Board of Supervisors Delay Decision on San Lorenzo Gun Shop Appeal

The former K.S. Glass & Tint Auto store located at 488 Lewelling Blvd. recently received a fresh coat of cream-colored paint and a few other touch-ups. However, it may be a while before guns are displayed there.

Gary Gamaza, John Teixeira and Steve Nobriga are business partners hoping to open Valley Guns & Ammo at vacant site. But after several months of delays, including an appeal of the conditional use permit and variance by the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association in December 2011, Teixeira said it does not look like the shop will open any time soon.

The appeal was supposed to go before the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 14. However, Teixeria told Patch on Wednesday that the appeal hearing was rescheduled for Feb. 28.

The delays are leaving the partners feeling frustrated and with lighter pockets.

"Everything has been done at our own expense," Nobriga said.

From cleaning up the building to paying more than $1,600 in rent every month, Teixeira said they've invested close to $8,000 each in the past year — all from their own savings.

And it doesn't stop there. Nobriga said they already have many ready-to-order items such as new doors, windows and display cases that also serve as sheilded safes for the firearms. However, until they find out if they can actually open a shop at the location, the orders are on hold.

Nobriga said they have already turned in their permits but cannot move forward until the county supervisors deny the appeal and approve their conditional use permit and variance.

Their next big hurdle, according to Teixeira, would be to get an application approved by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This would take anywhere from one to six months.

Teixeira, who used to own Castro Valley Gun Shop on Redwood Road (now Bullseye gun store), said one of the biggest financial blows they took as a result of the delays was not getting discounted inventory at two national firearms shows they attended last month.

"We couldn't buy anything because we didn't have the license to do that," Teixeira said. "It's just such a shame. For the first year, it's going to be at least a 60 percent loss."