By Ted AYALA

When Rachelle Bowers, newly hired at Kobeissi Properties’ new Montrose office, took one look at her new workplace’s sumptuous surroundings, a single thought seized her mind: People need to know about this place.

“In my former life,” Bowers recalled, “I was an events coordinator.” That was before she joined the Kobeissi Properties team. Now the one-time events coordinator saw her gilded office space and in it an opportunity to put her experience to work for her new employer – and for the community.

She was also struck by Montrose’s small town atmosphere, its tightly knit group of residents and businesses. That’s when the epiphany struck her that would bring Montrose residents to Kobeissi.

“Wouldn’t it be great to make this office a kind of neighborhood hub?” she thought. “I would love to bring the neighborhood together in here.”

Her ambition was to turn her office into a nexus for locals to gather and meet, where families feel welcome, a place where, Bowers said, Kobeissi wouldn’t be merely another business in the area, but a “good neighbor.”

And the first step to realizing Bowers’ dream? A nice cup of tea.

“It’s a great way for people to network,” she said. “People get warmed up, animated. Set up tea for your guests and you’ll get them to talk.”

In the last few weeks, Bowers has organized a variety of free community events at the office with another coming around this weekend. A complimentary wine tasting, presented by pourwineandbites.com and sponsored by Shea Case of Skyline Home Loans, is scheduled for Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. Wines – six different brands in all – are provided courtesy of the Boisset Wine Group. Featured wines will include offerings from California wineries Buena Vista, Raymond, Deloach, and JCB, as well as French winemaker Louis Bouillot. Live acoustic guitar music performed by Mario Monico promise to fill out the ambiance.

Future events penciled in at Kobeissi Montrose include yoga classes, classes teaching healthy eating habits to children, and “mommy classes.”

“Classes that will help new mommies get back in shape and lose that baby weight,” she added. “It’s a privilege to be a part of a community, to be part of people’s special day, and to help the community network.

I hope in the future to somehow able to make turn this hub into a local charity.”

But until then, wine awaits.

The Kobeissi Montrose office is located on 2429 Honolulu Ave. To make a free reservations for Sunday’s wine tasting, call (818) 839-0935. For more information on the events at the Kobeissi Montrose office, go online to www.rachelleiskey.com.

  Ted Ayala