A couple of weeks ago I noted the closing of the Pizza Place in downtown Walnut Creek on N. Main St. The furniture store SOFA a la carte next door also closed in November and apparently a sushi place will be taking over according to Diablo Dish. Word on the street is that this will be a Chinese owned restaurant with at least one other location somewhere in the South or East Bay.
If this pans out do you like the idea of a sushi place here?
Back in November when I noted that the baby goods store The Right Start was closing I mentioned that Paper Source would possibly be opening up in April in this location and it’s looking more and more like this is going to happen. Paper Source is definitely opening a store in Walnut Creek in April based on their Jobs page here. Doing a search for zip code 9496 shows they are looking for an Assistant Store Manager, Shift Supervisor and Store Manager.
I had mentioned in September that Sunrise Bistro might be expanding next door where the frame store Art Form used to be, but it turns out that this space is being combined with the now vacant spot to the right, giving whoever moves in plenty of floorspace. Take a look at the inside below:
I would have thought Paper Source would be better off in Broadway Plaza or closer to downtown on the other side, but this location on the periphery makes sense since they needed more space, and jives with their Berkeley location on 4th Street which is also at the end of the 4th Street shopping area. Coincidence? We’ll see…
To support cancer patients Lazarex Cancer Foundation is having a charity chowdown at 1515 Restaurant for $50 this Sunday January 6th from 4 – 7pm. Price is $50.
Vice Ultra Lounge, the Walnut Creek night club on Arroyo Way, scene of several fights throughout the years leading to the city increasing enforcement by cutting hours and beefing up weekend patrols has closed. More on the closing at Crazy in Suburbia.
In the video above you can see the owner Matt DeLima talk sarcastically about how much the city “helped” him over the past four years Vice had been open.
This week Vice Ultra Lounge closed with the owner sarcastically ‘thanking’ the city for all the help throughout the years. That’s not surprising but a headline to an article in this week’s Lamorinda Weekly got me thinking. It’s titled, “I Do Not Like Going to Walnut Creek!” Lamorindans Share Their Concerns and Interests for 2013″. In the article, which you can read here, one Lafayette mom mentions how she doesn’t like going to Walnut Creek. Fine, not everyone likes everything, but why did the editors choose that the headline? I wonder.
For the question of the day I’d like to know what you really think of Walnut Creek as a suburban city. Is there something about it that bothers you? Or do you enjoy it with caveats? As for me I think Walnut Creek is a fun place to walk around with plenty of parks, trails, shopping and restaurants. Not to mention the best secret koi pond in the East Bay.
From the Lafayette Art Gallery:
Heart by Mariann Mortensen
Tokens of Affection
January 8 to March 9When it’s cold outside, come in and enjoy the warmth of Lafayette Gallery’s winter show “Tokens of Affection.”
You’ll experience the glow that comes from work created from the heart, including unique cards and gifts, ceramics, paintings, prints, glasswork, jewelry and photography, all created by local artists who love what they do. Valentines cards and more will arrive just in time for you to select and give to that special person.At the Lafayette Gallery you’ll always find a selection of art that includes contemporary, traditional, fun and sophisticated styles in a range of prices. So stop in at the Gallery, experience artworks that will warm your heart, and share the warmth with those who are dear to you!
This Saturday January 5th will be the last day for the the restaurant and lounge Petar’s in downtown Lafayette across from Chow. They have been in business since 1959 according to their website which would make this one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in the area. Apparently lease issues combined with less diners caused them to throw in the towel but it was a nice, long run. Diamond Dave, who has been performing at Petar’s for over 25 years will be performing there on Friday and Saturday night there for the last time. Note that this is not the end of Diamond Dave; he’ll be at Dan’s in Walnut Creek on the 10th.
Thanks to a reader for the tip (before Diablo wrote about it). Diablo Dish notes that, “some big-time restaurateurs that have expressed interest in taking over the prime Lafayette spot”. Who is going to miss Petar’s?
Hot Honky-Tonk Piano by “Hap” O’ Hallihan on the Ricky Ticky. Spotted at Rainbow’s End thrift store in downtown Walnut Creek. Anyone know the year?
Back last February I noted that the wax salon Stript Wax Bar opened with Lashfully in downtown Walnut Creek but now Lashuflly has the place to themselves as Stript moved to Lafayette across from Artisan Bistro at 1040 Brown Street in a comfy homelike building.
Slated to open next January, Eden Housing’s Lafayette Senior Housing is progressing nicely as you can see by the wood framing in the photo. Located at 3426 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in downtown Lafayette it will have 46 rental homes for lower income seniors. Seniors qualify if they earn between 20 – 50% of the Contra Costa median income. And to BBQ lovers out there note that this is located right next to Bo’s Barbecue.
From the developer’s website:
Lafayette Senior Apartments, Eden Housing’s thirteenth development in Contra Costa County, will provide 46 new affordable rental homes for lower income seniors. This exciting new community is conveniently located in downtown Lafayette in close proximity to transit and amenities. Lafayette Senior will be affordable to senior households earning 20% to 50% of the Contra Costa County Area Median Income, and will include 17 apartments targeted to seniors with physical disabilities.
Designed to create a healthy living environment, Lafayette Senior will include many sustainable features for energy and water conservation. Other highlights include an onsite manager’s unit, a community room that opens onto an outdoor patio and formal garden, two sunrooms that overlook a second courtyard, a computer learning center/library, an exercise room, and raised planters for resident gardening.
Residents living at Lafayette Senior will have access to supportive resident services designed to help them “age in place” and live independently for as long as possible.