
Spotted at the Clocktower shops in downtown Lafayette, this is a nice looking succulent garden pot.

Spotted at the Clocktower shops in downtown Lafayette, this is a nice looking succulent garden pot.

The historic Danville Hotel, Restaurant and Saloon on Hartz Ave. in downtown Danville is getting redeveloped and “replaced with approximately 35,000 square feet of new residential, retail and restaurant uses” according to the Town of Danville website:
The historic Danville Hotel structure and the McCauley House on Hartz Avenue will both be retained and renovated. Existing uses on the remainder of the 1.12 acre site will be replaced with approximately 35,000 square feet of new residential, retail and restaurant uses. The project will include 16 for-sale second story residential units, averaging 1,200 square feet in size.
Castle Companies, the current co-owner of the property, will be preparing more detailed project drawings for Design Review Board review over the next several months. This effort will be followed up by preparation of building and site improvement drawings for the planned construction in 2012.
Find out more about the project from the Danville Express here.


Back in August I noted that The Squirrel’s Coffee Shop was closing in Lafayette and it looks like the developer is moving quickly as the old Handlebar Toys location has been uncovered so it’s possible to see roof trusses inside. Take a look here to see what the Lafayette Park Plaza shops will look like when it’s finished.

Spotted in downtown Lafayette, this is a nice looking Ford Mustang convertible I think. If I had to guess I would say it’s from the 1960s. Am I right?

1385 N. Main St, Walnut Creek
A couple of weeks ago I noted that The Candy Counter will be opening soon on N. Main St. in downtown Walnut Creek and now there is a small window display of various candies that will be for sale.

Spotted at Spitz Jewelers in downtown Walnut Creek, the sign incorporates a diamond ring into the design, brilliant!

1388 Locust St, Walnut Creek
The restaurant Cypress has closed in downtown Walnut Creek. According to Diablo Dish a new restaurant with “lots of beers on tap” will be replacing it.
The Cypress Facebook page says:
Dear Cypress Guests:
Cypress Restaurant has been sold and is closed as of
September 16. We thank you for your loyalty and patronage over the past couple of years.
Gift Certificates can be redeemed at 1515 on Main St.
Cypress Management
Sign in window:


Spotted in downtown Walnut Creek at the Second to None consignment shop. I know I’ve seen this character before. Is it Disney related? Who is it?

1633 Bonanza St, Walnut Creek
The awning is now up at Cafecitos Cafe on Bonanza St. in downtown Walnut Creek. The opening can’t be far behind now, looks great! This cafe will feature South American cuisine, yum!

photo by Flickr user mr.donb
The Walnut Creek city council recently passed an anti-smoking ordinance prohibiting smoking in condos and apartments, all of downtown and more according to the Contra Costa Times:
The City Council passed a strict secondhand-smoking ordinance Tuesday night that bans smoking in all multiunit residences, all of downtown, all recreational areas and all commercially zoned properties where there are outdoor dining areas or outdoor service areas, anyplace within 25 feet of entryways and operable windows, and in all public places. The council made an exemption, however, that does not require public or private golf courses to be smoke-free. And it doesn’t outlaw smoke from medical marijuana.
Do you support this strict smoking ordinance for Walnut Creek?
