Life is strange. Massive lines at grocery stores. People wearing masks with social distancing warnings plastered around trails. If someone told you a year ago this would be the norm, how would you react? You’d think they’d be joking, right?
Life is strange. Massive lines at grocery stores. People wearing masks with social distancing warnings plastered around trails. If someone told you a year ago this would be the norm, how would you react? You’d think they’d be joking, right?
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Last month we learned that Plaza Escuela in Walnut Creek closed their benches to encourage social distancing and now Broadway Plaza is getting into the act with the recent closure of the patio next to the Apple store.
“The Future is Bright”
—J.Crew
Is the future really bright for private equity-owned J.Crew, the clothing store who declared bankruptcy last week? I don’t know, let’s ask other private equity owned stores like Toys “R” Us, Sports Authority, and Gymboree.
261 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette
It looks like Lafayette is getting a new Japanese restaurant with Kiku Sushi coming to Lafayette Circle right next to Back to the Table cooking school. Stay tuned…
It’s been weeks since most retail stores were last open, and while Bay Area stores won’t be opening this week, it’s obvious they’re going to eventually reopen before a vaccine becomes available. I already shop at Target trying to snag some toilet paper and sanitizing wipes, and do feel safer now that everyone is wearing masks inside the store. When I get to my car I immediately slather my hands with sanitizer, take off my mask, more sanitizer, wipe down my phone, and am on my way. I’ve gotten used to the routine by now and feel more comfortable although I know you can never let your guard down.
You may have a problem getting into Neiman Marcus, but once retail stores reopen, do you plan on going shopping for clothing, electronics etc. even though a vaccine won’t become available for a while?
Last month we noted that Plaza Escuela taped off benches in response to the coronavirus pandemic and only a short time later some of the tape has been ripped off. Looks like some people really want to get back to normalcy and are chafing at the restrictions.
This month saw the loosening of the shelter-in-place order towards outdoor activities with skate parks now allowed to operate. I dropped by a local skate park and observed about ten kids hanging out within inches of each other, none wearing face masks.
Imagine just one of these kids asymptomatically carrying the virus, spreading it to the other kids, who then go home and unknowingly spread it to their families. I guess we’ll find out in a few weeks how things are going to turn out…
Trinity Ave, Walnut Creek
A few years ago we learned about a new condo complex going up in downtown Walnut Creek called Three by Lenox Homes, and as you can see in the above photo, lots of progress is being made. Check out all of the 2 bedroom/2 bath plans here. Prices start in the LOW $1M’S.
A new sign recently sprouted around downtown Walnut Creek exclaiming “WE’RE OPEN – Support Walnut Creek Businesses” and it looks like thanks to the nice weather and quarantine exhaustion, more and more people are venturing out. Both Lottie’s and San Francisco Creamery had lines with people looking to get their ice cream fix outside. This is definitely the busiest I ‘ve seen downtown Walnut Creek since the quarantine began in a couple of months ago.
