413 Railroad Ave, Danville
The popup shop Cashmere Sale opened again this holiday season in Danville and will be open through December 12th. Check out their online collections here.
Last weekend as I wandered around town I noticed some people wearing dust masks trying to protect themselves from the smoky environment due to Camp Fire, the most destructive wildfire in California history. On the other hand I saw others, some walking with their children, as if it were a typical weekend shopping day. Every day since then has become progressively worse with many schools closed and events cancelled today. I came down with a cold this week but can’t tell if my coughing is from the cold or from the environment. It does seem really bad outside, right?
How are you coping with all this smoke? Do you wear a mask outside? If so, is it the recommended N95 type? Try to stay indoors more? (I read that many indoor places don’t provide much protection either!) Is this going to become more common in the future?
Broadway Plaza
Sunday, November 18th, 2018
11:00am – 5:00pm | FreeCome shop 20+ local artists (jewelers, candles, organic body, home goods, apparel, artwork, glass, succulents) while listening to live music out in the Plaza and then enjoy spirits and bites (in our new store at 1254 Broadway Plaza)
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
The mattress company Tempur-Pedic is opening a showroom at Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek.
From their website:
It’s Like No Other Mattress. That’s because TEMPUR® material is not typical memory foam. Our proprietary formulation changed the way the world sleeps. TEMPUR material responds to your body’s temperature, weight and shape for truly personalized comfort and support. As it conforms to your body, TEMPUR material minimizes pressure points that keep you awake. TEMPUR® material dramatically reduces motion transfer so your sleep partner’s movement won’t disturb you.
As a local business, you may not have access to professional designers but please take care in choosing the fonts to be used on your signage, mailings, merchandise etc. If you’re considering using the Papyrus (or Comic Sans) font, please view this video a few times before making a decision…
Christine O’Brien: Crave: A Memoir of Food and Longing:
Rakestraw Books
3 Railroad Ave, Danville
Thursday, November 15th, 2018
7:00pm | FreeChristine O’Brien’s memoir, Crave: A Memoir of Food and Longing, is one of the most buzzed about of the Fall season. Please call us at 925-837-7337 to make your free reservation for this event.
Lafayette Mercantile
In September we learned that Philz Coffee would be opening Thanksgiving week at the Lafayette Mercantile and their signage is now up and will be definitively opening next week on November 19th. Check out their store menu here. Are you ready to try their Mint Mojito iced coffee?
La Fiesta Square, Lafayette
The women’s clothing boutique Harper Greer “Curvy Style for Every Woman” has relocated to La Fiesta Square in Lafayette and is now open. Check out their online catalog here.
Lesher Center for the Arts
1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Saturday, November 17th, 2018
10:00am – 5:00pm | FreeEach year, Bedford Gallery brings together local, independent makers and designers producing the finest handmade crafts, jewelry, ceramics, textiles, home goods, artisanal foods, clothing, and more for a pop-up shop in the gallery. Craft Fest has become an annual tradition for Bay Area shoppers looking to find unique items and gifts.
City Center Bishop Ranch, San Ramon
A new shopping center called City Center Bishop Ranch opened in San Ramon on Bollinger Canyon Rd, across from Shops at Bishop Ranch. There are currently 29 shops, restaurants and a gym listed on their directory, including Berkeley-based Fieldwork Brewing Company (which was PACKED), with Slanted Door and Roam Artisan Burgers opening later this year followed by Ramen Hiroshi, MIXT, Curry Up Now and more eateries opening next year. The place I most wanted to try, Boba Guys, is soft open on weekdays only until their grand opening December 1st. The LOT, a 10 screen movie theater and restaurant will be open in a couple of days, As for stores, West Elm, Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Athleta, Candle Delirium and smaller boutiques are open now with Anthropologie opening next spring. The gym Equinox is scheduled to open by year end.
The two story rectangular shopping center features a plaza in the center with a grass play area for children (not dogs) with large building blocks, a patio with a water play area for children, and a separate area with seating where live music may be performed. Some interesting aspects of the mall are the food trucks stationed right outside, as well as the falcon to scare off problem birds. (See photos after the jump for a closer look). The parking garages are hidden inside which is a nice touch; just note the stores when you enter the mall so you’ll remember how to get back to your car!
How does City Center Bishop Ranch compare with recently built or remodeled local malls such as Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek and The Veranda in Concord? There are quite a few similarities and differences among the malls but as I strolled down the second floor pathway looking at the stores on the other side on both levels it reminded me a bit of Sunvalley shopping center in Concord, only outdoors. Unlike Broadway Plaza where each store has its own look and feel, all the stores at City Center Bishop Ranch have huge windows with only the store signs having their own design. That will make it much easier as new stores get replaced, but far less interesting.
As you can see from the photo of the outside, some might see a volume “floating” over the street level, as noted by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop while others might view it as a monolithic monstrosity in a box. The inside fares better with the plaza at center, however it’s still quite monotonous throughout. Nevertheless, with numerous eateries, a movie theater, shops and boutiques, it will no doubt become a popular shopping destination. I know I’ll be back, if only for a Boba Guys drink.
More photos including the falcon, food trucks and stores after the jump…
