Major Detours Around Newell/Main St. Intersection in Walnut Creek

November 12, 2012 8:30 am

Last week I noted that the ‘white’ building at Newell & N. Main St. was getting demolished and this is going to cause major detours for the foreseeable future. The detour map is available full size here. From the City of Walnut Creek webpage:

To ensure the public’s safety during the exterior demolition, there will be significant lane closures around the Main Street/Newell Avenue intersection starting November 5. Lane closures will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Changeable message signs will be posted beginning October 29 to alert drivers to the closures. Specifically:

Main Street, southbound, will be closed between Broadway Plaza and Newell Avenue.

Newell Avenue, eastbound, between the Newell Promenade entrance and Main Street, will be closed, except for one lane that will be right-turn only onto South Main Street.

Newell Avenue, westbound, will be closed between Main Street and the Newell Promenade entrance. The Kaiser Permanente garage entrance on Newell will remain open. Also, Newell Promenade shops on Newell between Main Street and California will remain open.

Understand? Good, because when I looked at the detour map I couldn’t make heads or tails of it. 🙂

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Sign of the Day

November 9, 2012 11:30 am

GIANTS – Congratulations Champs window sign spotted on the Sherman Clay Piano store in downtown Walnut Creek.

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Friday Question of the Day – Where is the Best Location for Independent Retail Stores?

November 9, 2012 8:30 am

With the news this week that the women’s shoe and handbag boutique Footcandy is closing this year due to competition from larger retail stores in Walnut Creek, that got me thinking about where is the best location for a small independent retail store to set up shop, in Walnut Creek or Lafayette?

Walnut Creek has big department stores like Nordstrom, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus, along with mid-tier retailers like Pottery Barn, H&M, Barnes and Noble and Apple, with smaller independent retailers mixed in such as Atlas and Norf London, while Lafayette is home to many independent retail stores such as the recently opened men’s clothing store Venture and children’s store Tulip. It seems to me that Walnut Creek would bring in more foot traffic, but competition would be greater with more choices available. The question is whether the increased foot traffic is worth being overshadowed by the larger stores. If you were going to set up shop as a small independent retailer, where would you choose, Walnut Creek or Lafayette? I also have Orinda on the list but I think it will come down to Lafayette and Walnut Creek. I didn’t bother adding Moraga to the list, because well, cows don’t shop. 🙂

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Take a Walk with the Mayor of Walnut Creek on Nov 10th

November 8, 2012 4:30 pm

From the City of Walnut Creek webpage:

The final “Second Saturday Walk with the Mayor” begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10 and will be about 3 miles long. The theme is the art and architecture of downtown Walnut Creek. Meet at the steps at the corner of California and Ygnacio Valley Road (in front of WC BART). No need to RSVP!

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Carjacking and Kidnapping at Walnut Creek Shadelands Parking Lot

November 8, 2012 4:00 pm

From the Walnut Creek police:

Date / Time Occurred: November 7,2012 @ 7:30 p.m.

Location: Business Center Parking Lot in the Walnut Creek Shadelands area

Crime Description / Code: 207(a) PC Kidnapping/215(a) PC Carjacking, 211 PC Robbery

Suspect #1: Described as a white male adult, early to mid 20s, 5’11”, 185/190 lbs, broad shoulders, short dark hair, unknown facial hair. Last seen wearing light colored T shirt under a black zip up colored shirt, jeans, blue or black.

Suspect #2: Described as a white male adult, early to mid 20s, 5’9”, 150 lbs with a slight build. Last seen wearing a mask (form type to below the nose), black hooded sweatshirt with the hood up, dark jeans.

Suspect Vehicle: Smaller older dark colored pick up truck. Possibly a Toyota with a loud muffler.

Narrative:
On the date and time listed, a 57 year old female was abducted as she was leaving her place of work and walking to her vehicle in an isolated parking lot. As the victim unlocked her vehicle the two described suspects ran up to her, forced her into her vehicle, tied her up and blindfolded her. The victim was driven to various locations in an attempt to get money from her ATM accounts.

