The Wine Cellar patio has officially been closed as the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation continues its sunsetting process and reassessment of the usage of its properties. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

The Wine Cellar’s patio area that sits inside Wintergarden Plaza has been closed as the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation continues work on its sunsetting process.

The Wine Cellar announced this closure through social media Thursday, saying it was closed by the order of the Gebbie Foundation and the mayor’s office. An official statement from the JRC Board on Friday — sent by the Rev. Luke Fodor who co-chairs the JRC board with Mayor Kim Ecklund — said that the closure is a part of the organization reassessing the use of some properties.

“Winter Garden Park, in its entirety, is owned and operated by JRC,” the statement reads. “As the organization proceeds through its transitional and programmatic evaluation, it is reassessing the usage of its properties. The Wine Cellar had previously leased a portion of the park for patio use, and the JRC Board informed the business owners in May of the planned changes as part of this transition.”

The JRC Board has clarified that the lease agreement that the Wine Cellar had for the patio space has also expired, another factor leading to its announced closure. The JRC Board advised the owner of that fact and that the lease agreement would not be renewed.

When it was announced in June that the JRC would begin the sunsetting process, it was also announced that the City of Jamestown will lead neighborhood revitalization programs, while the Gebbie Foundation will continue its efforts on economic development initiatives in the city.

The official JRC Board statement continues by saying that prior to initiating the sunset process, the board fully resolved to keep Winter Garden Park open for public access to accommodate its year-round programming, and that existing agreements such as those for Third Thursday have been and will continue to be honored.

“As a JRC Property, this decision was endorsed by the full JRC Board,” the statement said. “While not a decision of the City of Jamestown, the Mayor serves as JRC co-chair by virtue of office. The Board remains fully committed to advancing the sunset process in coordination with its funders.”