3614 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Over a year ago we learned that Walgreens would be opening a new location in downtown Lafayette on Mt. Diablo Blvd. and things are progressing quickly with new signage up as you can see in the above photo. They are also hiring in a Craigslist ad here.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Last week we learned that J.Crew would be relocating across the street in Broadway Plaza and now it has been confirmed that the fragrance shop L’Occitane en Provence will also be moving to a new location within the Broadway Plaza redevelopment, right near Macy’s. Look for a November grand re-opening. Stay tuned for more Broadway Plaza openings and relocations…
1149 S. Main St, Walnut Creek
I was a little early with the scuttlebutt last April, but it’s finally happening; Barnes & Noble is closing this coming January in downtown Walnut Creek. According to the Contra Costa Times, Anthropologie will be relocating from their Mt. Diablo/Locust St. shop. As someone who frequently shopped and browsed here this is quite disappointing although judging from the empty shoppers in their huge video section I’m not entirely surprised. The nearest Barnes & Noble locations will be in Dublin and Emeryville. Swan’s Fine Books is also located a few blocks away on Locust St.
350 Park St, Moraga
At the beginning of the month we learned that Rheem Theatre would be closing due to a 60% increase in rent, partly in response to Moraga passing a historical preservation ordinance. However, a Go Fund Me Save the Rheem Theatre page was established which raised over $5,000 and announced, “the New Rheem Theatre will be operating for another 60 days to give time for the formation of a new nonprofit foundation within the Moraga community”.
According to the Town of Moraga website:
the community expressed overwhelming support to keep The New Rheem Theatre operating as a theatre. With a generous and cooperative spirit, the property owner and operator agreed to continue the Theatre’s current operations to allow time for all parties to resolve several key issues, including: terms to prevent the building from being demolished; a process to quickly work with the property owner, as the Town does with others, to determine appropriate development options for the remainder of his property absent an historic designation for the Theatre; and the formation of a Community Foundation to assist with funding for the Theatre.
According to this Lamorinda Weekly article, the long term vision would not have a historic preservation ordinance. “While the property owner can develop other areas of the property, Puri agreed not to demolish the theater building, so the need for the ordinance goes away, she [Town Manager Jill Keimach] said.”
What’s not clear to me is how does the property owner agreeing to not demolish the building mean there is no need for a historical preservation ordinance? It seems like a reasonable possibility that while the property owner remains the same, the rent will remain low, and when it’s eventually sold without a historical preservation ordinance, the new owner will tear down the theater for redevelopment. Or will the Moraga community foundation be able to raise enough money to purchase the property to preserve it as a movie theater?
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
In March we learned that the beauty supply store Sephora was expanding in Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek and the expansion and facelift are now complete with a much more impactful black and white design evident at front. Stay tuned for more Broadway Plaza news to come…
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
J.Crew is planning on relocating across the street within Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek right across from Banana Republic. According to my source, there will be a separate men’s store located next to the women’s and children’s store. Although the Broadway Plaza J.Crew store used to carry men’s clothing they no longer do so it’s good to see that men’s clothing will be sold once again.
1537 N. Main St, Walnut Creek
The girls and tween clothing store Un Deux Trois, that we learned would be coming to downtown Walnut Creek in May, has opened. Check out their website here.
Encina Grande, Walnut Creek
Back in April we learned that the stores between the new Whole Foods/Safeway and the new Walgreens anchoring the other end would not be demolished but would rather be getting a facelift. As you can see in the above photo the stores remain open while the redevelopment takes place on the front exterior. The second level where ACE is located is just for decoration though.
Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek
Thanks to a reader for pointing out that according to Macerich’s (the owner of Broadway Plaza) 2015 first quarter earnings report, the clothing store Zara, and Kit and Ace (active wear from the founder of Lululemon) are coming to Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek.
From the Kit and Ace Facebook page:
Kit and Ace designs contemporary luxury apparel, accessories and lifestyle products for men and women. Founded in Vancouver, BC, we have stores across North America and are opening locations internationally in 2015.
We believe in improving the perfect. Our speciality is luxury fabrics with technical properties that allow for easier care, greater comfort and increased functionality. We began with Technical Cashmere™ – machine washable cashmere designed to move with you throughout your day – and we will continue to innovate in both fabric and fashion design.
Check out the Kit and Ace website here. Check out Zara here.
A new cycling gym, Flywheel Sports, is coming to downtown Walnut Creek and will be located in the same building as CoreYoga Power, which opened in February on North Main St.
From their Facebook page:
It began with a simple idea. Make indoor cycling epic. An immersive experience for riders who want something more. Flywheel delivers the best 45 minutes of your day.
Flywheel was founded by a passionate team of fitness experts, dedicated to re-inventing the indoor cycling experience through camaraderie, technology, music and, most importantly, fun.
Led by a NY-based management team with extensive experience in branded sports and fitness ventures, Flywheel was developed by the best in the business, including creative director and legendary indoor cycling instructor Ruth Zukerman.
