Sprouts & Shutters: Izzy’s Steaks Closing, Mike’s Bikes Coming, Blackhawk Eateries Opening and More

Wondering what’s moving into your neighborhood shopping center? Our weekly Sprouts & Shutters column highlights the latest Tri-Valley restaurant, retail and other business news.

Celebrate the opening of the Summer Olympics in downtown Livermore with Tiaras, Tutus, Top Hats & Tails. Enjoy wine and beer "cocktail" concoctions prepared by downtown mixologists on July 11 from 6 – 9 p.m. And, of course, you’re encouraged to outclass the Brits by dressing up in your favorite tails, tiara, top hat or tutu. Those 21 and older can purchase a tasting pass for $25 (or $20 if you have your official 2012 Livermore Downtown glass). Get to by 8 p.m. to view the opening ceremonies. Tickets cost $5 and the event includes a royal hat contest and royal family member look-a-like contest. Learn more and see a list of participating merchants offering special event shopping specials at livermoredowntown.com.

Opening Update: Livermore’s new French bakery Casse-Croute, previewed in an , opened June 28 on South Livermore Avenue. “The mixer has been spinning, the oven has been steaming and the coffee is brewing. Come enjoy our bread and pastries in a French-country atmosphere,” say owners Lenore and Richard Denoixe.

Opening Update: Her Secret Hair Extensions, covered in a , is now open in its new salon on First Street.

Mike's Bikes will soon open its first Tri-Valley bicycle retail shop in Pleasanton. The popular regional cycling store, which runs 10 Bay Area stores, opens later this summer in Pleasanton's Gateway Square shopping center on Bernal. Learn more about Mike's Bikes, including its Mike's Bikes Africa Bike Drive, at mikesbikes.com. For more on the new store opening, see Patch’s .

This just in from Diablo Dish: Kudos to Pleasanton’s , named “small business of the year” by Senator Ellen Corbett. Celebrate with an orange-vanilla swirl soft serve on a hot summer day.

Opening Update: Lavandu Face & Body, previewed in a recent , is now open in Pleasanton’s Mission Plaza shopping Center.

A bunch of new businesses open this summer in Danville’s :

After an and concept overhaul, was set to open last weekend and will celebrate its grand opening July 11.

Rodney Worthy’s new Ferrari’s Cucina Italiana, the casual Italian restaurant highlighted in our , is set to open in early July in Stomp's old space.

Blue Gingko, previewed in last summer, is finally getting ready to open and should be serving sushi by late July. The new Japanese restaurant replaces Yotaka Sushi Grill, which closed last July.

Other new Blackhawk Plaza businesses include Tribez Salon (covered in May’s ) which opened June 26. And Opus Bank, which opened June 25.

closed June 30 and will be replaced later this year by national chain eatery Buffalo Wild Wings. Get the full story and see readers’ reactions in .

Yoga Fusion, located in the San Ramon Square shopping center, celebrates its one-year anniversary with a party for the community on July 14 from 4 – 7 p.m. The free event features Native American drumming, cultural dance, healing massage and food from the new yoga studio’s neighboring eateries, including Bourbon Street Deli Café, Three Brothers from China, Café Attila, Best Donuts, Hyderabad Biryani House and European Deli. To learn more, visit theyogafusion.com.

is no longer running its comedy shows at the Willow Tree restaurant. Owner John DeKoven says he’s looking for a hip, lively venue in the Tri-Valley to move Bunjo’s and welcomes suggestions on the comedy club’s facebook page. Meanwhile Bunjo’s Comedy Club will be hosting shows at the New Rheem in Moraga. See the schedule at bunjoscomedy.com.

Did you miss Patch's last retail and restaurant roundup? Read about these and more in our last Sprouts & Shutters column:  

• and in Danville
• and in San Ramon
• in Dublin
• and in Pleasanton 
• and in Livermore

Know of a restaurant or shop opening or closing in the Tri-Valley? Please send me a news tip at patchsprouts@gmail.com.