Jason's Wine Store Changes Hands
Jason’s Fine Wine & Spirits, located on the ground floor of the California Market Center in Los Angeles, has new owners.
Alex and Carlos Ramirez have taken over from Zoeb and Suraiya Sutarwala, who operated the store for nine years.
Jason’s has been a CMC fixture since the center opened in the mid-1970s as the California Mart. Jason’s specializes in fine wines, champagnes and gourmet foods difficult to find in the area.
The Sutarwalas were largely responsible for building up the unique product mix over the years. “There was nothing here when we started,” Zoeb said.
The couple said they sold the business to spend more time with their family.
“It’s been a nice place to work,” Zoeb said. “It’s like a big family here in the Mart, and the people made the experience worthwhile.”
The new owners will keep the store’s name but will make some changes. A humidor room specializing in specialty cigars and smoke items will be one.
“We may bring in some specialty beers,” Alex Ramirez said. “But a lot of the products will remain the same. A lot of what we carry will be what our customers want. hellip; It’s a friendly, welcoming environment here.”
The Ramirez family has been in the wine-and-spirits business for 25 years and owns other stores in East Los Angeles. For more information, call (213) 485-9463. —Robert McAllister
