Rochester Sport for Big & Tall Men closed last week in downtown Walnut Creek. They were located in a prime spot next to Spitz Jewelers, across the street from Starbucks. Being neither big nor tall I never stepped inside this store, but for those missing it you can go to their San Francisco location at 700 Mission St.
In March I noted that U Threads was closing in Broadway Plaza, and it didn’t take long to find a new tenant. The furniture store Elegant Living Furniture will be opening today at 48 Broadway Lane. Check out some of what they have to offer:
Tiny Feet, a new children’s shoe store in the Orinda Theatre Square, opened last December, and is I believe the only children’s shoe store in all of Lamorinda. There is a little play area in one corner and is nicely decorated throughout. Check out the interior below:
If you’re in the market for high quality children’s shoes I would definitely check this place out.
Last December I noted that the mattress store Duxiana had closed back last July, and now a new hair salon called, Insignia Hair Salon, will take its place, opening early this summer. From their website:
Insignia Hair Salon will offer luxurious, glamorous hair services & treatments with
a pampering touch in the trendy downtown Walnut Creek neighborhood!FEATURING:
Great Length Cold Fusion Hair Extensions
Keratin Complex Smoothing Treatment and Express Blow Out
Brazilian Blow Out
Yuko Straightening
Highlights
Gloss
Color Correction
Precision Cuts
Styling
and more…
Insignia will be located at 1530 Locust St. in Walnut Creek, across the street from the Mancini’s Sleepworld.
Walnut Creek gets Neiman Marcus, Lafayette gets Whole Foods, and Moraga gets… Dollar Tree. Before it opened last year, there was quite a debate as to whether it should be approved or not, but obviously it was, and the result is the store pictured above. Some people argued that it would lower property values while others proclaimed that it would increase tax revenue for the city, as well as supporting the notion of a free market.
So if anyone from Walnut Creek, Lamorinda and elsewhere is looking for a marijuana drug test, the Moraga Dollar Tree has you covered:
And if you just can’t find a masculine enough aftershave at Target or The Art of Shaving, come down to the Moraga Dollar Tree for this:
Any opinions on the Moraga Dollar Tree? Are you happy with how it turned out, or would you have rather waited for another retailer?
The digital signs around downtown Walnut Creek notifying people of the available spaces is a really useful service so people can try other garages that may have more spots available. This sign is next to the Broadway Plaza parking garage near Crate & Barrel. Does anyone know how long this has been there?
Previously someone commented on how the employee spots are on the first floor. Do people think the employee spots should remain there or be moved to the top floor, or to the top covered floor?
Last month I noted how the women’s sportswear store title 9 is moving to Mt. Diablo Blvd, and yesterday saw that they are now open in their new location at 1637 Mt. DIablo Blvd, previously the Le Creuset store.
It’s been a while since I’ve been to the Orinda Theatre Square and I have to say it’s really coming alive with new stores and restaurants. A new florist is having a soft opening on Friday called Anahid Designs. They were originally located in Santa Monica, then San Lorenzo and the owner has been doing floral designs the past 12 years. They are available for weddings and special events.
Check out an example of their work:
The grand opening will be held on May 5th. Just in time for Mother’s Day.
A few months ago Traction Bikes moved from Pleasant Hill to downtown Lafayette, at 3568 Mt. Diablo Blvd, right next to the Milosport snowboarding store. They are an independent bike shop run by owner Mike Brain who ran the first mobile bike repair business in Contra Costa County way back in 1982.
Check out the inside:
They offer bikes for both serious and casual riders, as well as children. Their Facebook page is here. Lafayette now has downtown 3 bike shops, Traction Bikes, Sharp Bicycle and Hank & Frank Bicycles.
Last month I noted the demolition possibilities that may play out if Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek turns the street running between into a pedestrian plaza. Last night the Walnut Creek city council took up the Broadway Plaza master plan again and various concerns were raised. From what I can tell the following are the pros and cons of the proposed development:
PROS
CONS
Considering both the pros and cons, do you think the Broadway Plaza master plan should be approved? If no, are there any changes that could be made to support it? If there are any missing pros/cons please let me know and I’ll add them in. One thing I’d like to know is what will happen to the small stores behind Broadway Plaza, between Macy’s and Nordstrom. If those will not be available that would be unfortunate as it offered shoppers a smaller, more intimate shopping experience that would work well with bigger stores in front. However, based on the number of store closings in that area, maybe not.