(Image credit: City of Walnut Creek)

A New Era in Street Dining

A lifeline during the pandemic, Walnut Creek’s outdoor dining program allowed restaurants and bars to operate on city streets for little expense. As new rules, fees, and guidelines kick in, business owners are confronted with pricey decisions. 

According to Kathy Hemmenway at Walnut Creek Downtown, the cost for constructing new city-approved PODS (Permitted Outdoor Dining Structures) starts at $75,000, plus $6,000+per year in rental fees for use of a city parking space. 

 

While a number of restaurants have expressed interest, so far only Main Street Kitchen has made the investment in a PODS. 

"This is the third outdoor dining structure we've built in the last four years," says Arash Ghasemi, chef/owner of Main Street Kitchen. "It's been an expensive undertaking and we hope it pays off." Ghasemi says his PODS, which has no roof, ran roughly $90,000 to construct. "On top of that city rent is $18,000 per year for use of two parking spaces. It's calculated by size at $4 per square foot."

 

Stylish New Restaurant Lounge Debuts on Main Street

The team behind Honey + Brie charcuterie are opening Chateau in August. Located at 1376 S. Main Street, this chic Parisian-style bistro will feature creative boards, craft cocktails, caviar service, seasonal small plates. Read More

More Good News for Main Street

Napa Valley’s famous Model Bakery is expected to open at 1315 N Main Street in August. The transformed space boasts rich green hues, black & white tile flooring, and a spacious production bakery. If you’re not familiar, Model’s tasty English muffins are one of Oprah’s favorite things, and a beloved bakery for artisan breads.

Hayward-based Highline Custom Jewelry is expanding to Walnut Creek with a new boutique at 1613 N. Main Street. Known for its brilliant diamond-encrusted statement pieces, Highline touts pro athletes and local celebs for clientele. Following a major renovation, the doors will swing open on what the jeweler describes as "the Rodeo Drive of Northern California. 

 

Bowling and Bocce Bistro Coming to Broadway Plaza

Get ready to welcome an exciting new dining and entertainment venue, Pinstripes, to 1115 Broadway Plaza. Expected to open in September, this Italian American restaurant will feature a made-from scratch menu, bars and bocce courts on two floors, an eight-lane bowling alley upstairs, and private event spaces.

PF Chang’s Temporary Tenant; Banana Republic Says Goodbye

Luxury jeweler Davidson & Licht has signed a nine-month lease at Broadway Plaza, relocating into the former PF Chang’s restaurant space starting in January 2025, while their Main Street store undergoes renovation. 

In other news at the shopping center, Banana Republic is closing when their lease expires at the end of July. This fall, look for acai bowls at Palmetto Superfoods, and trendy shoes at Rothy's. Original Joe's is on track for the first quarter of 2025, and negotiations continue for a new tenant in the former Neiman Marcus department store. 

 

 

Prominent Downtown Office Complex Hits the Market

First reported by SF Business Times, The Plaza at Walnut Creek, a two-building, 362,399-square-foot office property at 1333 N. California Blvd., is on the market for the first time in 30 years.  Across the street, The Rise, a newly constructed 97-unit multi-family property, traded hands in June for $67 million.

Fizz Pops the Cork on Bonanza Street

Raymond James Irwin celebrated the grand opening of his second bubbly bar, Fizz, at 1652 Bonanza Street last weekend. Founded in Sacramento, Fizz has a robust sparkling wine list by the glass or bottle, accompanied by small plates on the menu. 

Daryoush Relocates to Walnut Creek

Berkeley’s popular Persian eatery, Daryoush, opened at 1534 Locust Street in June. The restaurant is already getting good reviews for its Mediterranean appetizers and kabobs. 

Two New Spots Expand the City’s Pizza Map; CPK Closes its Doors

Walnut Creek’s pizza scene is heating up with the arrival of Doppio Zero’s new focaccia and pizzeria, Gusto Mio, at 1441 Locust Street in August, and Detroit-style pizza powerhouse, Square Pizza Guys, at The Waymark by BART. However, the once-popular California Pizza Kitchen permanently closed its doors.