Shopping – Page 156 – Beyond the Creek

Pop Up Alert – Lesley Evers Boutique Opening May 14th in Lafayette

May 8, 2013 8:30 am

Back in February I noted the closing of baby/kids store Tulip in downtown Lafayette and a new pop up fashion boutique featuring designs by Lesley Evers will be opening in this location on Mt. Diablo Blvd. next Tuesday, May 14th according to the La Fiesta Square Facebook page. They also have a boutique in Rockridge on College Ave, and their clothing is made in the USA. Learn more about Lesley Evers here.

From their website:

Crisp colors, bold graphics and artful fabrics, combined with clean lines and a meticulous attention-to-detail are the hallmarks that make the Lesley Evers both modern and nostalgic.

Inspired by a mid-century aesthetic, our original, signature textiles and designs are described as classic, feminine, and playful, with a nod to the 1960s and 1970s.

Giant poster of a mid-century inspired look:

The Lesley Evers pop up boutique will be located at 3535 Mt Diablo Blvd. in downtown Lafayette in La Fiesta Square.

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The Baker’s Box Opens in Walnut Creek at Liberty Bell Plaza

May 7, 2013 11:30 am

The bakery The Baker’s Box has recently opened up shop at Liberty Bell Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek. This is a one woman operation who does everything. Originally based out of Richmond owner Sherri Nichelman plans on relocating the kitchen to Back to the Table Cooking School & production kitchen in Lafayette. One thing I immediately noticed was her square cookies. Square cookies! How cool is that?I also learned that she only uses organic flour as well as fruit from her own backyard to use in her baked goods. I tried a backyard meyer lemon macaroon “cocomo” that was excellent. Sherri plans on trying out this Walnut Creek location for the next month and depending how it goes she’d like to stay year-round so check it out ASAP. She’s always looking for new ideas on what to bake so feel free to make suggestions and you may just see your idea baked the following day.

From her Facebook page:

With the idea that there’s nothing better than freshly made baked goods from your home, The Baker’s Box brings you updated versions of traditional recipes that are skillfully made with quality ingredients. While utilizing local sources, the menu items are seasonally driven, made especially for you, one batch at a time.

Check out her website here. You can even order online. The Baker’s Box is located at the Liberty Bell Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek where Il Fornaio and H&M are located.

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Scuttlebutt – Backside of Broadway Plaza to Close in 2014

May 7, 2013 8:30 am

Back in March of last year I noted the Broadway Plaza demolition possibilities in Walnut Creek to make way for larger stores with possible mixed development i.e. apartments and it looks like plans are moving full steam ahead. Word on the street is that the backside of Broadway Plaza where the smaller shops are located such as See’s Candies and Boudin Bakery will be closing sometime in 2014 so construction can begin.

Apparently no leases are being offered past December and judging by the number of empty storefronts it’s making more sense now. There was already one open spot, and now AZM Jewelers is gone, as is As Seen on TV. Flares Bridal has closed their 2nd addition but still retains another presence a few stores down.

In addition I’m also hearing that Macerich, the owner of Broadway Plaza is actively working with retail stores to place them elsewhere in Broadway Plaza. So you may see a few of these stores moving nearby eventually.

2015 is right around the corner though so new stores will eventually open back up, possibly where the parking lot is currently located. Keep in mind this is only scuttlebutt, nothing has been confirmed yet.

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Swan’s Fine Books Opens in Downtown Walnut Creek

May 6, 2013 8:30 am

A couple of weeks ago I noted that Swan’s Fine Books would be opening in downtown Walnut Creek on Locust. St. behind The Kitchen Table Store and they are now open for business. This is no ordinary bookstore as they focus on collectible books such as a first edition Huckleberry Finn and a one-of-a-kind San Francisco guidebook from the 19th Century. They even have a page from a 15th Century bible.

The inside of the store has wooden bookshelves and sitting areas throughout with the walls decorated with old movie posters from John Steinbeck novels such as Cannery Row. It’s a cool store to browse around. In addition to collectible books they have more affordable editions starting at around $15.

