The Pleasant Hill Dome movie theater is not the only business going away in Pleasant Hill as The Loaded Hog Saloon, located right next to the Dome, will also be closing its doors and there will be a big celebration today so drop by and enjoy it while you can. Thanks to a reader for sending word about this with a photo.
The sandwich shop Ike’s, slated to open this Friday is now open in downtown Walnut Creek! I dropped by last night and tried the “Joe Starkey” made with halal chicken, BBQ sauce and cheddar. I chose Dutch crunch bread (French, sourdough, whole wheat, and gluten free bread are also available) and tomatoes and lettuce. Next time I’ll ask for pickles and red onions which are free add-ons. I also tried Zapp’s voodoo chips and a caramel apple lollipop was included in the order which is a nice touch. Overall it was quite tasty and really hits the spot. Ike’s is destined to become quite a popular addition to the area no doubt.
Ike’s is located at 1159 Locust St. a few stores down from The Cheesecake factory and is open from 10:00am – 7:00pm daily. It may stay open later on Fridays and Saturdays. Check out the menu here. Who has tried Ike’s so far? What else are the must-try sandwiches?
Check out the inside:
More photos including the menu, the Joe Starkey and more after the jump…
Last week I pointed out that the piano store Sherman Clay was closing in downtown Walnut Creek. Here’s an interesting article about what’s going on from the SF Chronicle.
From the article:
Now this is the end of the line. Sherman Clay is selling its San Francisco and Walnut Creek stores to Steinway & Sons, the piano manufacturer. Sherman Clay’s Sacramento-area store in Roseville, in Placer County, will be closed, and so will its Santa Clara store. The future of the company’s two other stores, in Houston and Seattle, is in doubt.
Music Exchange on N. Main St. is the last remaining piano shop in downtown Walnut Creek.
A few weeks ago I noted that a collectible bookstore would be opening in downtown Walnut Creek and now I have learned that Swan’s Fine Books will be opening at 1381 Locust St, a couple of stores behind The Kitchen Table store. They will offer first editions from well-known authors such as Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway as well as more affordable copies available at most price points. In addition a children’s section will provide an entertaining outlet for kids. They will be having a grand opening on May 1st from 3 – 6pm so if you’re a book lover you’ll definitely want to drop by and check them out.
From their soon to be online website:
Swan’s Fine Books is dedicated to bringing to you volumes which, each in their own way, are treasures. We offer first editions from many authors, including classic authors such as Charles Dickens and Mark Twain and modern authors such as Ernest Hemingway, Jack London, John Steinbeck, Upton Sinclair and George Orwell. We have many volumes signed by authors and offer wide selection of quality used books on a variety of general interest subjects.
We also have treasures from the past, for example, a French Dictionary printed in 1694 and a collection of Alexander Pope’s works printed in the late 18th century. Vintage paperbacks and Vintage Movie Posters will also be available.
Our desire is to allow you to both find that treasured book you’ve longed for, as well as to experience the wonder and delight at finding a new author or book you never knew was out there: to fall in love all over again and experience the reader’s wonder and delight.
Whether you are a collector, a fellow book-lover, or are looking for a special gift, either for yourself or a friend, Swan’s Fine Books can assist. If you are looking to downsize your library of fine books, please call; we pride ourselves on offering fair prices, higher than the market, for quality used books we feel will be welcomed by our other clients.
Thanks to a reader for sending word that the wait will soon be over as the sandwich shop Ike’s will be opening on April 26th in downtown Walnut Creek a few stores down from the Cheesecake Factory on Locust St. According to their Facebook page:
Are you a Superhero? Are you a Champ? Can you take down theKryptonite?! Well then enter the Kryptonite eating contest at the Grand Opening of Ike’s Walnut Creek on Locust. The contest will take place at 5pm on April 26. The fastest time will win a Free Ike’s for a Year card. Any other participant that finishes in less than 30 minutes will receive a Skip the Line Pass! Think that you can do it? Let me know how come I should choose you to participate. Message me at www.facebook.com/ToBeLikeIke
Oh, the official record is 12 min 14 secs
Take a narrow look at the inside:
Back in January I was the first to note that the Berkeley ice cream shop CREAM (Cookies Rule Everything Around Me) would be opening in Walnut Creek and now the location has been pinpointed to 1372 N. Main St. in downtown Walnut Creek, previously the Contra Costa Democratic headquarters and before that the jewelry store Master Diamond. This is a block away from the recently opened gourmet ice cream shop Lottie’s Creamery as well as Gelateria Naia, not to mention San Francisco Creamery on Locust St. so there will be lots of refreshing choices available this summer.
They also have a contest for a chance to win $50, although the rules they wrote on their Facebook page differ slightly from the note in their window:
Participate in our Scavenger Hunt, find the new CREAM location and upload a photo of you with the “Coming Soon” sign on Instagram with the Hashtag #IFoundCREAMWalnutCreek for your chance to win a $50 Gift Card!
The Downtown Walnut Creek Association has a rare mention of a store going out of business. Sherman Clay will be having a private liquidation on April 18th and 19th, with the public liquidation following on April 20th and 21st, Sherman Clay is located at 1605 Bonanza Street in downtown Walnut Creek.
Photo from DayOne
Thanks to a reader for sending word that the baby store DayOne is closing on April 12th in downtown Walnut Creek. This means within the past four months every single children’s store has closed in downtown Walnut Creek and Lafayette. The Right Start closed in December, Giggle closed in February, and Tulip also closed in February in Lafayette. Is Buy Buy Baby to blame which opened in Pleasant Hill or are there other factors causing baby stores to close? Are people having less babies recently? What’s going on?!
From their site:
We want to thank the Walnut Creek/East Bay community for supporting DayOne for the past five years. It has been an honor and pleasure to work with you and your babies and we hope you will come visit us at our San Francisco & Palo Alto Centers.Important Things To Note:-DayOne Walnut Creek Members Will Be Offered Store Credit for Their Memberships On a Pro-rated Basis With an Additional 15% Off All Walnut Creek DayOne Merchandise if Purchased Using That Credit.**-Class Registrations for Classes After April 14th Will be Refunded With Store Credit With an Additional 15% Off All Merchandise Purchased Using Store Credit.**-Childbirth Preparation Class will be held on Sunday, April 14th, as scheduled.-Store Credits Must Be Claimed by April 12th But Do Not Expire Until October 31, 2013.**Can not be combined with other discounts or offers.
Back in October of last year I noted that Kelly-Moore Paints would be opening in the former restaurant Fuz on Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Lafayette and Kelly-Moore has now been open for a while. Behind Kelly-Moore a new Indian restaurant will be opening up according to Diablo Dish.
Back in June I noted the opening of AZM Jewelers in the back of Broadway Plaza and this month they will be closing. Elegant Living Furniture located next door would like to expand into this location if they can reach an agreement with Broadway Plaza.