2112 N. Main St, Walnut Creek
The dance club and bar WPLJ’s was sold in the spring and it looks like an interesting new bar called Retro Junkie Bar will take its place. Check out their Instagram page here and Facebook page here.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
It looks like Broadway Plaza may be getting a huge new gym in the remaining spot available across from Macy’s as Minnesota-based Life Time Fitness is in advanced talks with the owner of Broadway Plaza to come to the Bay Area. One source has indicated the likely spot if this does go through to be in Broadway Plaza. Check out their offerings including yoga, indoor cycling, kickboxing, pilates and more here. Stay tuned…
Orchards Shopping Center, Walnut Creek
Thanks to everyone for sending word and photos that San Diego-based Mike Hess Brewing is coming to the Orchards shopping center in Walnut Creek. It turns out that Mike Hess is a Northgate High graduate so I can see how they decided to open in this spot. Check out this Brewbound article for more information on Mike Hess Brewing, check out their beer selection here and find out more about their brewery here.
From their website:
As the city’s first production nano-brewery – and its 33rd brewery – opening in summer in 2010, Mike Hess Brewing quickly built a solid reputation for great beers and a unique brewery and tasting room experience. After outgrowing Miramar’s production, Mike, his wife Lynda and his brother Greg launched the North Park brewery, welcoming our first visitors in August of 2013 after 18 months of construction. The OB location, located just blocks from Dog Beach, opened in November of 2015.
Our tasting rooms are family and pet friendly, and are staffed by some of the best beertenders in the industry. Whether a beer geek or novice, our friendly staff will make you feel right at home and happily walk you through our lineup of truly hand-crafted, well thought out beers. We offer tasting flights, beer by the glass as well as packaged beer – bottles and cans – or a 32 oz canned “Purrowler” of any draft beer to take beer home with you if you like.
Orchards Shopping Center, Walnut Creek
Thanks to a reader for sending word and photo that Pancheros Mexican Grill, which opened late last year in the new Orchards shopping center in Walnut Creek, has closed. I believe this is the first store to close in the new shopping center. Word on the street is that an Indian restaurant may be opening here. Stay tuned…
Alamo Plaza
Rocklin-based W Salon Suites, which provides private salon suites for beauty professionals is opening a second location in Alamo Plaza where Richards Crafts used to be. Check out the types of services available here.
3206 Danville Blvd, Alamo
Earlier this year we learned that Lamorinda Pizza would be opening a second location in Alamo and they have now opened. Check out their pizza selection here, appetizers here and salads here.
From their website:
Lamorinda Pizza is owned and operated by Lamorindians John and Adriana McGrath.
We have been in the pizza industry since the 1990’s. We are passionate about making sure every customer has a positive experience when visiting Lamorinda Pizza.
Our key to a success; Quality, Consistency and Great Customer Service.
We use only the highest quality ingredients including Molinary meats and the finest italian cheese Grande. Our dough is made fresh daily and we roll out every pizza by hand.
3511 Golden Gate Way, Lafayette
Thanks to a reader for sending word about a new shop coming to Lafayette right next to the abandoned Park Theatre called r and t Bricks, The Lego Store. This is one of the tiniest spaces I’ve ever seen but appropriately enough I did see minifigures for sale. Stay tuned…
3596 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
The owner of the Peruvian restaurant Parada in Walnut Creek (and six other restaurants in the Bay Area) is opening a new Peruvian restaurant in Lafayette this September. Called Barranco, the restaurant will feature seafood, a ceviche bar, family-style tapas, rotisserie chicken, empanadas, classic Peruvian skewers, alfrajores and more.
This is where Baja Fresh Mexican Grill used to be, right near the BART station.
1385 N. Main St, Walnut Creek
Last week it was finally confirmed that the boba cafe T4 would be coming to downtown Walnut Creek where The Candy Counter used to be but intriguingly as you can see in the above signage Poke Salad will also be opening here as well. Poke Salad opened late last year across from Todos Santos Plaza in Concord, which just so happens to be located next to another new T4 cafe. Check out their menu here.
Considering Oke Poke will also be opening in downtown Walnut Creek, it looks like we have two trends, boba + poke so having it in one spot sure is convenient for the trend-setters.
Plaza Escuela, Walnut Creek
After Sports Authority closed in Plaza Escuela in downtown Walnut Creek last spring, Spirit Halloween opened a few months later and they are back again for a second year running. Check out their online offerings here.