The Orchards at Walnut Creek Delayed

March 19, 2015 11:30 am

Looks like the new owners of The Orchards shopping center in Walnut Creek have put the kibosh on development as no work has been done for a while now. According to Supermarket News, last December, “Safeway said it has completed the sale of its real estate development assets to Terramar Retail Centers.” Since the 24 acre plot located in the Shadelands Business Park at the corner of Ygnacio Valley and Oak Grove was owned by Safeway’s “Property Development Centers”, this means that the new owner is Terramar Retail Centers, not Safeway.

I’m speculating but what if Safeway is able to renegotiate their lease at Encina Grande across the street before Whole Foods takes over? That could mean that if Terramar eventually decides to restart The Orchards development with different stores then Whole Foods could move in to The Orchards!

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New Gateway Feature Rest Area Planned for Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek

March 19, 2015 8:30 am

Broadway Plaza rendering

A new “gateway feature” rest area is planned for Broadway Plaza at the corner of Newell Ave. and S. Broadway in Walnut Creek where the new parking garage is being built. This is directly across from Whole Foods and looks like it will be a nice area to take a break.

Broadway Plaza rendering

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Sephora Expanding in Broadway Plaza

March 18, 2015 8:30 am

Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek

The Broadway Plaza beauty supply store Sephora is expanding slightly on one side as the outside undergoes a facelift but they are still open.

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Coffee Shop Opening in Downtown Walnut Creek in April

March 17, 2015 11:30 am

1321 Locust St, Walnut Creek

Last month we learned that a new coffee shop, called, appropriately enough, Coffee Shop, will be opening in downtown Walnut Creek where Lift Lounge used to be and they are now planning for an April opening. According to their Facebook page they are now hiring. Check out their latest updates here.

From their website:

Located at 1321 Locust Street, in Downtown Walnut Creek. CS is a celebration of coffee creativity and an exploration into coffee roast styles from around the world. Whether you’re on the fritz and need a fix or if you are insanely coffee curious, we should have something for you.

Browsing their Instagram photos makes my mouth water, I can’t wait to check this out!

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Progress on 1756 Cole Condos in Downtown Walnut Creek

March 17, 2015 8:30 am

1756 Cole Ave, Walnut Creek

1756 Cole, which will be home to 12 condominiums in downtown Walnut Creek right next to the Mercer Apartments is progressing but no word on the completion date yet.

From their website:

Set amongst a sweeping view of Walnut Creek, the condominiums at 1756 Cole are both beautiful and well-designed for residents who seek the attraction of an easy, comfortable environment. Featuring details such as soaring 12-foot ceilings and decorator hardware, these spaces were created for those who love classic styling and first-class amenities. Inside your home, you’ll enjoy gourmet kitchens, sumptuous baths, spacious quarters, and breathtaking scenic views of the city and the mountains: everything you love about a large, suburban home set within a single-level, private condominium. Come see this luxury property for yourself by scheduling an appointment today.

Living area:

Raised panel entry door with designer selected hardware

Hand-set 12×12 inch tile entry floor

Expansive interior glass

Designer coordinated light fixtures

Abundant use of LED down lighting throughout residence

Raised and coffered ceiling areas per plan

Smooth drywall finish with radius corners

Engineered hardwood and designer carpet in selected areas

Eight foot raised panel interior doors with brushed nickel lever hardware

Sleek easy touch rocker switches

Custom trim baseboard and door casing

Soaring 9-12 foot floor ceilings per plan

Check out the rest of the features here.

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The Object & the Void – West Coast Metal Sculpture Exhibit through Apr. 12th at Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek

March 16, 2015 11:30 am

Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek

The latest Bedford Gallery exhibit, The Object & the Void – West Coast Metal Sculpture, has been showing for abot a month now and it’s still exhibiting through April 12th.

From their website:

The Object & the Void features four West Coast sculptors whose work reveals how both a sculpture and the void that surrounds it need one another to communicate ideas and concepts. The exhibition assembles sculpture and installations by renowned artists Bella Feldman, Linda Fleming, Clay Jensen,and Yoshitomo Saito. The artists work with metal media ranging from cast bronze to cut steel, to explore weight, balance, and how it can be used to portray a broad reach of visual imagery and ideas – including narrative, poetic, and abstract concepts.

Each of the exhibiting artists is well known for their masterful command of their media and inventive style. Clay Jensen forges austere structures in bronze inspired by his home state of Utah and the Bay Area’s dwindling urban environments. Linda Fleming and her “diagrams of thought” are colorful, patterned structures that suggest the presence of two realities existing at once. Yoshitomo Saito’s installation, 1000 Prayers, is a poignant installation of one thousand pine cones that comment on the series of natural disasters that have battered Japan in recent years. And Bella Feldman’s poetic work brings together metal, glass and found objects.

artists
Bella Feldman • Oakland, CA
Linda Fleming • Benicia, CA
Clay Jensen • Oakland, CA
Yoshitomo Saito • Denver, CO

Bella Feldman:

More photos of the exhibit after the jump…

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Friday Question of the Day – What Restaurant/Bar/Cafe would you MOST Like to See in Walnut Creek?

March 13, 2015 8:30 am

Photo by Flickr user shawnhoke

This week we learned that yet another pizza restaurant, Boca Pizzeria, would be opening in downtown Walnut Creek and a commenter suggested a reader poll about what restaurant/bar/cafe etc. you would like to see in downtown Walnut Creek.

I am so hoping someone realizes that what WC needs is not another version of something that already exists once (or twice or three times) already, but something else. Something that won’t disappear when trends change in a year or two. I would love to see a proper Irish pub, where folks can hang out, eat, drink, maybe listen to some live music, and generally stop stressin’ about the world.

If you had your pick what you most like to see? An Irish pub? Burmese restaurant? Tea house?

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Giant Macy’s Window Revealed in Broadway Plaza

March 12, 2015 8:30 am

Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek

For those following progress on the giant window that has been added to Macy’s during the Broadway Plaza renovation, the giant Believe poster has finally been removed to reveal the window. Interestingly, based on the previously featured rendering, it looks like only nine panes will be transparent.

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My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish, & I’m in Therapy! Playing at Del Valle Theater in Walnut Creek Mar. 12th – Mar. 29th

March 11, 2015 4:30 pm

My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish, & I’m in Therapy!:

Del Valle Theater
1963 Tice Valley Rd, Walnut Creek
Thursday, March 12th – Sunday, March 29th, 2015
$65

The two-time award winning: My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’m In Therapy created by Steve Solomon has met with rave reviews and great audience acclaim throughout the country.

Now one of the longest running one-man shows in New York history! It is an evening of hysterical comedy topped off with 30+ voices of the most hilarious characters and situations you’ve ever seen. All this brought to life by the comic genius of Author, Steve Solomon, starring Ron Tobin. Over 750,000 have seen and loved this show. This is a “don’t miss evening of side-splitting laughter.”

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Ramen Hiroshi Applies for Alcohol License in Walnut Creek

March 11, 2015 11:30 am

1633 Bonanza St, Walnut Creek

The new ramen spot Ramen Hiroshi that opened in January in downtown Walnut Creek recently applied for an alcohol license. It’ll be great to sip a cold brew while eating ramen! Check out their appetizer menu here and ramen menu here.

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