2070 Salvio St, Concord
Yesterday we learned that CREAM would be having a grand opening this Saturday, March 5th but thanks to a reader who sent word (and photos) that they have opened. Also note that on Saturday between 12 – 6pm there will be free ice cream sandwiches (and temp. tattoos)!
From their Facebook page:
Come celebrate the Grand Opening with us on Saturday, March 5th at Noon to 6 pm.
Enjoy:–FREE ice CREAM sandwiches
-Live DJ
–Temp. Tattoos
-Balloons
and MORE!
The Village, Walnut Creek
Last month we learned that Pacifc Bay Coffee Co. closed temporarily for remodeling at the corner of Newell Ave. and S. Main St, and diagonally across in the new Village development you can see the Starbucks “Coming Soon” sign up so it looks like this will be the first place to open in the new development. The is the same development where California Pizza Kitchen will be relocating to around the corner.
500 Hartz Ave, Danville
From Diablo Dish we learn that the Asian-fusion restaurant Amber Bistro has closed on Hartz Ave. in Danville. Stay tuned for a new “farm to table” restaurant called Almanac opening in this spot this spring and check out renderings of the inside on the architect’s Facebook page here.
1275 S. Main St, Walnut Creek
Thanks to everyone for pointing out this San Francisco Business Times article about Napa-based Gott’s Roadside opening their first East Bay location in downtown Walnut Creek by year’s end. Last November we learned that Fresh Choice closed and this is where Gott’s Roadside will open. Look for the remodeled building to provide more outdoor seating. I have enjoyed their soft serve ice cream many times when I’m in the Ferry Building in San Francisco and look forward to trying more dishes once they open here.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
A couple of weeks ago we learned that the fashion store Vince Camuto would be opening soon in Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek and they have now opened. As you can see in the photo below the Broadway Plaza location features designer women’s handbags, clothing, shoes and accesories. Note that full-priced items are 15% off with code WALNUT15 through March 19th.
10979 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito
One of the most interesting and eclectic places to visit in the East Bay is Playland Not-at-the-Beach, an amusement center featuring pinball machines from various eras, vintage penny arcades, carnival games, dioramas and more in a 9,000 sf building on San Pablo Ave. in El Cerrito. For $15, ($10 for kids), you can actually play and use all the pinball, carnival and arcade games all-day. Note that they are only open on weekends and if you have small kids, beware of Laughing Sal, an old animatronic character used to “attract carnival and amusement park patrons to funhouses and dark rides throughout the United States.” It may be extremely scary to kids and annoying to adults. Check out the video of Laughing Sal after the jump to get an idea what it sounds like. Opposite Laughing Sal is the carnival games section where you can get tickets for winning games which can be traded in for a used toy item. As someone who played pinball machines as a kid I had a blast playing games I hadn’t played in decades. My kid ended up enjoying playing a baseball pinball machine from the 1930s! Check out the Playland Not-at-the-Beach website here. Get there early to beat the crowd.
From their Facebook page:
Playland-Not-at-the-Beach is a temperature-controlled 9000-square foot building chock-full of amazing things to see and do. There are 30+ pinball machines set on Free Play, arcade games, videogames, carnival games of skills where you can win prizes, penny arcades full of antique amusement devices, live magic shows, an amazing hand-carved miniature circus, side show acts, miniature dioramas, Fascination games, and historic exhibits with artifacts from the Sutro Baths and Whitney’s Playland in San Francisco.
Plenty more photos plus a Laughing Sal video after the jump…
3116 Oak Rd, Walnut Creek
A couple of years ago Mika’s Japanese Cuisine opened next to the Park Regency Apartments in Walnut Creek and they have now closed. Look for a new Japanese restaurant, Kama Sushi, to open in this spot. Stay tuned…
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Last August we learned that NYX Cosmetics would be coming to Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek and they are getting closer to opening as you can see from the newly revealed storefront and signage.
San Miguel Center, Walnut Creek
Thanks to a reader for sending word that the Taco Bell in San Miguel Center in Walnut Creek will be closing with their last day being this Thursday, February 18th. Stay tuned to see whether Dunkin’ Donuts will be replacing them…
2895 Contra Costa Blvd, Pleasant Hill
A couple of weeks ago we learned that four Navlet’s Garden Centers would be replaced with Sloat Garden Centers and they are all now open according to this Sloat Garden Center page. The four locations are in Concord, Danville, Martinez and Pleasant Hill. Above you can see a photo of the Pleasant Hill store.