The women’s direct sales fashion line Etcetera is having a trunk show at Orinda Theatre Square inside the Allison McCrady Fine Arts gallery next to Subway. Check out the fashion website here and the gallery website here.
3413 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
Thanks to a reader for sending word that the kids and maternity consignment store They Grow So Fast on Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette will be closing for good tomorrow. According to a letter posted in the store their rent was raised by 50% which caused them to leave after 21 years in business.
3620 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
A new contemporary art gallery called the Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery has opened on Mt. Diablo Blvd. in downtown Lafayette across from Diablo Foods. In addition to featuring the work of Jennifer Perlmutter and others, workshops and events will also take place which looks really interesting. Check out all the events here. Find out more about Jennifer Perlmutter here.
From their Facebook page:
Begin Where You Are. No matter your goals or desires, you have no choice to start where you are, look around and feel your moment and sense your life and determine what is of value to you, This is how we can approach our creative life and go from a “blank canvas” to a beautiful experience. This and more was the topic of my TEDx talk in 2011.
What most interests me about art and the process of creativity is the transformative power it can have in our life. Allowing creativity to flow opens up a doorway to unlimited possibility. For this reason I believe and teach that art has the power to heal. I have witnessed it and continue to witness it on this sometimes gut-wrenching and beautiful journey.
Come visit the brick and mortar studio/gallery in Lafayette, CA. We will launch our official opening Feb. 2014 3620 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Back in January I noted the Banana Republic remodel had begun in Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek and now there is a massive sign outside announcing that it will be opening next month in March.
1509 Cypress St, Walnut Creek
Back in December I noted that the French goods store Decors de France would be relocating to Cypress St. in downtown Walnut Creek and they are now open. If you are a fan of the French countryside this is a must-see. Their soap collection smells great, too.
Check out the inside:
Fragrant soaps:
1385 N. Main St, Walnut Creek
Back last September I noted that a new candy store called The Candy Counter would be opening up in downtown Walnut Creek on North Main St. and the signage is now up as they prepare for an early March opening. According to the owners there will be over 500 types of candy with plenty of sugar-free options.
45 Crescent Dr, Pleasant Hill
Last September I noted that the men’s boutique Atlas moved within downtown Walnut Creek and now Atlas is expanding to downtown Pleasant Hill and adding a women’s component called Athena which will be opening in the clock tower building on Crescent Drive.
From the Downtown Pleasant Hill website:
Atlas & Athena understands who you are because we are you. We are the fashion leader that doesn’t rely on designer names and prices to define us. We offer trend-right styles that have the Northern Cal guy & gal in mind and we focus on a wearable collection that brings newness and excitement to your wardrobe. We know by having a polished, put-together look makes for a better you-whether work or play, new romance or weekend in Las Vegas, we offer complete looks in an easy to shop format and superior service.
GRATiAE Skin Care opened a couple of years ago in Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek and they have now closed. Can’t wait until this side of Broadway Plaza reopens!
A new gift shop called ECHO grove featuring hand crafted items from around the United States is coming to Orinda Theatre Square this spring. Items will include handpicked jewelry, iPhone/iPad cases and more for both women and men.
From their website:
A few months ago, my wife and I decided to open a gift shop devoted to 100% handcrafted items from across the USA. The ensuing months have been a blast, attending craft fairs, meeting really cool people that are doing really cool things with natural and reclaimed materials, just generally keeping alive the spirit of distinctiveness in a world of mass produced individuality. Every day made us believe more and more that people in general are hungry for a dose of the real in this increasingly virtual world.
So yesterday we signed a lease on #112 at Orinda Theater Square in beautiful downtown Orinda, CA (Now with an extra bore, no more disappearing lanes). Our little shop will be a haven where you can come in, browse at your leisure and learn more about the individual artisans that make the amazing and useful gifts for women, men, kids, pets and your home.
Be sure to keep an eye on this space, as well as following us on Facebook and Twitter, as we build our little shop and just maybe bring back an appreciation for the craftsmen, the artisans, the builders and the artists that are the true stars of our crazy venture.
1675 Olympic Blvd, Walnut Creek
The Sports Authority-owned S.A. Elite store located at the corner of Olympic Blvd. and N. California Blvd. in downtown Walnut Creek will be turning into a regular Sports Authority in March. Apparently the focus on running and yoga was too specific so the change to a regular Sports Authority will broaden the base. Their running shoe selection will be cut but there’s always Sports Basement on Ygnacio Valley Blvd.
