Sprouts & Shutters: Rubs BBQ Bistro, Diablo Dark, Dollar Store 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.

Main Street Designs opened its seasonal Christmas Shop Oct. 5 in a new location on South L Street in Groth Brother’s old space. Main Street Designs, celebrating its 25th year in downtown Livermore, has a permanent store on First Street and will run its seasonal holiday store through middle January.

El Sacromonte recently added some nightlife to downtown Livermore: The upscale Mexican restaurant on First Street transforms into “El Sacramonte Lounge” from 10 p.m. – 1 a.m. each Friday and Saturday night. Guests ages 21 years and older can enjoy drink specials and listen to top 40s hits played by local DJs. Learn more on the restaurant's Facebook page.

The City of Dublin and Dublin Chamber of Commerce recently launched a “shop local” holiday campaign to encourage Dublin residents to frequent local businesses. Shoppers can find out about local Dublin shops and even discover special discounts on the “Discover Dublin for the Holidays” Facebook page.

Two new businesses will soon open in Pleasanton’s Rose Pavilion shopping center on Santa Rita: Leslie’s Pool Supplies, a national pool care and supply company will open next to West Coast Gold Buyers. And the discount retailer Dollar Tree is set to open next to Ethan Allen. You can see the new businesses and locations in the accompanying leasing brochure.

Unfortunately you won’t be able to buy any more treats at Pleasanton’s Cupid’s Tooth after Halloween. In a message to their customers, owners James and Lisa Green, who opened the candy store three years ago, said their small business “is not immune to our country’s economic struggles and we are unable to keep up with the rising costs associated with owning a small business.” Now through Oct. 31, all merchandise is marked down 25 percent.

Congratulations to Danville’s Thai House, the only Tri-Valley restaurant to make the coveted Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list of restaurants that offer “excellence on a budget.” To qualify for this list, the restaurant must serve two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less (tax and gratuity excluded). You can browse the full 2013 list of Bay Area and Wine Country winners at michelintravel.com/michelin-selection/san-francisco-2013.

Less than a year after opening, Roti8 Rotissserie closed its Blackhawk Plaza restaurant rather suddenly on Oct. 12. The owner could not be reached for comment but you can get the scoop on the closure in the most recent Diablo Dish column.

This Wednesday evening the Alamo Chamber of Commerce hosts a “Business After Hours” community expo where you can get to know local Alamo area businesses and enjoy food and wine tasting. The event takes place from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Round Hill Country Club. Admission is free. Learn more at alamochamberofcommerce.com.

Another barbecue eatery will join the new Dickey’s Barbecue Pit opening in San Ramon: Rubs BBQ Bistro should open in the Marketplace in a few months, replacing Mykonos Mediterranean Grill next to Fitness 19. Also, according to the latest Marketplace leasing brochure (accompanying this column), a new eatery called Crème Si Bon will open a few doors down in Stephen Pasta Café’s old space next to Salon X.

Dark beer fan? Try Diablo Dark, just released over the weekend by San Ramon’s Schubros Brewery.

Want to find out what else is opening in the East Bay? Sprouts & Shutters now covers 21 cities on 18 Patch sites. Read the latest columns for the Central Contra Costa, Berkeley/Oakland and Fremont/Tri-Cities communities.

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

• C2 Education in Danville
• Dickey's Barbecue Pit in San Ramon
• ImageFlow and Cellar 9 closure in Dublin
• Ascona Pizza and Amelia's Deli closure in Pleasanton 
• Baan Lanna in Livermore

Know of a business opening or closing in the Tri-Valley? Please tell Patch about it for a future Sprouts & Shutters column. Simply add it to this short form. Or send me a news tip at patchsprouts@gmail.com.

For more local business news, follow Patch on Twitter @EBayPatchBiz.