Remember there was a bike labeled "Palo Alto" and I believe these were Italian made, good quality, and then there was a Ritchey Palo Alto that was not (necessarily) sold thru the shop. This was the same group of people that developed the "Avocet" product line.
Just a block away was Wheelsmith, another top of the line bike shop that
offered Richard Sachs frames among othere. Former owner Ric Hjertberg is
still out there, his blog is http://wheelfanatyk.blogspot.com/
I'd be surprised if he was'nt on the list, at least lurking.
Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA