Est. 20+ Years: Napa Legacy Business Program

Founded in 1982 as MCA Architecture Planning Interiors by Stephen Cuddy and Dan McAuliffe, the firm grew into one of Napa’s most enduring design practices. After early offices in Sacramento and Fairfield, Cuddy relocated to Napa in 1998, where he established deep community roots.

By 2004, the firm designed and built its permanent home at 855 Bordeaux Way. In 2012, it rebranded as Napa Design Partners, welcoming a new generation of architects while carrying forward its legacy of thoughtful design.

Over the years, the firm has led projects for both public and private clients, from the County of Napa and UC Davis Medical Center to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Landmark local work includes the Historic Napa Mill and Hatt Buildings, home to the Napa River Inn, and Napa Square, a LEED Gold–certified downtown development.

“Our commitment has always been to integrity, creativity, and lasting impact,” says Cuddy.

The Napa River Inn sits at the heart of the Historic Napa Mill, once a bustling 19th-century hub for trade and agriculture. Bricks made from river clay and a four-story mill once defined the site’s industrial role.

By the 1990s, the property had fallen into disuse—until visionary developer Harry Price launched an ambitious adaptive reuse project. In 2000, the Inn opened with 66 rooms that blend historic features—original bricks, mill gates, reclaimed floors—with modern luxury.

Today, the Inn is a cornerstone of a walkable district filled with shops, restaurants, and cultural venues. “We’re proud that the Inn is more than a place to stay—it’s a space that brings people together,” says Sara Brooks, general manager since 2006. “Whether guests come for a concert, a wedding, or a wine country weekend, they’re stepping into something authentically Napa.”

Story by Priscillia de Muizon, Inkwell Story Studio. Photos courtesy Napa River Inn. Pictured: Sara Brooks, General Manager, and Elena Monterrosa, Executive Housekeeper.

For over 30 years, Small World Restaurant has been a cornerstone of downtown Napa. Its walls are adorned with photos of local leaders, city employees, and Little League teams it has sponsored. A large banner outside reads: “Together we are strong.” Mike named the restaurant “Small World” to have a community with all races. “I want people from everywhere in the world to eat here and to show how the world is so small.”

Owner “Mike” Ali Musa offers jobs to people in need because “every person in this community needs a chance.” Many of his staff have been with him for over twenty years. Small World also operates on an honor system: diners order their Middle-Eastern-inspired meal, enjoy it, then simply tell the cashier what they had and pay. “Trust your customers and they will trust you, too.”

Over the years the space has not changed much. Mike jokes “Like they say: if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” Mike was given a chance to purchase the space by his former landlord. “My goal was to own my own business. My luck ended up in this building.”

Today, his sons help to run the restaurant. “We’re going to keep serving the people of Napa Valley, hopefully for generations.”

Story and photo of Mike Musa by Priscillia de Muizon, Inkwell Story Studio. Group photographs provided by Mike Musa with sons Jaber Alimusa, Saleem Alimusa, and Rico Gramlich.

In 2002, Garret Murphy and Kim Erasmy opened Vintner’s Collective in Napa’s oldest stone building, the Pfeiffer Building (1875), on a quiet corner with little foot traffic. Their vision: a shared tasting room for boutique winemakers without a winery of their own.

Garret, a former pastry chef, curated exceptional small-lot wines, while Kim transformed the historic space—once a brewery, brothel, laundry, and butcher shop—into a warm, design-forward destination. The Collective helped pioneer the private tasting model, offering elegant lounges and a welcoming bar for walk-ins.

Through floods, economic downturns, and the 2014 earthquake—which left them operating from an Airstream—they never lost momentum. Kim famously covered missing windows at their re-opening with sky-blue screenprints.

Now a downtown mainstay, Vintner’s Collective thrives on word-of-mouth and local loyalty. “It’s French Laundry meets Cheers,” says Garret. After more than two decades, the building and the business are inseparable—a testament to creativity, resilience, and a deep love of wine.

Story and photos by Priscillia de Muizon, Inkwell Story Studio.
Photos of Garret Murphy and Kim Erasmy.

Priscillia de Muizon is the founder of Inkwell Story Studio, helping people and businesses share their stories through thoughtful, interview-based storytelling. Her work ranges from short profiles to full-length memoirs and legacy books. She is also the creator of Innovators of the Valley, a blog featuring imaginative people doing unconventional things in the Napa Valley.

Priscillia collaborates with Napa County Landmarks to share the stories behind historic structures and legacy businesses, celebrating the enduring spirit and unique character they bring to Napa. Priscillia grew up in St. Helena and lives in Napa with her husband and son.

For more information, visit Inkwell Story Studio.