Photo by Unsplash user juja_han
With podcasts becoming more popular especially in Covid-19 times, it’s daunting to find new podcasts. My recent podcast listening playlist includes Fresh Air, Here’s the Thing with Alec Baldwin, WTF with Marc Maron, and Sway with Kara Swisher. What are some of your favorite podcasts?
Lyric, Walnut Creek
A new restaurant called Lita’s from Ay Madre! is coming to the Lyric apartment complex in downtown Walnut Creek according to a state ABC sign posted in the window. I’m not sure if it’s going to be called Lita’s or Ay Madre! but I believe this is the first store at this spot of any kind to open since the Lyric first opened in 2017. Blaze Pizza was supposed to open here but they never did. Stay tuned…
1561 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Last summer we learned that the consignment boutique Main Street Rags would be relocating within downtown Walnut Creek to Civic Dr. and they have now reopened. Check out their online shop here.
From their website:
Main Street Rags is a consignment boutique in Walnut Creek, CA established in 1986. MSR specializes in mint condition curated clothing & accessories for men & women, coupled with a unique, fun shopping atmosphere.
1352 Locust St, Walnut Creek
Albany-based 5 Tacos & Beers is “coming soon” to downtown Walnut Creek where Tender Greens used to be. Check out their menu here. The owner/chef Lito Saldaña founded the Los Moles restaurants in Emeryville, San Rafael and El Cerrito. Find out more about Chef Lito here.
From their website:
5 Tacos & Beers, reminiscent of the legendary yet humble taco stands that scatter throughout the corners of small towns in Mexico. We are bringing the same essence while substituting with the best ingredients available. Local organic produce, grass-fed beef and pork, and your favorite local brewers, for a fresh and authentic taste straight from the source of the bounty.
1321 Locust St, Walnut Creek
Thanks to a reader for sending word that Pleasant Hill-based Rooted Coffee Company is opening a second location in downtown Walnut Creek where Coffee Shop used to be. Look for a summer opening and check out their menu here.
From their website:
Our dream first started back in 2013 when we started selling coffee at local farmers markets. We were 1 year into marriage with no experience in coffee and only a few bucks in our pocket. We felt, and still feel, a drive to live out our purpose through positively impacting our local and global community. We spent 6 years at farmers markets perfecting our craft and honing in on our vision.
More and more schools are opening back up with health organizations encouragement as COVID cases decline. Are you planning to send your children back to school this month? If they are already back, do they like it? I can’t imagine wearing a mask all day at school, separated four feet from friends etc. Although that might be better than remote learning. Why my child has a remote PE class instead of English is beyond me. Couldn’t they just run around the block as an after-school activity instead of taking away valuable class time?
1355 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek Aesthetics opened their second location in Downtown Walnut Creek where Miracullum Spa used to be. Check out their services here.
From their website:
Established in 2020 by Shahdi Vakili and Mika Hill, Walnut Creek Aesthetics is one of the best med spas in Northern California. We provide the most advanced anti-aging cosmetic technologies and treatments.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Solstice Sunglasses, which opened over four years ago at Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek, has closed according to the Broadway Plaza directory page. According to this New York Business Journal article, they declared bankruptcy last month.
1389 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek
Burger Loft, which opened a little over a year ago in downtown Walnut Creek, has closed. According to their online menu page, their sister store is Bistro Burger & Grill in Lafayette.
With stringent lockdown enforcements throughout California causing many local businesses to take major hits, if not go out of busines, a recall movement effort is underway to remove Governor Gavin Newsom, who dined at the upscale restaurant French Laundry without wearing a mask. Should he be recalled or should he be applauded for saving lives?