3413 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
The Karate & Fitness Place closed in February in Moraga and they have reopened in Lafayette. Check out their website here.
3413 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
The Karate & Fitness Place closed in February in Moraga and they have reopened in Lafayette. Check out their website here.
Downtown Pleasant Hill Shopping Center
Thanks to everyone who sent word that Pasta Pomodoro has closed in the Downtown Pleasant Hill Shopping Center on Crescent Drive. Quite a number of new restaurants have opened in this shopping center lately so the competition for diners must be fierce. Also thanks much to the reader who sent in the photo.
3416 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Taylor & Jacobson Custom Jewelers is coming to the El Diablo Forge building in Lafayette next to where the Lafayette Art Gallery used to be. Check out their online gallery here.
From their website:
Catherine Galloway, the current owner and chief designer, has been in the jewelry business for 30 years. From working at the bench producing jewelry for other designer, to teaching the jewelry arts to hundreds of students, to running her own business, she has vast experience in many aspects of the jewelry business.
1552 Locust St, Walnut Creek
In August we learned that the Japanese restaurant Izakaya Jun closed in downtown Walnut Creek, with a replacement coming “one month later”. The new restaurant will be called Kurumi Sushi & Grill, opening the following week, and will serve very similar dishes that were available at the previous restaurant. That’s because the new owner was a chef at Izakaya Jun. I have confirmed that yaki onigiri (grilled rice balls) will still be available which means I’ll be back for sure.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
After being gone from downtown Walnut Creek for over two years, the stationery and greeting card store Papyrus is back in downtown Walnut Creek, this time in Broadway Plaza. If you need a greeting card, this is the place to check out. Don’t forget that Paper Source, a much larger stationery store is also located in downtown Walnut Creek, a short walk away.
1950 Market St, Concord
The game store Black Diamond Games recently expanded their game center to a two-story section in the back of their shop located near Fry’s Electronics in Concord. According to their website they sell “board games, trading card games, collectible miniatures, and classic games like poker and chess”.
When I dropped by I was amazed by the variety of games available. Even their playing cards are fascinating. (Take a look at the photo after the jump to see what I mean.) They also have life-sized knight armor on the second floor. When I dropped by the game center in back I was amazed at how intricate the models were. Check out their schedule here to see what events and games are being played. If you’re interested in the business side of board games check out the owner’s blog here which is quite an interesting read.
They’ll be hosting a grand re-opening party on November 5th. For more information click here. If you or your kids are interested in games definitely stop by and check this place out!
More photos including the game center after the jump…
250 Buskirk Ave, Pleasant Hill
Maryland-based Total Wine & More opened their first East Bay location today in a giant, 20,000 s.f. store where Office Depot used to be, a couple of stores down from Best Buy in Pleasant Hill. In addition to a huge selection of wine, beer, and spirits, they also feature a humidor room with plenty of cigars.
In the back is a classroom section where you can sign up for classes to learn about specific types of wine or beer which lasts 90 minutes and includes samples for about $20 – $40 per class. It will also be possible to book the entire meeting space for business, community and social events for free when not in use.
There are separate wine and beer tasting areas available to try for 10 cents. Old world wines are organized by country whereas new world wines are grouped by varietals. In addition, there are separate sections for “highly rated”, and descriptions such as “elegant & soft”, “big & robust” and plenty more types to make it easy to find the perfect pairing for your meal. As for beer, they offer a huge variety of international and local brews, and have a keg section in the back that you can check out as well. (See the photo of the kegs after the jump).
More photos of the inside after the jump…
1041 Market Pl, San Ramon
Back in August we learned that Sports Basement would be coming to San Ramon where Orchard Supply Hardware used to be and they have now opened.
La Fiesta Square, Lafayette
Earlier this month we learned that juice, meal and snack shop Urban Remedy opened in downtown Walnut Creek, and yesterday they also opened in La Fiesta Square in Lafayette. Check out their meals and snacks here and juices here. Drop by the grand opening this Saturday, October 29th from 10am – 2pm and get a free juice, meal or snack. In Walnut Creek I tried the “Vegan Caesar with Cumin Chickpea Croutons” salad and cacao chip bar and thought it tasted great so yay for Lafayette!
More photos of the inside after the jump…
Green Valley Shopping Center, Danville
Thanks to a reader for pointing out the new Coming Soon signage up for the Smart & Final supermarket opening in the Green Valley Shopping Center in Danville. Has anyone been to this supermarket? How does it compare to Safeway?