Looks like plans for renaming The Pizza Place in downtown Walnut Creek have fallen through as it is now closed. According to a sign in the window it has been sold. Last month I noted that the store next door, SOFA a la carte also closed. Two stores down the iconic Walnut Creek jewelery and gift shop Ming Quong renewed their lease back in June, however there is an option to terminate the lease within 18 months so it’s possible all three storefronts could be combined into one store. Stay tuned…
The salad bar Fresh Choice has closed in downtown Walnut Creek at the corner of S. Main St. and Botelho Dr. According to the Mercury News all remaining restaurants have been closed:
Northern California restaurant chain Fresh Choice, known for its salad buffets and farm-to-fork ideals, has shuttered the last of its stores after failing to appease creditors and overcome a mountain of debt.
Will its successor California Choice take over? Stay tuned…
After several delays Kinder’s Meats & Deli has finally opened their second Walnut Creek location on Parkside Dr. (The other location is on Ygnacio Valley Rd) last Tuesday. Thanks to a reader tip that it opened! When I go I tend to order the chicken salads, tequila lime ribs and sweet potato fries which are great. You can see their menu here. They also do catering, and when I dropped by over the weekend they have a deal where you can get a free $10 gift card with a $50 gift card purchase. Any recommended dishes? I’ve been thinking about getting the marinated jerk chicken to cook at home.
Check out their meat counter:
Kinder’s is located at 1293 Parkside Drive in Walnut Creek.
Lots of progress going on in the Sprouts shopping plaza at the corner of Geary Blvd. and N. Main St. in Walnut Creek with Supercuts now open. Freebirds is officially opening today, and the Subway signage is up next to Supercuts, but the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf cafe is far from finished. One thing I did notice over the weekend is the awful parking situation which I previously worried about. It was so bad over the weekend as cars kept circling around and around that I had to park a few blocks down the street. Anyone else have a problem parking here?
Stelle Bistro, the Italian restaurant owned by the same owner as the now closed Caffe Delle Stelle a block away has finally opened up in the old Chili’s space which had been vacant for years on Locust St. in downtown Walnut Creek. You can check out their menu here. Some of the dishes I’d like to try are melanzane, chicken pesto, rustica pasta and paella marinera. Has anyone had a chance to check this place out yet? Any recommended dishes?
Open for dinner:
Stelle Bistro is located at 1403 Locust St. in downtown Walnut Creek.
Back in June when I noted that Eco Shoppe was closing in downtown Walnut Creek, I also mentioned that a mattress store may be opening up in its place, and it looks that tip was correct because this month the mattress store Sleep Number will be opening up on Mt. Diablo Blvd. around the corner from the Century movie Theater.
From their website:
The best sleep of your life begins with finding yourSleep Number setting. With our IndividualFit 3-D imaging you’ll see and feel how the Sleep Number® bed adjusts to you.
3D! I’m not in the market for a mattress but I think I may check this out. Sounds intriguing…
Way back in November of last year I noted that The Paint Palette was closing, and finally, after a year, they are no longer there. Note that this place is for sale, not rent. It’s located next to the Diablo Actors’ Ensemble Theatre and Peet’s Coffee in downtown Walnut Creek on Locust St.
Back in May I noted that Freebirds World Burrito would be opening in the Sprouts Shopping Center in Walnut Creek and they will now be opening on December 17th. There will be a soft opening event on December 15th from 11-2pm and 5-7pm where $5 gets you an entree, chips and drink with all proceeds going to a food bank and other charities.
Check out the inside:
Get there early for a chance to get free burritos for a year:
The first 25 people in line will get free burritos for a year (one per week), and apparently this is so popular that people will be camping out about now to get one of the coveted sports in line. Freebirds is located in the Sprouts Shopping Center in Walnut Creek next to the Habit Burger Grill.
Back in June I noted the opening of SOFA a la carte in downtown Walnut Creek on N. Main St. and they are now closed. A sign in the window notes that “custom work still available w/ SOFA U LOVE in SF.”
The iconic store Ming Quong is located right next door, and although they renewed their lease in June, I wonder what’s going to happen if another store or restaurant wants to expand, could be tough for Ming Quong.
The baby store The Right Start is closing in downtown Walnut Creek. Located across the street from the Container Store on Botelho Dr, they offered baby goods targeted to babies up to 18 months. They still have a store in San Francisco in Presidio Heights. Apparently the lease was going way up so they’re bailing by the end of the year.
Now for some interesting news. Word on the street is that this will be the new location for the stationery store Paper Source! Possibly opening this coming April. Stay tuned…
If you’re looking for some baby goods drop by as there should be sweet sales:
