More trouble for a controversial Sonoma Valley Developer. The Press Democrat reports that a consignment auto business owned by Ken Mattson has been shut down. In early May, the DMV told Specialty Sales Classics, which has locations in Fairfield, Pleasanton and Redwood City that the business’ bond had expired and that they were to stop consigning and selling cars immediately. Nine complaints go back years with several customers alleging late or defaulted payments. They allege Mattson would transfer money from the auto lots into KS Mattson Partners, his own personal company. Payments to consignors were frequently late and several of them have yet to receive the full amount promised.
Meanwhile, the new owner of the iconic Sonoma Cheese Factory and Sonoma’s Best market and deli has been confirmed by the PD. Those businesses and other Mattson properties were purchased by a company led by San Francisco tech entrepreneur Chris Fanini, known as the co-founder of Weebly.