3568 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
In March I noted that Traction Cycling was closing in Lafayette and it looks like a temporary pop-up art gallery has opened in this space on Mt. Diablo Blvd. called Dana Art Gallery.
3568 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
In March I noted that Traction Cycling was closing in Lafayette and it looks like a temporary pop-up art gallery has opened in this space on Mt. Diablo Blvd. called Dana Art Gallery.
261 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette
Last June I noted that J. Colleen Boutique would be opening in September in downtown Lafayette where Queen Bee used to be and opening day will be this coming Monday, September 2nd according to a sign in their window. Thanks to a reader for letting me know about the new signage.
From their website:
J. Colleen Boutique is an upscale women’s clothing, jewelry, and gift boutique that will open in September of 2013. We are a special blend of the posh, chic shopping experience of Barneys New York with the treasures of high-end designer consignment. Many of our products will be made from materials found locally and/or sourced from other conscious artists. We will also be offering vintage designer wear.
Local artists, as well as artisans from around the world, will make many of the products that we will be carrying at J. Colleen Boutique. Gift items such as jewelry, upscale vintage-ware, photography, and original artwork will be showcased once a month in a private reception for the artist, their family, and friends. As there are no other shops or boutiques in Lafayette with such an array of artisans, we see a perfect opening to introduce this style of visual and mercantile experience.
Interestingly the owner Julie Rubio is a movie director and producer. Check out her IMDB page here.
Back in early July I noted that the Lafayette Art Gallery Sculpture Garden was getting paved over for a parking lot to handle customers to the new restaurant Cooperage and as you can see from the photo above the sculptures are completely gone and the new boundary has been marked. There is hope that some of the sculptures will be moved the front and you can see one of them there now:
The Squirrel’s Coffee Shop will be closing on August 15th in downtown Lafayette. Located on Moraga Rd. in front of the Lafayette Park Plaza, it has been in business for close to 30 years according to a quote by the owner in the Lamorinda Weekly, which reported the closing. The neighboring stores (cleaners, thrift store, and temporary art gallery) are all gone as well so it looks like that section will get a facelift soon, followed by a higher-end restaurant and other stores. Check out the developer’s page for the Park Plaza shops here.
Check out the inside of Squirrel’s after the jump…
3545 Mt Diablo, Lafayette
Last month I posted about San Francisco-based Smitten Ice Cream possibly coming to downtown Lafayette and it looks like this is going to really happen. A source I spoke with recently told me that Cold Stone Creamery will close some time in August with Smitten possibly opening in November. The transition should be made easier since they are both ice cream shops.
Back in June I noted that the Twigs Floral & Art building was going to be demolished in Lafayette, and as you can see in the photo above it’s now gone, with only a lonely corner section standing for now. From this vantage point you can see straight through to Chow, although the parking lot that this will be turned into is meant for the Cooperage Grille, opening in November.
Tom Matousek Gallery
996 Moraga Rd, Lafayette
Friday, July 26th, 2013
7:00pm – 9:00pm | FreeThe last event in the gallery! Everything is moving out early August. Friday July 26th 7-9 PM at A Tom Matousek Gallery join us to view the photography of Peter Zayer and Tanya Rogers, with the The Aaron Larson Trio featuring Wes Casey on bass and Sputnik on drums. I’ll be showing my latest painting, “Unsquare Dance.” We will also have a silent auction of painted flower pots by the special needs Transition Students of San Ramon High (all donations will benefit the San Ramon High Transitions program).
Venture Men’s Goods
Spotted at Venture Men’s Goods in downtown Lafayette. From the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High:
Saranap Village
Thanks to a reader for sending word about a new development being proposed called Saranap Village to be located in Saranap between Lafayette and Walnut Creek. Check out the site plan here. Renderings can be found here. This mixed use development with apartments located above retail stores reminds me of what Broadway Plaza wanted to do with their redevelopment last year. What do you think of this new development? Will Saranap Village eventually become a destination location for shopping?
From their website:
Hall Equities Group is pleased to introduce an exciting mixed-use plan to create a branded area with the character and atmosphere of a vibrant neighborhood village.
Our proposed project design entails three distinct building components clustered around the intersection of Saranap Avenue and Boulevard Way. Buildings will consist of street-level retail shops with parking structures below and behind the retail stores. High quality housing will be constructed above the retail space in multiple levels. At present, we anticipate approximately 325 residences in three separate structures. Some of this housing would be for sale and some would be for rent.
Artists Market:
Lafayette Gallery
50 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette
Saturday, July 20th, 2013
11:00am – 5:00pm | FreeJoin us on Saturday July 20, from 11 am – 5pm for the third Artists Market of the season. Once again the gallery parking lot will be full of art, ceramics and lovely gift items.