Citrus Marketplace, Walnut Creek
Thanks to those who emailed (and sent the above photo); Denica’s, which opened about seven years ago, recently closed at Citrus Marketplace in Walnut Creek. Their other three locations are temporarily closed due to the pandemic. Check for updates on their website here.
Spotted in downtown Walnut Creek.
Facial Covering Required for Branch Access
—Wells Fargo
I remember a time when facial coverings were not permitted when entering banks. My, how times have changed!
Plaza Escuela, Walnut Creek
It’s interesting to compare and contrast different shopping centers and restaurants around town. Here you can see the benches at Plaza Escuela in downtown Walnut Creek have been wrapped in caution tape with a note stating that, “due to the recent health crisis and mandates from the local authorities, this area is temporarily closed until further notice”, while a few blocks away at Broadway Plaza the benches are open and this weekend were occupied by the most amount of people I have ever seen since the shelter in place order went into effect last month. Within Plaza Escuela itself you can the patio tables at Chipotle in the background are publicly available and many times occupied.
Plaza Escuela, Walnut Creek
I wonder if Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in downtown Walnut Creek updates their business casual proper attire rules on an ongoing basis? I imagine every now and then someone comes in wearing something not on the list; the manager rolls their eyes and has a new sign printed with additional attire not to be worn.
Business Casual
Proper Attire Required Please
Kindly remove your hat
when entering the restaurant.Thank you for not wearing:
Gym wear or sweat pants,
tank tops, clothing with
offensive graphics or language,
exposed undergarments,
cut-off shorts, or beach flip-flops.
1548 Bonanza St, Walnut Creek
I want to give a shout-out to Broderick in downtown Walnut Creek for having a “clean & sanitized” pens bucket in addition to a “used pens” bucket. Not to mention the Purell bottle nearby. I don’t feel that comfortable ordering takeout but would definitely order from Broderick next time I’m in the mood for takeout!
On a side note, over the weekend I phoned in a pizza order for pickup. The person at the counter wasn’t wearing a mask and gave me a pen without mentioning if it had been sanitized. There was no concern about social distancing and I got the impression he couldn’t care less about getting coronavirus or transmitting it to others. Not setting the best example for someone manning the takeout section of a restaurant.
When it comes to grocery shopping it’s basically impossible to maintain six feet social distancing orders. I’m glad Trader Joe’s in downtown Walnut Creek limited access to maintain space but even so I felt really uncomfortable as I browsed aisle after aisle so close to people trying to stock up on groceries. I wondered if they had the virus, and they no doubt furtively glanced at me thinking the same.
At Safeway the following day I decided to wear an N-95 mask that I had for last year’s Bay Area fires, and although it was rather uncomfortable and awkward, especially at first, the peace of mind after the trip made it worthwhile. I did notice people giving me more space which worked out well. Am I being a bit neurotic? It seemed like the majority of people were not wearing masks but were concerned, and a few people had little concern at all.
How do you find grocery shopping these days?
850 S. Broadway, Walnut Creek
Despite the morbid news emanating throughout our region and the world, life goes on as Swan’s Fine Books, which opened about seven years ago in downtown Walnut Creek, is planning to relocate to the newly remodeled historic Walnut Creek train station where Vic Stewart’s used to be. Before it was demolished I was able to snap a photo of the exposed Southern Pacific Rail Car which was super cool to encounter. Check out Swan’s online shop which remains open here.
From their website:
Our specialities are Fine Press, Illustrated, and Artist books, and it is these that you will most likely find on our web site and at book fairs. We particularly love the early British fine presses, such as the Kelmscott Press, the Ashendene Press, the Cresset Press, and the Golden Cockerel Press. Illustrators of which we are particularly fond include Arthur Rackham, Edmund Dulac, and Eric Gill – but there are so many it’s impossible to name them all.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
It was rather eerie strolling through Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek over the weekend during prime shopping hours as stores were closed with the exception of Boudin Bakery for pick-up and almost nobody around except for the occasional dog walker. Oddly, the same pop music was piping through speakers as if nothing had changed.
1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
The Lesher Center is closed through April 30th in downtown Walnut Creek
From their website:
In response to the Contra Costa Health Services order to cease non-essential operations and gatherings in order to limit community exposure to COVID-19, all City buildings are closed until further notice.
Therefore, the Lesher Center for the Arts will be closed to the general public, and ALL EVENTS through April 30 are postponed/canceled. Lesher Center staff is communicating with all clients and ticketholders.
All impacted ticketholders will have the option of:
1. Ticket credit
2. Exchanges
3. Donation to producing company
4. RefundWe appreciate your patience as we work our way to you. There is NO NEED FOR YOU TO COME IN to exercise your option.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Not the greatest timing for a new store but SoCal-based men’s clothing store TravisMathew opened over the weekend at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek. Interestingly there is a tabletop video game (Pac-Man I think), which you can see in the photo below at left. Too bad nobody can go out to see it. Since parts of SoCal are shutting down as well it’ll be a while before online orders are delivered but you can check out their online selection here.
From their website:
Due to the Orange County Ordinance issued on March 17th regarding COVID-19 requiring businesses to temporarily shut down, the TravisMathew office and warehouse will be closed until end of day March 31st at the earliest. Unfortunately, orders will see a delay in shipment until at least this date. Thank you and be safe!
