1496 Newell Ave, Walnut Creek
Starbucks is the first store to open in the new Agora apartment complex in downtown Walnut Creek on Newell Ave. Around the corner California Pizza Kitchen will eventually be opening and located diagonally across is Pacific Bay Coffee Co.
The first person who lists all downtown Walnut Creek Starbucks locations (including those within other stores) gets a free BtC t-shirt.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
The men’s shoe store Allen Edmonds, which we learned would be coming to Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek last October, is getting ready to open soon as you can see by the newly revealed storefront signage. This is one of the last locations remaining to open in the newly developed front section. (Nespresso is the other remaining spot opening soon). Then there is the backside of Broadway Plaza with a whole new slew of stores getting ready to open over the summer.
Find out more about Allen Edmonds on their website here.
Family Arts Festival:
Shadelands Art Center / Civic Park Studios
Walnut Creek
Saturday, May 7th, 2016
10:00am – 2:00pm | FreeIt’s raining, but don’t worry! We’ve moved all of our wonderful activities inside.
We invite all youth and adults to make, create and explore at our Family Arts Festival! This event features activities for all ages, including live demos, art-making stations, vendors and music. Join us, it’s FREE and OPEN to the public!
SHADELANDS (111 N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek)
In addition to the art-making stations, enjoy music, vendors and a community art sale, make a baseball pennant or jersey with the Bedford Gallery, munch on popcorn, lunch at Street Dogs Food Truck, let the kids enjoy the bounce house and view our Youth Art Exhibition on display at the Shadelands Art Center.Open Studio and Demonstration Schedule @ Shadelands
• Printmaking Studio (All Day)
• Anime and Cartooning Studio (All Day)
• Glass Making Demonstration (All Day)
• Calligraphy Studio (10:00am to 12:00pm)
• Mixed Media Collage Studio (12:00pm to 1:30pm)CIVIC PARK (1365 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek)
Head over to Civic Park Studios to watch a LIVE throwing demonstration with Studio Manager Gregory Byard, a handbuilding studio with Rana Nassar and more!Attendants who visit both locations will be entered to win a tote bag full of goodies!
Celebrate National Public Gardens Day:
The Gardens at Heather Farm
1540 Marchbanks Dr, Walnut Creek
Friday, May 6th, 2016
10:00am – 3:00pm | FreeThe Gardens at Heather Farm is proud to announce participation with American Public Gardens Association for “National Public Gardens Day” on Friday, May 6, offering a schedule of free activities throughout the day. The Gardens invites visitors to share in this valuable community resource and experience the wonders of nature provided by its six-acre public garden and wildlife habitat nestled on a picturesque hillside in Walnut Creek.
According to the National Wildlife Federation, “fewer Americans have a connection to nature than ever before in the history of the U.S.” Public gardens, such as The Gardens at Heather Farm, exist to bridge that gap and help local communities share in the wonders of our natural world. The Gardens offers a place to learn about and enjoy an inspiring variety of flowers, trees and wildlife. A Youth Education Program provides natural science classes to over 15,000 local students, while an Adult Education Program offers lectures and workshops perfect for home gardeners and nature lovers. A series of garden beautification projects have recently been completed, with plans on the horizon to build a greenhouse that will enrich the garden and expand teaching opportunities.
Bring a picnic lunch, learn more about The Gardens’ organization and celebrate the wonderful world of gardening on National Public Gardens Day!
On Friday, May 6, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., visitors to The Gardens will enjoy the following free activities:
● 10-11 a.m. Spring Floral Arranging Demonstration by popular designer, Najat Nicola, using roses and fresh floral cuttings from The Gardens property
● 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Guided garden tours by trained volunteer docents
● 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Crafts & activities for kids
● Expert gardening advice from GHF Garden Manager, Brian Larsen
● Chance to win prizes including fresh floral arrangements, potted plants, membership, classes & more
● Complimentary refreshments
Check out the newish bike lane on Olympic Blvd. in Walnut Creek heading to Highway 680. The bright paint job is definitely an improvement but would you feel concerned riding between two car lanes so close?
Container Gardening and Growing in Small Places:
Walnut Creek Library
1644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek
Saturday, May 7th, 2016
10:30am – 11:30am | FreePresented by UC Master Gardener Terry Lippert.
Please join us as Terry inspires you to grow your own fruits and vegetables even with limited space. Terry’s presentation will cover building and preparing raised beds, conventional to unique containers for container gardening, and espaliered fruit trees. There will be time for questions and answers after the presentation. The talk is free and open to the public. Advance registration is not required, although suggested.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Last October we learned that Arhaus Furniture would be opening in Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek, and thanks to a reader for pointing out this Craigslist job post that mentioned, “the store is expected to open on June 22nd of 2016“. The Arhaus Walnut Creek web page indicates a July opening. Since the location will be on the backside of the plaza this means this section will be reopening within the next couple of months after having been closed for over two years.
1385 N. Main St, Walnut Creek
To all sweet tooths: sadly, The Candy Counter, which opened a couple of years ago in downtown Walnut Creek is closing by the end of the month. Unlike other sneaky, lawyer-approved closing sales, the sign outside indicates that everything is 50% off.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
The coastal lifestyle brand Coast by Coast, in collaboration with Lou & Grey, displayed their swimwear and lifestyle clothing from a 1972 VW bus in Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek over the weekend. Check out their website here. This was a fun and unexpected display to see at a giant shopping plaza such as Broadway Plaza. I hope this happens more often!
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
The backside of Broadway Plaza is getting ready to open soon and we now know that the shopping center has enticed plenty of stores to leave their downtown Walnut Creek locations for the shopping center, also located in downtown:
Is this hurting downtown Walnut Creek (outside Broadway Plaza) or is it helping downtown with all the new stores opening up?