Encina Grande, Walnut Creek
Whole Foods has finally opened where Safeway used to be in the Encina Grande Shopping Center in Walnut Creek. Located in a newly built building, it’s HUGE and looks amazing, with a long coffee, beer and wine bar as well as tables on the far side at front. The other day they had three brews from Berkeley-based Fieldwork Brewing Co. Aisles are spaced out wider than the cramped Lafayette Whole Foods which is nice. One interesting point are the registers. For small purchases they have ONE line with multiple cash registers so you won’t get stuck behind one that’s lagging. On the way out I spotted a mochi ice cream stand which you can see below. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a self-serve mochi ice cream stand before. Pretty cool!
