Calypso Twist has been closed for a while now, but it was a great addition to downtown Walnut Creek, hosting an eclectic mix of bold, artistic goods that made for great browsing.
Calypso Twist has been closed for a while now, but it was a great addition to downtown Walnut Creek, hosting an eclectic mix of bold, artistic goods that made for great browsing.
Neiman Marcus will be opening in a few short months in March and it looks like they’re ramping up steadily judging from the job searches they’re doing. My question is who plans to shop there? I don’t believe I’ve ever been inside one. From my understanding it’s even higher end than Nordstrom. Anyone been inside? How does it compare to Nordstrom?
Located in the heart of downtown Walnut Creek, Norf London, owned by a woman originally from north London offers fashion inspired by the English aesthetic. “Norf” is how “North” is pronounced in North London, hence the play on words.
It has been around over 6 years and if you’re wondering how could a chic shop like this could be right in downtown Walnut Creek all these years without noticing, well, it’s a bit off the beaten path. As you’re walking down N. Main St. towards Neiman Marcus, turn right right before the Rochester Big & Tall clothing store in the covered passageway and it will be on your right, a few stores down. Finds like this are why I like wandering around Walnut Creek as opposed to a typical suburban mall where everything looks the same.
These shopping cars are a perennial favorite among young children, and are available to rent for free at the Broadway Plaza Concierge next to Macy’s. It might be hard to spot but there is a black mesh bag under the handle to place shopping goods which is convenient for the adults. Note that you need to make a $20 deposit but it’s refunded when the car is returned.
Recently Crazy in Suburbia posted about plans for California Cafe to be torn down to make way for a “five-story mixed-use residential and retail project.” California Cafe was located next to the Lesher Center parking garage which reminded me of the Mercer complex across the street from Lesher Center. There were big plans for retail development at the Mercer, most likely to be anchored by a restaurant at the corner closest to the Lesher Center. It turns out to not have worked out quite as they imagined. After first getting the gourmet burger chain The Counter at the other end things were looking good. But it wasn’t until years later that a Mike’s Bikes occupied the prime corner across from Lesher. Now Mike’s Bikes is a very nice store, but I was a bit suprised that went in rather than a restaurant. As for the stores in between, 2 are unoccupied, and 4 are salons. No cafes, no convenience stores, but a great place to get your nails done I suppose.
I wonder if the developers who plan to redo California Cafe have taken into account what happened at the Mercer. Any thoughts on this?
“Coming Soon” as in, sometime in 2012, not next month. As noted in the summer issue of Walnut Creek Magazine, Anthropologie is coming to the former Mark Morris Tire shop located at Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Locust St. According to the Walnut Creek planning department it’s still undergoing design review.
This probably means Urban Outfitters on Olympic Blvd. is doing pretty well since they also own Anthropologie. This location is absolutely prime. Now I wonder what will go in the old post office that closed down last month a few stores away.
Thanks to a reader for pointing this out in this post’s comments.
No, not that kind of bar. This one will offer skin waxing services for men and women. Check out the complete list. I don’t think I want to know what a Vajacial is, but they offer that, too. From their website:
Stript Wax Bar is a salon dedicated to the art of waxing. We are devoted to delivering high quality waxing services using the highest quality products in a comfortable and clean environment. That’s why we decided to specialize in doing one thing and doing it well.
Stript Wax Bar is located at 1629 Cypress St, across from Extreme Pizza.
Updated exterior for upcoming Citra Grill restaurant
The Contra Costa Times reported today on how retail vacancy rates have fallen over the past year indicating increased vibrancy in the local downtown Walnut Creek area. They noted that a restaurant Opa will be located next to Prima which I reported on previously and later in the article wrote that
Such examples include the former Delle Stelle building on Main Street currently under renovation for a restaurant
This is the Opa restaurant they mentioned previously. Having casually observed the downtown Walnut Creek retail environment for many years, the one thing that can be said is that it’s always changing, with some stores closing, and new ones taking their place.
At the end of the article they note recently opened stores including La Boulange and the Giants Dugout Store. The small popcorn store in Broadway Plaza store Cornology can also be added to this list. They also note stores that will be opening next year, including a few I need to look into, “Farm to Table Cafe”, and “Nothing Bundt cake”.
The Duxiana bed store, (selling high-end Swedish mattresses), located at 1530 Locust St. in Walnut Creek has been closed since July, according to a copy of a handwritten letter posted on the door.
According to the letter, Duxiana stores are open in both San Francisco and Palo Alto, so if high-end Swedish mattresses are your thing, fret not! I think the handwritten letter is a nice touch in this day and age.
Colton Piano Gallery opened its doors last Friday on 1539 N. Main St. next to Radio Shack, replacing the sports memorabilia store Sports Gallery. Walnut Creek is now home to three piano stores within walking distance, Music Exchange and Sherman Clay. They carry all types of pianos from high-end Schimmels to more reasonably priced ones as seen below, as well as digital models.
Some of you may be thinking, wait a minute, Colton Piano used to be next to The Ballet School a few blocks away, but it turns out that the Colton Piano that closed had licensed the Colton name but was not part of the Colton Piano Gallery company that has been in business since 1955. So if you’re in the market for a piano, stop by the real Colton Piano Gallery and check out what they have to offer.