Anthropologie Opening Sept. 14th in Downtown Walnut Creek

August 28, 2012 8:30 am

Anthropologie is opening Sept. 14th according to a comment left on my previous post about the progress at the Mt. Diablo Blvd. & Locust St. location. The sign is now finished, and spot lighting has been added so it’ll be visible at night. And the fencing is now gone! You can stroll by to check out the progress inside since they haven’t blocked the windows (for now).

Check out the massive glass walls:

Looks like the side section will have some primo parking spots:

Those door handles at the front entrance are pretty cool:

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Walnut Creek Baking Company Closing Aug. 31st

August 27, 2012 11:30 am

When I read that the owner of the Walnut Creek Baking Company Denise Vickers couldn’t come to an agreement with her landlord for a new lease and was going to sell the business to her landlord, my jaw dropped. What on earth is going on here?! So I dropped by over the weekend and saw these posters for a Customer Appreciation Celebration on August 31st from 8-11am. I naively thought that the issue had been resolved amicably and the bakery was saved. Wrong. That is the last day that the bakery will be open. After that it’s closing for good. There are currently no plans to move the bakery elsewhere.

In May I noted that the owner Denise Vickers recently published a cookbook titled, The Walnut Creek Baking Company Cookbook. They have been in business for 10 years now and have been the winner of Diablo’s Best of the East Bay since 2003 according to a sign on their window. I have had my fair share of the bakery’s pastries and cookies and can attest to delicious work they do.

Here’s a final look at the inside of the bakery:

This is terrible news that they are closing. I’m still hoping that this mess can somehow be averted so it can stay in business in downtown Walnut Creek. Who else is a Walnut Creek Baking Company fan?

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Cake Opening in Downtown Lafayette Early September

August 22, 2012 11:30 am

Yesterday I noted that the Teacake Bake Shop had closed in Lafayette, but soon there will be a new bakery called simply, “Cake” opening in early September according to a comment left on yesterday’s post.

The post goes on to say:

The pastry chef, Andrea Quinn, has worked at some of the best restaurants in the bay area (like Rivoli and Bay Wolf) and had her own very successful bakery in Kauai for years. I have drooled over her creations for years and am thrilled that she is opening up so close to home.

Check out the photo updates at their Facebook page here. I’m going to definitely drop by when this place opens. They will be located in La Fiesta Square in downtown Lafayette.

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Teacake Bake Shop Closes in Lafayette

August 21, 2012 11:30 am

When it comes to bakeries, what Lafayette giveth, Lafayette taketh away. That’s right, the cute Teacake Bake Shop, located at La Fiesta Square in downtown Lafayette has closed. Don’t worry though, looks like a new bakery is coming soon. Stay tuned…

You can still pickup a Teacake cupcake in Emeryville.

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TULIP, Baby & Kids Boutique Opening in Downtown Lafayette Aug. 25th

August 21, 2012 8:30 am

Back in March I posted that the children’s store Red Wagon was closing this summer (the scuttlebutt about a children’s store from Piedmont moving in was right!), and now a new children’s store is opening in its place called TULIP, a baby and kids boutique.

From their website:

Tulip will offer the best retail items for baby and kids. Tulip is a new business venture by Jen Frick, a mother of 3 and founder / owner of The Tulip Grove, an education resource for expectant and new parents offering classes, support groups and advice clinics. Tulip will offer the best retail items for baby and kids. At Tulip, you will find a specific collection of products that are “by mom – for mom” focus.

Opening day is this Saturday, August 25th:

According to the owner, they used to have other retail locations which they have now moved to the new Lafayette store, and they still have a new parent resource center called Tulip Grove in Oakland. More information can be found here.

Sounds like a fun opening day so stop by if you have young kids! TULIP is located at 3535 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in La Fiesta Square, Lafayette.

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Cafe Pica Deli Opens in the Downtown Walnut Creek Library

August 14, 2012 11:30 am

Back in March I noted that a new cafe was opening this summer within the downtown Walnut Creek Library, and Cafe Pica Deli finally opened last Friday. Their original deli is located in Concord.

Check out some of the dishes:

Cafe Pica Deli has a large Peet’s Coffee selection, as well as offering soups, sandwiches and salads, in addition to various snacks.

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Another Starbucks Opening this October at Broadway Plaza Macy’s in Walnut Creek

August 10, 2012 11:30 am

Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek currently has one Starbucks near California Pizza Kitchen, and a new Starbucks will be opening this October inside Macy’s according to signs plastered all over the construction area. Considering that most of the cafes are on the other side this makes sense, although I personally would have preferred a different chain like Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, but I can’t say I”m surprised. Starbucks is everywhere.

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Tangelo Frozen Yogurt Opening this Saturday Aug. 4th in Moraga

August 3, 2012 11:30 am

Back in May I noted that Tangelo Frozen Yogurt was ‘coming soon’ to the Rheem Shopping Center in Moraga, and if everything goes as planned it looks like it’ll be opening up this Saturday, August 4th. Check out their Facebook page here which has photos of the progress inside. When I took a peek yesterday they were trying the frozen yogurt in the back of the store (if you look closely you can see them in the above photo). Walnut Creek has plenty of frozen yogurt options inlcuding Coco Swirl, Blush and Yogurtland in Walnut Creek, but this will be the only frozen yogurt shop in Moraga. Tangelo Frozen Yogurt is located at 384 Park St. next to Lamorinda Pizza in Moraga.

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Pelican Rock Men’s Clothing Opens in Downtown Walnut Creek

August 2, 2012 8:30 am

Pelican Rock, the new men’s clothing store that I noted about last month is now open in downtown Walnut Creek. I checked it out and it has a preppy, yet casual East Coast vibe, stocked with brands like Southern Tide, Gant, and Vineyard Vines, not typically sold around here. Decorated in a cool maritime style, the high ceilings gives it a spacious feel overall.

Check out the inside of the store:

And another inside shot near the entrance:

Pelican Rock is located in a prime spot next to Papyrus and Main St. Rags at 1378 N. Main St, right near Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.

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Sichuan House Opens in Countrywood Shopping Center in Walnut Creek

August 1, 2012 11:30 am

About a month ago, Sichuan House, a new Chinese restaurant owned by a partner at the well-regarded Sichuan Fortune House in Pleasant Hill, has opened in the Countrywood Shopping Center in Walnut Creek. I ate at Sichuan Fortune House recently and thought it quite good, especially the claypot chicken, so I’m really looking forward to checking this place out. When I entered just to check it out, one person, without any prodding started raving about how good it was after deciding to come here instead of nearby Sorrento Italian restaurant. Has anyone eaten here yet? What are the must-have dishes?

Sichuan House is located at 2064 H Treat Blvd. in the Countrywood Shopping Center in Walnut Creek.

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