Beyond the Creek

ParkSmart Strikes Again as Olympia Place Parking Garage gets Blanketed with Parking Tickets

November 6, 2024 8:30 am

Olympia Place, Walnut Creek

Nearly nine years ago, I cautioned about questionable parking ticket practices in downtown Walnut Creek. Now, tickets are being handed out left and right on the first floor of the Olympia Place garage, right by the Cinemark Walnut Creek movie theater. In the photo above, some parking spots clearly display signs for mobile payment options. But as shown in the photo below, other spots lack any such signage. It’s completely unclear—and feels like a deliberate, misleading setup by ParkSmart.

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VOTE NOW

November 5, 2024 8:30 am

For all those who vote in person (I’ve been voting by mail for many years), don’t forget to vote today!

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Model Bakery opens in Downtown Walnut Creek

November 4, 2024 11:30 am

1315 N. Main St, Walnut Creek

The wait is over! Napa’s famed Model Bakery, celebrated worldwide for its English muffins, has officially opened in downtown Walnut Creek. Explore their pickup menu here. A big thanks to everyone who emailed about this. I tried the oatmeal raisin scone and Chipotle English muffin—both were fantastic!

From their website:

Model Bakery specializes in artisan breads made with organic stone ground flours and the highest quality ingredients as well as a complete range of pastry products.

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Formula 3 Gym Closes at La Fiesta Square in Lafayette

October 28, 2024 8:30 am

La Fiesta Square, Lafayette

The gym Formula 3, which opened back in 2019 at La Fiesta Square in Lafayette, has closed. It looks like they’ve been closed for a while, I must have missed the For Lease sign. According to this page, they’re currently in Orange County.

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El Tapense Mexican Restaurant opens in Lafayette

October 23, 2024 11:30 am

3576 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette

Over the summer, Berkeley-based El Tapense Mexican Restaurant opened in Lafayette where Lavash used to be. Check out their menu here.

From their website:

We take pride in honoring the rich culinary heritage of Mexico by using traditional recipes and cooking techniques that have been passed down through generations.

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Tonal opens at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek

October 22, 2024 8:30 am

Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek

Home gym brand Tonal has opened a small shop at Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek. Find out more about the equipment here, workouts here, and the company here. Pricing details are available here.

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Vuori coming to Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek

October 21, 2024 8:30 am

Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek

Athletic clothing and activewear brand Vuori is coming to part of where Banana Republic used to be at Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek. Check out their online selection here.

From their website:

Vuori draws inspiration from the coastal California lifestyle—an integration of fitness, surf, sport and art.

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Hollie’s Homegrown & SIP Goods opens in Downtown Walnut Creek

October 16, 2024 8:30 am

1372 North Main St, Walnut Creek

Hollie’s Homegrown and SIP Goods has opened a holiday popup shop in downtown Walnut Creek through the end of the year. Check out Hollie’s Homegrown online shop here, and SIP Goods online shop here.

From Hollie’s Homegrown site:

Our mission is to grow and procure the highest quality herbs, full of flavor and medicinal properties to craft delicious, healthy, safe food and bath/body products. In addition, we support a diverse group of local, original artists and artisans giving them a unique retail space to promote their creative talents by selling and exhibiting them in our store.

From the SIP site:

SIP – Seriously Imbibed Products – is a unique organic cotton textile company owned and designed by California artist Julia Minasian.

Thanks to a reader for sending the photo below of the inside:

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Gusto Focacceria & Pizzeria opens in Downtown Walnut Creek

October 15, 2024 11:30 am

1441 Locust St, Walnut Creek

In July, we learned that Gusto Focacceria & Pizzeria would be coming to downtown Walnut Creek and they have now opened. Check out their menu here. Learn more about the owner from Naples here. I had a chance to try a couple of focaccia pizza slices and they were delicious! I look forward to trying more slices soon.

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gorjana Jewelry Opening Winter 2025 at City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon

October 11, 2024 8:30 am

City Center Bishop Ranch, San Ramon

gorjana Jewelry is opening at City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon winter, 2025. Check out their online selection here.

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