The victim was driven to an isolated area in the Oakland Hills where she was released. A smaller older dark colored pick up truck, possibly a Toyota with a loud muffler, was seen leaving the area. The victim was able to free herself and called 911. Oakland PD responded and sought medical attention for the victim and obtained the initial information. The Walnut Creek Police Department was called to handle the primary investigation since the incident originated in Walnut Creek.

The Walnut Creek Police Department is actively investigating this crime. Anyone with information related to this crime is asked to contact the Walnut Creek Police Department Investigations Unit at (925) 943-5868 or (925) 943-5844.

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Canvas and Cabernet “Paint and Sip” Studio Coming to Downtown Walnut Creek

November 8, 2012 11:30 am

It looks like a new place called “Canvas and Cabernet” is opening up in downtown Walnut Creek on Locust St. across from the Walnut Creek Yacht Club and Pyramid Alehouse. From what I can surmise, Canvas and Cabernet is a “paint and sip” shop where people make art while enjoying a glass of wine of two. Apparently it’s becoming quite popular throughout the country. Has anyone ever been to one of these paint and sip studios? How was it?

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White Building Coming Down to Make Way for Condos and Retail Stores in Downtown Walnut Creek

November 8, 2012 8:30 am

The massive white building on the corner of S. Main St. and Newell Ave. is getting demolished to make way for 49 condos and 40,000 sf of retail space. Crazy in Suburbia has more background on the white building here and here. It used to be a bank and reminds me of a prison with those small windows. Has anyone been inside? Doesn’t seem like much natural light could get in there.

From the developer’s site:

Located in downtown Walnut Creek, The Village is an upscale mixed-use center characterized by modern simplicity and sophistication. Like a traditional village, residences and shops combine around small courtyards, plazas, and gardens. The 49 Condominium Residences are arranged to provide plenty of daylight, views, and privacy. 40,000 s.f. of pedestrian oriented retail space takes advantage of distinct architectural features to promote tenants and capture foot and car traffic. The Village extends Walnut Creek’s traditional downtown shopping area and creates a lively new southern gateway.

North perspective:

Creek promenade view:

This looks nice and should be good for stores across the street like Pacific Bay Coffee and the soon to be opened bakery Le Gateau Elegant.

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Stelle Bistro Opening in Walnut Creek

November 7, 2012 11:30 am

Stelle Bistro is opening up in the old Chili’s location at 1403 Locust St. this month according to Diablo Dish. They go on to note that they will offer “Italian, Continental fusion” cuisine. If the name Stelle Bistro sounds familiar to you, that may be because they used to be on N. Main St. as Caffe delle Stella, now occupied by the Greek restaurant Opa! (That exclamation point is part of the name, I’m not trying to be emphatic or anything). 🙂

Did anyone ever try the original Caffe delle Stella? How was it?

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Footcandy Closing in Walnut Creek by End of Year

November 7, 2012 8:30 am

Footcandy, the women’s footwear and handbag boutique located at 1365 N. Main St. in downtown Walnut Creek will be closing by the end of the year. They opened back in 2005, and were known for carrying high-end brands like Jimmy Choo and Manalo Blahnik in addition to cool window displays. Did anyone see that spirderweb display for Halloween, how cool was that?!

It looks like Footcandy was squeezed out by Nordstrom’s liberal return policy combined with its (along with Neiman Marcus) foray into higher end shoes. It’s too bad that a small independently owned boutique wasn’t able to compete. The good news is that prices are 30-60% off but the remaining stock is going fast so I would check them out ASAP if you’re interested. They may not even last through the end of the year if they sell off their stock early. I have heard that a boutique in Danville may be interested in taking over this location. Stay tuned…

Here’s how the inside looks:

Norf London that might be interested in this:

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Stem Salon Opens in Downtown Walnut Creek

November 6, 2012 11:30 am

Back in March I noted that Mika Specialty Salon closed, and now a new hair salon called Stem Salon has opened in its place. Stem Salon is located at 1325 Locust St. across the street from Anthropologie.

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