Encina Grande, Walnut Creek
Thanks to a reader who wrote in that the Safeway that is closing in Encina Grande on Ygancio Valley Rd. in Walnut Creek, “this morning at 6:30 am store was packed, lines extended the entire length of the store”. I dropped by later in the afternoon and it was 85% empty. Looks like they’ll be closing sooner rather than later judging by how little stuff is left.
Over the past year I have been posting about the new stores coming to phase one of the Broadway Plaza redevelopment in downtown Walnut Creek. A source has helpfully put together a summary and map of the stores that are coming:
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Los Angeles-based NYX Cosmetics is opening one its first five locations in Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek by the end of the year. According to a source, look for the store directly next to Macy’s.
From their Facebook page:
NYX Cosmetics was named after the Greek goddess who ruled the night, just like many of our fans who rule the night life in this modern techno-savvy world. We offer a wide variety of products ranging from eye shadows to foundation and brushes to eye lashes and glitter to glosses. Everything a professional makeup artist needs for the job or that a goddess needs to create her look for a night on the town.
NYX Cosmetics originated and is headquartered in the heart of sunny Los Angeles. The cosmetics line was founded in 1999 by a young entrepreneur named Toni Ko. Ms. Ko has been involved in color cosmetics since she was a teenager and has always desired to create and share a line of cosmetics that provided quality products at affordable prices.
Willows Shopping Center, Concord
Spirit Halloween is back for another season this year in the Willows Shopping Center in Concord.
1823 N. Main St, Walnut Creek
The Walnut Creek Design Review Commission is reviewing a plan to turn the shuttered Target Garden Center in Walnut Creek into an F&M Bank (Farmers & Merchants Bank). This section of Target was recently subdivided into a new parcel and the rendering of the new bank submitted to the city looks great. According to MBH Architects, the “building was developed to stand in juxtaposition to its setting”.
MBH Architects
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
The latest retail store to come to Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek is Pandora Jewelry. It looks like it will be located off the side walkway near Macy’s. As you can see in the above photo, the street “will be narrowed and paved to add to the European-style, pedestrian appeal” according to their Facebook page. Look for a November opening for the initial Broadway Plaza phase.
From their Facebook page:
PANDORA designs, manufactures and markets hand-finished and modern jewellery made from genuine metals at affordable prices. PANDORA jewellery is sold in more than 90 countries on six continents through approximately 9,600 points of sale, including more than 1,400 concept stores.
Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, PANDORA employs more than 12,400 people worldwide of whom approximately 8,600 are located in Gemopolis, Thailand, where the company manufactures its jewellery.
Walnut Creek farmers market, Locust St.
Yesterday we saw the progress on Pressed Juicery coming to downtown Walnut Creek and over the weekend as I was checking out the Walnut Creek farmers market near Target I noticed a relatively new booth called WholeHearted Juice Co. selling their organic juices. They are based in Sacramento and recently opened their first physical location in Midtown Sacramento. Check out their juice menu here. In addition to a cleansing subscription service, you can also purchase one bottle for $10 plus $1 for a glass bottle deposit. I tried Fennomenal (Cucumber, Celery, Fennel, Apple, Lime, Ginger) and it was delicious.
From their website:
There is juice… and then there is WholeHearted Cold-Pressed Juice! Our raw juice blends are 100% organic and the produce we use is local. There are nearly 6lbs of organic goodness pressed into each 16oz. bottle – and we never water it down! We see ourselves as alchemists – each of our juice, nut and coffee (yes! coffee!!) blends are carefully mixed and balanced to be nutritious and enjoyable for the palette!
We always bottle in glass, NEVER plastic! Two main reasons: Plastic contains petrochemicals that leach into the liquid (the juice you are drinking!!) and plastic is wasteful, and bad for the environment. We take a deposit for each glass bottle, encouraging our customers to return them for reuse! Less waste, better health! (We have an extensive 3-part sanitation process that all returned bottles go through before reuse!)
3380 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville
Soo Dance Company & Academy has relocated to Blackhawk Plaza in Danville in a great spot next to the Blackhawk Museum. They offer classes to people of all ages, including adults. Check out their classes here.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
One more new retailer coming to Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek is Apex by Sunglass Hut, which will feature “sport performance eyewear”. I asked about this at Sunglass Hut, also located at Broadway Plaza and they were not aware of Apex coming however according to my source there are definite plans for this, right next to Macy’s. Check out this new concept store experience here. Looks very cool!
From their website:
Apex by Sunglass Hut is a revolutionary sunglass store committed to carrying the world’s best assortment of sport performance eyewear. Driven by innovation, the N3L retail experience will forever change the way performance eyewear is discovered, ensuring that you will always find the right frame, shape and lens for your specific sport or outdoor environment.
19D Orinda Way, Orinda
Thanks to a reader for sending word (and photo) that the online, “luxury monogrammed accessories” store Parker Thatch (formerly iomoi), has opened a retail location in Orinda in the same shopping center where Village Pizza and The Refined Palate are located across from the Orinda Library. Check out their online shop here.
From their website:
Craftsmanship, beautiful materials and personalization evoke the timeless customs of the Northeast tempered with a comfortable Californian elegance. Patterns and motifs are traditional with a witful wink.
Parker Thatch produces seasonal collections of bags, small accessories, homegoods, and stationery crafted from heavy canvas, napa leathers, lucite, heavy paper stocks and featuring Parker Thatch’s own monograms, stripes and whimsical patterns and motifs.