Pier 1 Imports Moving to Old Golfsmith Location in Walnut Creek

January 28, 2013 8:30 am

Back last February I noted that the tennis and golf shop Golfsmith was moving to Pleasant Hill and now this huge building on Mt. Diablo in Walnut Creek will be home to Pier 1 Imports who are moving down from a block away also on Mt. Diablo Blvd. As you drive around town you may notice people standing around with huge 20-40% off signs in order to get rid of inventory from the other store.

This is a smart move by Pier 1 as I don’t think I ever actually went to their current location. Despite being a stone’s throw away from downtown it seemed really isolated. The new location is huge and should be a lot more visible to downtown shoppers. Any fans of Pier 1? I rarely shop there but when I think of Pier 1 the first word that comes to mind is: wicker.

0 Comments

Carl’s Jr Closing in Walnut Creek Today

January 25, 2013 11:30 am

Photo by Flickr user daecon

The Contra Costa Times reported that the fast food restaurant Carl’s Jr. will be closing today in Walnut Creek at the Citrus Marketplace shopping center at Oak Grove Road and Citrus Avenue. A Carl’s Jr spokesperson noted, “that lack of a drive-through window, combined with “increasing business costs” and the expiration of the building’s lease, prompted the Carpenteria-based company to close its Walnut Creek store.”

0 Comments

Suicide at Nordstrom Cafe Rooftop Dining Area

January 24, 2013 10:00 pm

Claycord reported on a suicide that took place earlier today at the Nordstrom rooftop dining area.

From the Walnut Creek police:

On 1/24/13 at 1:51pm, the Walnut Creek Police Department received a report that a subject had jumped off the roof at Broadway Plaza, landing near the sidewalk of South Broadway and Mt Diablo Blvd.

The subject was a female in her late 20’s and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Witnesses and the subsequent investigation revealed the subject was by herself when she intentionally jumped off the third floor balcony.

The subject’s identity is being withheld pending notification by the CCC Coroner’s office. The suicide resulted in nearby roads being closed. All roads were reopened at 1513 hours.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255

From the website:

No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.

2 Comments

Bike Walnut Creek Advocacy Ride at Walnut Creek Library on Jan. 26th

January 24, 2013 4:30 pm

From the East Bay Bicycle Coalition website:

Date:
January 26, 2013 – 10:00am – 2:00pm
Bike Walnut Creek is planning a bicycle ride which will tour Walnut Creek’s bicycling infrastructure. We would like to see a diverse group of both cyclists and non-cyclists on the ride, mainly consisting of folks who make critical funding, designing, and building decisions for the city. If you have any contacts that fit the bill, please ask them to join us on Saturday, January 26th. We will meet at the WC Library at 10am. The ride will be small, around 12-15 bicyclists. The tentative route is mapped here:

http://goo.gl/maps/n6Bpe

In conjunction with the Advocacy Ride, we will do a survey of bicyclists at the Walnut Creek library also starting at 10am on January 26th. For those parking their bicycles in the racks in front of the 4 entrances, BWC will inquire as to the route they used to get to the library, whether they felt comfortable on the route, whether they think improvements could be done for bicycle access to the library. This is our first public recruiting event and it is a great way to get more passionate bicyclists involved in our cause.

0 Comments

CREAM (Cookies Rule Everything Around Me) Coming to Walnut Creek this Summer

January 24, 2013 11:30 am

I’ve recently learned that CREAM (Cookies Rule Everything Around Me) will be opening a new location in downtown Walnut Creek this summer. Known for their ice cream cookie sandwiches, CREAM has quite a following in Berkeley. I can’t wait to try this place out! Has anyone tried this before?

From their website:

When we opened CREAM, we embarked on our business venture as a family. We based our business model on four principles. We decided to adhere to them throughout our introduction of this great concept.

The four guiding principles can be summarized as follows; Our first principle was premium products. Top notch Sandwiches made with superior ingredients. The second was to keep our product affordable, thus shattering the old business rule of high quality equals high prices. Third, we wanted every consumer to leave delighted not only with our product, but with our service. Our employees treat every customer with unconditional respect and gratitude. The fourth and final principle we cemented into our business model is our atmosphere. We wanted to have a very relaxed and fun environment.

