Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
In July we learned that Teavana would be closing in Broadway Plaza (and all other retails locations) in Walnut Creek and they have now closed.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
In July we learned that Teavana would be closing in Broadway Plaza (and all other retails locations) in Walnut Creek and they have now closed.
Willows Shopping Center, Concord
The Concord Planning Commission is holding a public hearing this evening which will consider an application for Massage Envy to open where Rick’s Rather Rich Ice Cream (and the spot next door) used to be in the Willows Shopping Center in Concord. I believe this is the first salon-type service to open at the Willows. Has there been anything like this previously?
2035 Salvio St, Concord
The very first Mom’s Touch chick and burger franchise restaurant from South Korea (with over 1000 restaurants) opened yesterday near Todos Santos Plaza in Concord where Wild Ox used to be. There is a new patio outside and the inside looks very nice. Prices are reasonable and with New Orleans/Korean style seasoning this is definitely something I want to try! Check out their menu here.
Lafayette Mercantile
The Marilyn Monroe Spa, which opened last year at the Lafayette Mercantile shopping center on Mt. Diablo Blvd, is switching from a franchise to a French-country inspired spa called Sanctuaire Spa on January 3rd. Check out their services here.
From a PR:
We are pleased to announce the exciting transformation of the former Marilyn Monroe Spa into Sanctuaire Spa, a French-country inspired sanctuary for your pampering needs. Sanctuaire will offer an all-inclusive SPA experience including refreshing hydrafacials , therapeutic massages, bubbling pedicures and more. Our competitively priced services featuringd Farm House Fresh (FHF) organic based treatments , will be sure to help you rejuvenate from the Holidays ! Come back and enjoy our saunas, team room and free parking all conveniently located in downtown Lafayette.
La Fiesta Square, Lafayette
Back in April we learned that after 41 years the women’s boutique Specialtees would be closing by year-end in La Fiesta Square in Lafayette and there are only a few days left before they close on December 31st. According to a sign in the window their online shop will remain open. Check out their online selection here.
20 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette
The Lamorinda winery Meadow View Winery is opening a tasting room inside part of the old “Hen House” where the vintage furniture shop Farmyard Darlings currently is in Lafayette. Farmyard Darlings will remain at this location and the tasting room is planning to be open on Fridays and Saturdays beginning late afternoon starting sometime in January. In addition to tastings, wine bottles will be available for purchase.
From their website:
Meadow View Winery is a Lamorinda winery focused on making the best wine possible from Lamorinda grapes by thoughtfully controlling practices from the vine to the bottle. We work closely with local growers in the new Lamorinda AVA who are also interested in producing top quality wine to obtain the best possible fruit and then carefully ferment, cellar and bottle to obtain the optimum expression of Lamorinda terrior. In 2016 we are working with five Lamorinda vinyards. Above, winemaker Bill English is with Doug Spear and Isabelle Ord (Isabelle’s Vineyard), our largest grower.
1401 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Walnut Creek
In June we learned that Union & Fifth, a high-end discount clothing reseller (with 75% of the proceeds going directly to the charity of the donor’s choice) opened a pop-up shop in downtown Walnut Creek and according to a sign in their window they are closing. You can still shop online at their website here.
Photo courtesy Performing Academy
1948 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill
Performing Academy (previously known as Lamorinda Theatre Academy) recently opened a third location in the old Fire House in Pleasant Hill on Oak Park Blvd. previously owned by Diablo Theatre Co. Find out more about Performing Academy and the owners here.
From a PR:
Lamorinda Theatre Academy (LTA), answering strong demand for additional classes and performance space to keep up with increasing student interest, announced plans to expand in Pleasant Hill by opening its third academy to be located at 1948 Oak Park Blvd, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523. The space, referred to in the community as the “Fire House,” was previously owned and operated by Diablo Theatre Company (DTC), formerly known as Diablo Light Opera Company (DLOC).
LTA’s Co-Founders and Artistic Directors, Rena Wilson and Renee DeWeese, are thrilled to be expanding their organization with a third location, and in a space that holds significant meaning for both of them. “It is here where we first became friends, artists, teachers, and managers,” DeWeese notes. “We would not be where we are today without this building and the team that came before us.”
Support for this acquisition is found all around. “The purchase process was extremely collaborative and smooth thanks to the hard work of DTC board members’ Stacey Sutter and Sherry Dorfman,” says Wilson. “DLOC founders and board members were happy the building would remain in the arts and felt they were ‘keeping it in the family’ with our ownership.”
The unique 5,100 square foot facility, named Diablo Performing Academy (DPA), will feature a collaborative artistic space – including a full costume shop – for artists to build sets, rent costumes, design props, hold classes, and rehearse for performances. The site is currently available for renters, and performance classes for DPA will begin January 2, 2018, joining the curriculum for their existing locations in Lafayette and Castro Valley.
Photo courtesy Performing Academy
Thanks to a reader for pointing out a video as seen in this KRON4 article about a woman appearing to get angry at a Starbucks customers for speaking Korean:
It is really sad this kind of behavior still happens and still happens here. Simply put it is unacceptable and inappropriate behavior. Apparently she thinks it is ok to behave that way in our community. Not a great representation of Walnut Creek.
Apparently it took place on “North California near Target”. Note: the above photo is from a different Walnut Creek Starbucks.
