But on the night of June 22, multiple businesses fell victim to a theft that has left owners, chefs, employees and customers in shock.

The Wine Cellar, 50 University Ave., bore the worst of the damage. Owner Larry Hauck said he came to work around 8:30 a.m. on June 23 and realized one of the handcrafted marble-topped tables he had made with his son, Steve, was missing, along with six wrought-iron chairs, an umbrella and related stand, a stainless steel table and even a tub of silverware. None of the items were locked down the previous evening, but Hauck and his daughter, Lisa, noted that the table and umbrella stand are extremely heavy. Hauck estimated the table alone weighed at least 150 pounds.

"Somebody has a nice patio set now," said Lisa.

The father and daughter said it would have been difficult for even a few suspects to have removed the items by lifting them over the decorative fencing that surrounds the patio. Hauck thought the burglary must have taken place some time between 1 and 4 a.m., after restaurants and shops in the area had closed. Hauck also speculated that a truck or van must have been used to haul off the items.

"I was shocked. It's never happened before," said Hauck, adding he's been in business since 1990. "I guess you don't expect something like this in Los Gatos."

Hauck said the furniture was custom-made to sit flat on the patio deck, and calculated a total loss of at least $1,350.

Steve added the restaurant is offering up to a $1,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the culprits and return of any of the stolen merchandise or information related to its disappearance.

Jack Aknin, general manager of California Cafe, was also extremely angry to find six of his expensive patio chairs missing. Aknin said the chairs were purchased four years ago and are not manufactured anymore. He's debating whether to do without the missing furnishings or to purchase a whole new patio set. Aknin also said the chairs were not secured to the patio, but he is hoping someone returns them. Aknin is offering "a handsome reward" to anyone with information about the incident or for the return of the furniture.

"Hopefully, it was more of a prank and not a serious theft," Aknin said.

Aknin added there is a security service that patrols the shopping center, but believes the service to be inadequate. Since October of 1997, Old Town has been managed by the Maryland-based Federal Realty Investment Trust, a nationwide mall developer. The Old Town property manager said he was not authorized to comment about the theft.

Employees at Borders Books and Cafe also said they are missing some metal chairs usually located on the outdoor patio of the cafe. They were not sure how many were missing, but said the business closed at 11 p.m.

Steamer's Grillhouse, 31 University Ave., across the street, was also vandalized. Manager Javier Casillas said two outdoor patio heaters, costing about $600, were taken.

"That's the first I've heard of any vandalism or theft in town," Casillas said. "It's shocking that someone could have wheeled [the heaters] away because they're not light."

Casillas said while the heaters were not chained down, they weigh as much as 200 pounds. The locked tables and chairs were not taken. Owner Paul Matulich said he left the restaurant around 11:30 p.m. He's offering dinner for two or related compensation to anyone who might have seen anything regarding the theft.

"It's unbelievable that [the suspects] had time to do all that," Matulich said. "I'm sure if they hadn't been chained, they would have taken the tables and chairs, too."

Los Gatos­Monte Sereno Community Service Officer Ryan Terry responded to the incident on June 23. Anyone with information related to the theft can contact the police department's investigation/detective unit at 408.354.6825.