Looks like downtown Walnut Creek is becoming ice cream central. San Francisco Creamery and Gelato Naia are here with Lottie’s Creamery opening soon and now CREAM. Stay tuned for updates on location and construction progress.

8 Comments

Gilbert and Sullivan’s Princess Ida Jan. 25 – 27th at the Lesher Center

January 23, 2013 4:30 pm

Photo by David Allen

From the Lesher Center for the Arts:

When:
January 25, 2013, curtain 8pm
January 26, 2013, curtains 2pm & 8pm
January 27, 2013, curtain 2pm

Run Time:Act I: 35 minutes / Act II: one hour / Act III: 30 minutes plus two 15 minute intermission

A 20 year old treaty states that Princess Ida and Prince Hilarion are to marry when they come of age. That time has come, but Ida refuses to honor a commitment made on her behalf when she was an infant, and has gone off to the country to start a women’s university. There she teaches an interesting variation on Darwin’s theory: that man – not woman, just man – is descended from apes, and thus are inferior to women. The Prince, on the other hand, is an unabashed romantic, and decides to woo Ida and win her love. He and two friends make their way to the university, where they disguise themselves as women in order to enroll and get close to her.

1 Comment

Footcandy Lives on until Feb. 15th at Norf London in Walnut Creek

January 22, 2013 11:30 am

Although Footcandy has closed up shop in Walnut Creek you can still get up to 80% off as their final inventory is being sold around the corner at the fashion boutique Norf London which I profiled way back in December of 2011.

0 Comments

Canvas and Cabernet Opening Jan. 26th in Downtown Walnut Creek

January 22, 2013 8:30 am

Back in November I noted that the “paint and sip” shop Canvas and Cabernet would be opening in downtown Walnut Creek across the street from Pyramid Alehouse and I recently found out they will be having a soft opening this Saturday, January 26th. Check out this month’s calendar here. According to their FAQ, classes begin at 6:30pm and last 2 hours or so. Prices range from $25 – $45 and provide canvases, paint brushes, easels and aprons. As for the drinks, “A variety of beer, wine and champagne are available for purchase. Beer is $5-$8 a bottle. We have wine by the glass for $9 or a variety of wines by the bottle Champagne and Mimosas are also a favorite at $5 a glass!”

From their website:

Canvas and Cabernet is an upscale painting studio where art and entertainment collide bringing nightlife to the heart of downtown Walnut Creek. No experience is necessary just join us for an evening of fun as we are dedicated to bringing the creativity out in each individual through simple painting prompts, your favorite music and good company! Expect to leave here inspired, having created a painting that is absolutely uniquely your own.

Check out a photo of another paint and sip class in the US:

Canvas and Cabernet is located at 1421 Locust Street in downtown Walnut Creek.

8 Comments

Songs & Poetry of the Civil War at Walnut Creek Library Jan. 23rd

January 21, 2013 4:30 pm

From the Walnut Creek library:

Songs & Poetry of the Civil War

Wednesday, January 23, 2013
7:00 p.m. Walnut Creek Library Oak View Room

Hear the personal stories of the Civil War through popular wartime anthems and the poetry of some of the most prolific and profound Civil War-era writers.

The poems will be read by Lesher Center favorites Kerri Shawn and Scott Denison, accompanied by an ensemble to perform the war anthems. Northgate history teacher, Meg Honey will provide the historical context.

The songs and poetry are powerful and moving. From the “Battle Cry of Freedom” to the poetry of Whitman, Dickinson, Melville and others, we are reminded of the price of liberty and freedom.

Free program, reserve your seat HERE.

0 Comments

Progress on Almond Station Homes in Walnut Creek

January 21, 2013 8:30 am

Back in May I noted that the “Almond Station” homes were coming to downtown Walnut Creek and as you can see progress is coming along nicely. I don’t see any signs though which may mean the houses have already been purchased. Location-wise I would say if you commute via BART this would be a great place to live as it’s only a 5-10 minute walk and also a short walk to downtown Walnut Creek as well.

9 Comments