Spotted in downtown Walnut Creek on N. Broadway next to Zebra Tattoo and the Performance Bike store.
Spotted in downtown Walnut Creek on N. Broadway next to Zebra Tattoo and the Performance Bike store.
Right on the heels of Peet’s remodel last month, Starbucks was not to be outdone and closed last week for its remodel. As you can see by the above photo, they moved the cashiers and food section to another wall, and have the coffee prep/serving section where the cashiers used to be. This section no longer extends all the way to the wall, in order to free up space and an extra door at left (out of frame). A long communal wooden table (with electrical outlets underneath) takes up center space, with smaller tables on the periphery, as well as window seating.
In addition, they have added a high-tech coffee brewing system called Clover. I tried an iced coffee using Clover and it tasted great, although I’m more of a tea drinker so what do I know. Note that this is the only downtown Walnut Creek Starbucks with a Clover machine.
I’m not sure how much of this is marketing-speak, but they have an “exotic, rare & exquisite coffee” section behind the counter:
Overall I think this is a great remodel. It feels more open, with more and varied seating available plus electrical outlets to boot. The Clover machine will be great for coffee lovers, and the bathroom is really nice, too.
I’ve always had problems getting seating in Starbucks, and if I had to take a guess, I think they put in the large communal table to encourage people not to linger as long there as it feels less private. Note the back-less bar stools at the windows, probably not comfortable to stay too long.
Has anyone checked it out yet? Do you like it over Peet’s?
photo by Flickr user John-Morgan
Walnut Creek Open Space is hosting a large number of events this weekend just in time for Earth Day on Sunday. Here are the activities that will be held:
Saturday, April 21st
Sunday, April 22nd
From an email:
Diablo Ballet of Walnut Creek mixes beauty & ballet in a fundraising event for its PEEK Youth Outreach Program. Beauty, Body, & Ballet takes place on Thursday April 26th 6 – 8 PM at SkinSpirit Spa, 1647 North California Blvd. in Walnut Creek. Admission is free for 21 years and older.
In conjunction with Walnut Creek Magazine and SkinSpirt Spa of Walnut Creek, guests are invited to walk the red carpet into an evening of fun and glamour, where they can try the latest beauty cosmetics and treatments, enjoy wine and tasty appetizers, plus enter the drawing to win great prizes such as a Napa Valley wine tour, dinners at local restaurants, and more.
Proceeds from Beauty, Body, & Ballet will benefit Diablo Ballet’s acclaimed PEEK Youth Outreach Program, which brings in-school arts education to over 5,000 elementary school students in under-served areas of Contra Costa County each year. Congressman John Garrimendi recently awarded Diablo Ballet a state proclamation recognizing the PEEK Program for its invaluable service to the community.
Beauty, Body, & Ballet happens Thursday April 26th 6 – 8 PM at SkinSpirit Spa, 1647 North California Blvd. in Walnut Creek. Admission is free. Advance RSVP is requested by calling SkinSpirit at 925-952-9200. For more information, visit Diablo Ballet at www.DiabloBallet.org.
Walnut Creek gets Neiman Marcus, Lafayette gets Whole Foods, and Moraga gets… Dollar Tree. Before it opened last year, there was quite a debate as to whether it should be approved or not, but obviously it was, and the result is the store pictured above. Some people argued that it would lower property values while others proclaimed that it would increase tax revenue for the city, as well as supporting the notion of a free market.
So if anyone from Walnut Creek, Lamorinda and elsewhere is looking for a marijuana drug test, the Moraga Dollar Tree has you covered:
And if you just can’t find a masculine enough aftershave at Target or The Art of Shaving, come down to the Moraga Dollar Tree for this:
Any opinions on the Moraga Dollar Tree? Are you happy with how it turned out, or would you have rather waited for another retailer?
The digital signs around downtown Walnut Creek notifying people of the available spaces is a really useful service so people can try other garages that may have more spots available. This sign is next to the Broadway Plaza parking garage near Crate & Barrel. Does anyone know how long this has been there?
Previously someone commented on how the employee spots are on the first floor. Do people think the employee spots should remain there or be moved to the top floor, or to the top covered floor?
The musical Spring Awakening will have shows beginning tonight through May 13th at the Lesher Center. From their website:
Spring Awakening is the winner of eight Tony Awards in 2007 including Best Musical. The groundbreaking musical with its bold rock score is a universal coming of age story that tells the timeless story of teenage self-discovery and budding sexuality as seen through the eyes of three teenagers. Spring Awakening celebrates an unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with a power, a poignancy and a passion you will never forget.
Last month I noted how the women’s sportswear store title 9 is moving to Mt. Diablo Blvd, and yesterday saw that they are now open in their new location at 1637 Mt. DIablo Blvd, previously the Le Creuset store.
It’s been a while since I’ve been to the Orinda Theatre Square and I have to say it’s really coming alive with new stores and restaurants. A new florist is having a soft opening on Friday called Anahid Designs. They were originally located in Santa Monica, then San Lorenzo and the owner has been doing floral designs the past 12 years. They are available for weddings and special events.
Check out an example of their work:
The grand opening will be held on May 5th. Just in time for Mother’s Day.