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.
Livermore resident Stephanie King recently launched her new online business Fair Trade Designs, which sells high-end fair-trade products such as apparel, jewelry, purses, stationery and tableware. King says all her merchandise comes from artisans who are either members of the Fair Trade Federation or strictly abide by established fair trade practices. Learn more and browse products by category or country at fairtradedesigns.com.
Downtown Livermore’s , located off L Street and Railroad, recently closed. The sign posted outside said the fast-food chain’s eatery lost its lease. Livermore's other KFC is located on Northfront Road.
As reported in the Contra Costa Times, Dick’s Sporting Goods will open a new 55,000 square-foot store next spring in Dublin’s Fallon Gateway shopping center, also home to Target and the new BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. A spokesperson with the Pennsylvania-based sporting goods retail chain said the company’s policy is not to comment on new stores with opening dates so far in the future. But Patrick McGaughey of Terranomics Retail Services, which handles the center leases, did confirm the lease.
Some comings and goings in the Stoneridge Shopping Center: Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics will open a store in the Stoneridge Shopping Center this fall in Susanne’s Fashion’s old space. has moved into some temporary digs upstairs near Macy’s Women while its original store gets renovated. remodeled teen accessory store recently reopened. Cotton On, previewed in the , is now open in Quiksilver's old space. And Marquis, FHL and Basic all closed in early July.
Tal’s Patisserie is set to open next month in the Danville Livery across from Luna Loca. The new store will “focus on all-natural, mostly organic bakery products with a European flair,” says owner Tal Sendrovitz, who drew inspiration from the local bakeries popular in her native Israel. The San Ramon mother of three says her new store will feature baked goods representing different European baking styles, including French, Eastern European and Greek. Learn more at talspatisserie.com.
SXE Apparel, which , closed its shop in the Danville Livery Saturday. Owner Jessie Valverde says she will continue selling SXE Apparels fashions online at sxeapparel.com and hopes to open another boutique in the Tri-Valley area in the future.
San Ramon’s much-anticipated Firehouse No. 37 should open by Aug. 9, says owner Dan Hawkins. Located in San Ramon’s Marketplace shopping center in El Balazo’s old space, the new firehouse-themed, family-friendly bar and grill features indoor seating for 300, two outdoor patios, more than 40 beers on draft, several flat-screen TVs and American “gastro pub” cuisine. Read more in Patch’s .
Martial Hearts opened a few months ago on Ryan Industrial Court in San Ramon. In addition to teaching Tae Kwon Do, the new studio also offers Chinese lessons, self-defense classes for women, safety awareness programs for children, story time and crafts sessions and more. Learn more at martial-hearts.com.
This month Diablo Magazine released its annual “Best of the East Bay” awards and dozens of Tri-Valley businesses were among this year’s winners. For web links to these businesses and to view the complete list of East Bay winners, browse Diablo's 2012 Best of the East Bay Winners index.
Breakfast Joint and Coffeehouse: Sideboard, Danville
Brunch, Comfort Food, Dog-Friendly Restaurant and Kid-Friendly Restaurant: Chow, Danville
Cheap Eats: Los Panchos, Danville
Chef: Rodney Worth, The Peasant and the Pear, The Prickly Pear Cantina, The Little Pear, Danville
Dessert and Service: Esin Restaurant & Bar, Danville
Gluton-Free Menu: Piatti, Danville
Local Spirits: Concannon Irish Whiskey, Livermore
Pizza/Thin Crust: Jules Thin Crust
Pizza/Thick Crust: Zachary’s, San Ramon
Hamburger: The Habit, Pleasanton
Mexican Restaurant: Maria Maria, Danville
Middle Eastern Restaurant: Oasis Grille, Pleasanton
Romantic Restaurant: Wente Restaurant, Livermore
Teahouse: The English Rose, Pleasanton
Thai Restaurant: Thai House, Danville
Art Gallery: Studio Seven Arts, Pleasanton
Bar for Live Music: That Bar, Danville
East Bay Winery and Local Golf Course: Wente Vineyards, Livermore
Game Night: Tap 25, Livermore
Indie Cinema: Vine Cinema & Alehouse, Livermore
Sharpshooting: American Paintball Park, Livermore
Antique Shop: Cottage Jewel, Danville
Car Wash: Chamois Car Wash & Detail Center, Danville
Eyeglasses Shop: Dublin Ranch Optometry, Dublin
Farmers Market: Danville Farmers Market
Home Accessories Store: Elegant Clutter, Danville
Indie Bookstore: Rakestraw Books, Danville
Interior Design: Danville Interior Design Gallery, Danville
Nutritionist: Angela Stanford, Danville
Pet Shop: Molly’s Pup-Purr-Ee, Danville
Girlfriend Gifts: Just a Little Something Gift Shop, San Ramon
Shoe Repair: Nick’s Boot & Shoe Repair, San Ramon
Veterinarian: Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care, San Ramon
Anti-Gym Workout: The Bar Method, San Ramon
Blow Out: Gary Patrick Salon, Pleasanton
Boot Camp: Gumsaba, Danville
Boutique: Prim, Danville and Pleasanton
Facial and Waxing: Skin Ovations, Danville
Women’s Salon: Tribez Salon, Danville
Makeup: Opivu Cosmetics, Danville
Men’s Haircut: Katharina Hair Styles for Men, Danville
Store for New Moms: The Nest, Danville
Yoga Studio: Yoga Fusion, San Ramon
Kids’ Clothes Shop: Dandelion, Danville
Dance Classes: Next Step Dance, Danville
Gymnastics Classes: Diablo Gymnastics School, San Ramon
Kids’ Haircut: Shear Adventures, Danville
Martial Arts Classes: East West Kung Fu, San Ramon
Swim Lessons: Splash Swim School, San Ramon
Toy Store: Games Unlimited, Danville
Did you miss Patch's last retail and restaurant roundup? Read about these and more in our last Sprouts & Shutters column:
- and in Danville
- 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.