The inside is warmly decorated:

Check out more photos after the jump…

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Queen Bee Closes in Lafayette

May 3, 2013 11:30 am

Queen Bee, a home decor and gift shop will be closing in downtown Lafayette after 8 years in business. There is a “20% off” sign on the window and according to Diablo Style it will remain open until June or inventory runs out. Diablo Style also has an interview with the owners here.

One part of the interview with the Queen Bee owner mentions Walnut Creek:

In fact, we’ve told everyone we’re going out of business, and I swear to God, they all say, “Oh my God, where am I going to go now? I have to go into Walnut Creek? That’s awful!“

Walnut Creek has been dissed in the past, see this Friday Question of the Day for more.

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Sleep Number Opens in Downtown Walnut Creek

May 2, 2013 11:30 am

Back last December I noted that the mattress store Sleep Number would be opening on Mt. Diablo Blvd. in downtown Walnut Creek and they have now opened. This is right next to the Vitamin Shoppe where Eco Shoppe used to be. Sleep Number offers mattresses where you can adjust the firmness and temperature of each side with a remote control. Check out the inside of the store below.

Sleep Number is located at 1601 Mt Diablo Blvd.

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Wish Gift Shop Moves to New Location in Walnut Creek

May 1, 2013 8:30 am

Back in February I noted that the gift shop Wish opened in downtown Walnut Creek on N. Main St. but due to Davidson & Licht planning on opening a new Jewelry store in this location (Vanessa’s Bistro also moved) Wish has moved to 2333 Boulevard Circle in Walnut Creek next to Kepler’s Golf Repair and a few stores away from Florali. According to the owner, the new location “was an old house that we are renovating. It will have lots of room to expand and also has some patio areas so we can carry outdoor and garden furnishings and accessories. Also very easy free parking which will be a welcome change”.

To celebrate the opening of the new store they are offering a one-time 20% off coupon which expires at the end of May. Click here to print out the coupon and a map. Check out their Facebook page here.

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Pier 1 Imports Opens in Walnut Creek

April 30, 2013 8:30 am

Last week I noted that Pier 1 Imports was moving to a new, larger location (a block away from their old location) on Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Walnut Creek and they have now opened. The new location is close to 8,000 square feet and offers a new store concept.
From a press release:

The new store design is a natural evolution of the Pier 1 Imports experience that utilizes a new interior finish-out, including natural-colored floor tiles, rustic ceiling elements, enhanced store lighting and lit shelving units lining the walls, all of which help customers visualize the end-use of the products within their own home. The new look is complemented by the use of “open stock” merchandising, designed to enhance the shopping environment by giving customers the opportunity to see, feel and interact with the product. The exterior design features bamboo window awnings and a signature bamboo door with rustic metal door handles that will mark the entrance to Pier 1 Imports’ unique shopping experience.

Check out the inside as you enter:

More photos of the inside after the jump…

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Cole Haan Closes in Broadway Plaza

April 29, 2013 8:30 am

The fashion store Cole Haan has closed in Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek last Friday. Located right next to Neiman Marcus, it opened several years ago. The closest non-outlet Cole Haan locations are in Union Square, San Francisco and Santana Row in San Jose.

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Friday Question of the Day – Should the Pleasant Hill Dome be Saved?

April 26, 2013 8:30 am

This photo of the Pleasant Hill Dome Theater was taken the last Sunday, its very last day in existence. 2001 Space Odyssey was aptly playing. Now it is no more. Eventually to be replaced by a Dick’s Sporting Goods store according to a Crazy in Suburbia post. It’s been around for 46 years, and watching a movie there is one of the few memories I have of this area back in the early nineties while visiting a friend.

There is however an appeal happening against the SyWest Development plans for the Shopping Center. From Crazy in Suburbia’s post:

The appeal basically says that SyWest Development’s proposal to replace the Dome Theater with a Dick’s Sporting Goods is inconsistent with the city’s own laws, policies and goals on historical and cultural preservation, promoting the arts and quality of life in Pleasant Hill, providing services for seniors, and creating an economically vibrant community.

So today’s question of the day is, should the Pleasant Hill Dome should be saved?

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