store design review, tenant installations, marketing promotions, customer service programs, and tenant relations. The project has been an unqualified success and continues to set the bar for retail innovation in specialty food.
Oxbow Public Market (Napa). Steve conceived and founded the Napa public market, opened in December 2007, and his company is also the General Partner. Located in the emergent Oxbow District of downtown Napa, this world-class attraction for both locals and the millions of visitors to the Napa Valley each year occupies 30,000 s.f. of retail / restaurant space with sweeping views overlooking the Napa River. There are 25 specialty merchants and a seasonal farmers market. Oxbow has been widely recognized as one of the best markets of its kind in the United States.
Napa Farms Market (San Francisco). Located in the new Terminal Two at San Francisco International Airport, this 4,000 s.f. retail store has set the bar for quality food and wine in an airport setting. The store has subleased an additional 1,000 s.f. to a prominent airport wine tasting bar, Vino Volo, and features celebrity chef Tyler Florence and other prominent Bay Area food producers such as Acme Bread, Cow Girl Creamery and Kara’s Cupcakes. Additional Napa Farms Markets are currently in the planning stages.
Berkshire Farms Market (Boston). A smaller, but related, version of Napa Farms Market, this 1,000 s.f. retail store located in the new United Airlines Terminal at Logan International Airport, has demonstrated that serving quality food and wine in an airport setting can be accomplished in a relatively small footprint. The store features a made to order fresh juice bar, local specialty foods from the Berkshires, and a unique variety of grab and go sandwiches and salads made from sustainable local ingredients. Additional versions of the smaller specialty market are in the planning stages.
Oakville Grocery (Napa Valley). Under Steve’s leadership, the specialty food and wine retail company grew to five Northern California retail store locations, a restaurant / cafe, and successful mail order / online catalogue over the course of 20 years. Considered the west coast equivalent of Dean and Deluca, the company is known for featuring cutting-edge artisan foods, an extensive wine selection, international and local specialties, and restaurant quality prepared foods. Oakville Grocery continues to operate its benchmark successful locations in Napa and Sonoma Counties.
