A couple of weeks ago I noted belatedly that Build-A-Bear closed in Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek, and already it’s been taken over by the seasonal store Go! Calendars. It seems like every year Go! Calendars hops from store to store taking advantage of temporary lease opportunities.
Back in August I noted that Starbucks was opening up in Broadway Plaza’s Macy’s in downtown Walnut Creek, and they are now open for business. There is no sign outside indicating a Starbucks, but it’s literally right inside at the corner near Haagen-Daaz.
Check out the cool wall decoration:
Now downtown Broadway Plaza has two Starbucks. They also just bought La Boulange Bakery around the corner (soon to be serving Starbucks coffee), Barnes and Noble has a Starbucks cafe inside, and there is another Starbucks a stone’s throw away in downtown Walnut Creek as well. Does anyone feel like there are too many Starbucks in downtown Walnut Creek? On a side note, I downloaded the Starbucks app on my iPhone to try out the payment by phone and think it’s pretty cool how gift cards can be stored on the phone.
A couple of weeks ago I noted that the fashion jewelry shop Bracchiale was coming to Broadway Plaza, previously occupied by Betsey Johnson which left in June. Now Bracchiale is open for business and when I dropped by it was quite crowded with women checking out what kind of jewelry is available.
Check out the front part of the shop below:
This is some of the jewelry available:
According to the owner there will be a wide variety of jewelry available with all price ranges in mind up to $300. By the way, Bracchiale is pronounced Brashale not the Italian way, Brackiale. Bracchiale is located at Broadway Plaza in downtown Walnut Creek right across from Nordstrom and next to Swarovski.
Broadway Plaza has lost a children’s favorite as Build-A-Bear closed last Sunday. This can’t be good for nearby children’s clothing stores Janie and Jack and Gymboree as Build-A-Bear probably brought a lot of little kid traffic to the mall.
Diablo Style notes that an upgraded and high-tech Build-A-Bear will appear in Pleasanton’s Stoneridge Mall on October 5th. I wonder if Build-A-Bear’s decision to leave Broadway Plaza is in anyway related to the future possibility of the plaza getting demolished a few years down the road to make way for larger stores and higher development?
Wolf Camera & Video is bankrupt and the remaining stores will close including the one located in the Lafayette shopping center where Diablo Foods and Trader Joe’s is on Mt. Diablo Blvd. It’s expected to close by next week. However, an imaging company from San Diego is apparently taking over the Lafayette and Dublin locations to handle print processing only. So drop by if you want to pick up a camera or accessory at up to 60% off.
Back in May I noted that Betsey Johnson was closing in Broadway Plaza, located in a prime Walnut Creek spot across from Nordstrom, and next to Neiman Marcus. On October 10th the fashion jewelry store Bracchiale will be opening up. From the Broadway Plaza website:
Embrace the experience at Bracchaile and shop great fashion accessories including jewelry, scarves, hair accessories, brooches, bags and wallets!
I wish Bracchiale all the best, although given its prime location, I do wonder why better known chains have not opened up instead. My guess would be that the retail space is not large enough to accommodate most stores. Anyone know why?
Back in May I noted that Lamorinda Music in Lafayette was expanding and that a high-end guitar shop was going to open up within as well. The shop, owned by The Waybacks former guitarist and singer Stevie Coyle is called Might Fine Guitars. From their Facebook page:
An acoustic guitar boutique featuring absolutely top-shelf luthiers. A limited number of lessons is available, as well. Concerts and workshops by local and touring pros.
The shop is accessible both directly from outside as well as within Lamorinda Music, and performances will be held in “The Big Room” right outside (also within Lamorinda Music). Last Saturday, the Irish musician legend Andy Irvine performed.
Check out the inside of the store with owner Stevie Coyle:
Notice that one of the instruments in the photo above being sold is a mandolin, although the focus are high-end acoustic guitars.
Check out some of acoustic guitars for sale below:
The one at bottom right is particularly interesting as the sound hole is offset to the left. Although I’m not a guitar expert by any means, the quality of these instruments is readily apparent. And the owner has a great sense of humor! For example, they note that their phone number is YAK.ANT.TACO 🙂
Mighty Fine Guitars plans on having a “coffee Klatch” the first Sunday of every month, and owner Stevie Coyle offers private lessons with fingerstyle being a specialty, and beginners are welcome. They are located at 85 Lafayette Circle in Lafayette.
Mixed Grain Korean Cuisine opened its doors a couple of days ago, replacing another Korean restaurant, Koreana Kitchen. The new owners redecorated and plan on offering more upscale, healthy dishes, hence the name, “Mixed Grain”, (as opposed to the less healthy white rice).Check out their menu here and here.
Check out the interior:
Towards the back:
and the cute decoration at the register:
Mixed Grain is located at 1546 Bonanza St. in downtown Walnut Creek.
The high-end stereo shop Stereo Unlimited has closed on Locust St. after being in business there since 1981. Word on the street is that they didn’t pay their rent for quite a few months and were eventually evicted. According to their website they plan on relocating somewhere in Walnut Creek, possibly on N. California Blvd. although that’s not confirmed.
Check out the inside…
and how it looked in their heyday.
Anthropologie has finally opened in downtown Walnut Creek at the corner of Mt. Diablo Blvd. and Locust St. and it looks amazing both inside and out! Just be careful about that parking lot next to the store. It is NOT free. You can park for free at the parking garage (4 hours) next to the Century movie theater as well as the garage (3 hours) on Duncan St. (near Starbucks & N. Main St.).
Whoever designed this store deserves serious props as it is really gorgeous inside. There’s a lot going on but it doesn’t feel overwhelming. On the contrary it has a warm feel that shoppers should appreciate. Anyway, check out the photos below.
This is the view upon entering the store:
Sometimes less is more (outside the dressing room):
Check out more photos after the jump…
