Gondola Servizios for Sale

photos courtesy Angelino Sandri and Gondola Servizio

After twenty years of successful operation, my friend Angelino is looking to pass the torch of both his Oakland and Napa operations. 
The company is aptly named Gondola Servizio.
www.gondolaservizio.com

This is bittersweet for me, as Angelino taught me how to row, 
both in Newport Beach and up in his location in Oakland.  
He has maintained the most traditional and high quality servizio west of the Atlantic. I wish him the very best, but will miss having him in the business.

Up for purchase: 
Gondola Servizio in Oakland, California 
- with two gondolas and a gorgeous varnished sandolo. 
The operation has a great relationship with the city, 
is a fixture in the community, 
has been running for 20 years with established clientele, 
and currently has a 10 year contract.
The rent includes docks and a large office/store front on the patio of the popular restaurant The Lake Chalet - with excellent walk-up potential (click on the link to see an overhead video of the restaurant and docks).
Use of a hoist and a 60' bay for work/repair/storage of boats are also included.

Asking price for Gondola Servizio in Oakland: $300k

Truth be told, I've always been a bit jealous of the arrangement Angelino has up there.  If I were in a better position, I'd be buying this place myself.

Gondola Servizio in Napa, California 
- with arguably the most beautiful new gondola in the country. 
The contract took 10 years to establish with the city.
A trailer is included in the sale.
Located in the heart of wine country, there's great potential for events with wineries and private parties, and winery cultural events.

Yes, this is the boat I've posted about a few times here, including:
"The New Boat in Oakland"
and "It's All About the Wood"

Asking price for Gondola Servizio Napa: $180k

 Two gondolas on Lake Merritt in Oakland.

 Fully varnished sandolo - ready for passengers.

The view from the back of the Napa gondola 

when she was on Lake Merritt in Oakland.

This is a rare opportunity to buy one or both of these servizios, 
which are in fully-functioning turn key condition.
Serious inquiries can be made to:

510-663-6603

Gondola operations. 

Angelino Sandri

510-388-1343

April Quinn

510-333-6328

For financial info etc.

 

 Trailer with Napa gondola.

 Beautiful bow in front of The Lake Chalet.

Napa Gondola moored in Oakland.

The dock in Napa.

 The hoist in Oakland.

On the water in the sandolo.

The Napa gondola being finished in Venice.

On the water in Oakland.

Gondola Rides Return to Napa River

Our friends at Gondola Servizio are back on the water and cruising 
once again on the Napa River.

They've been on Oakland's Lake Merritt since 1999, 
and they operated for a time in Napa, 
but in 2006 the docks were removed from that part of the river.

There's a beautiful new dock facility now, 
and what may be the most beautiful gondola in the US...is parked there 
(when she's not taking passengers, that is).

Here's a nice piece in the Napa Valley Register:
Gondola rides return to Napa River

Congratulations to April and Angelino on a successful re-launch.
I hope to get up there and see it all for myself some time.

https://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/gondola-rides-return-to-napa-river/article_2078c26e-64ba-5a30-b60c-f141355bd0d7.html

Gondolier Job in Napa

A while back you saw a gorgeous gondola in my post "It's All About the Wood". Angelino of Gondola Servizio in Oakland had it custom-built for an operation in Napa, California.  

This is a dream that Angelino has been developing for years.
Due to other obligations, the only thing missing from the equation is...
someone to row the boat!

That's right, the hunt is still on for a gondolier. 
This position will require rowing ability, and the ability to work independently.
A full-time staff will handle booking the tours for people who call in.
Additional business can be arranged in-person on the dock.

If you're interested, or have further questions, 
send a text to April at:
510-333-6328

Opportunity Comes to Napa

As you know from my post "It's All About the Wood", Angelino has been preparing things for his operation in Napa, California.  

The beautiful custom-built gondola featured in that post took her first passengers on Valentine's Day (see "The New Boat in Oakland") 
and is now ready to fulfill her destiny - taking passengers and making memories on the Napa River in California's wine country.

This is a dream that Angelino has been developing for years.
He brought a boat to the location back in 2003, but the circumstances were different and things weren't exactly the way they needed to be.

Now, after decades in the business, the stars have aligned and soon the most beautiful gondola in North America will call the Main Street Boat Dock her home.

Ah, but things don't always go exactly as we plan them.
It seems that Gondolas aren't the only thing that Angelino is great at.
He's been working with an Italian wine import company for some time now, and it turns out, he's going to need to remain in Oakland (when not traveling through Italy with clients).

The bottom line:
He's looking for one good gondolier - who knows their stuff, is a strong rower, and is willing to relocate - to row that gorgeous gondola on the Napa River.

This will be like having your own gondola operation, except that you won't have to buy the boat, set up all the intricate details, and shoulder the many other burdens of company ownership.

Sound great?
Tell ya what - I'm jealous of whoever ends up getting the job.
A full-time staff will handle booking the tours, 
so most client interaction will only be on the docks and while cruising.
The base of operations is located at the base of the 3rd Street bridge at the intersection of 3rd and Main Street.
The gondolier will need to arrange their own living situation, 
and expect to be available 5 days per week.

If you're interested, contact Angelino at:
angelino@vinitywinecompany.com