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Sprouts & Shutters: Z Cafe Express, A-Town Pizza & Kabob House, Picket Fences and More

Here's the latest roundup of retail, restaurant and other business news and happenings in the Tri-Valley area.

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.

Picket Fences, a new consignment store, opened June 23 next to Affinity Day Spa and Panama Red Coffee Company in Livermore. Owner Kirsty Diaz says her new shop sells consigned clothes and accessories for kids, women and men, plus features a small selection of home furnishings. Picket Fences replaces Curio Women's Resale.


Find out what’s happening with Livermore’s new Paragon Outlets in Patch’s recent . Curious about what will be opening in the new center this November? Browse the store listing at cityoflivermore.net.

Opening Update: Divine Boutique, previewed in a , opened July 7 on South Livermore Avenue. The new business is open Tuesday through Sunday. For details, including store hours, visit the new store’s facebook page.

Taste a variety of Livermore Valley wines and sample creations by local chefs all in one place during Taste of Terroir. The annual wining and dining event includes wine and food pairings, judging and awards, live music and a silent auction. It all happens this Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Palm Event Center in Pleasanton. Tamas Estates, McGrail Vineyards, Murrieta’s Well, El Sacramonte, Double Barrel and Terra Mia are just a few of the many wineries and restaurants participating in this year's events. You can see the full list and purchase your $85 ticket at lvwine.org.

Z Café Express opened July 2 in Pleasanton's Mission Plaza on Santa Rita Road. The new café, an “express” version of Oakland’s popular Z Café & Bar, opens early with house-made pastries and premium coffee beverages and serves fresh seasonal sandwiches, soups and salads for lunch. Owner and San Ramon resident Mehdi Zarekari says his new café also features a small wine bar, free Wi-Fi, indoor seating for about 20 and a cozy patio that seats 15. Learn more at zcafeexpress.com.

Opening Update: Extreme Pita, previewed in a , opened July in Pleasanton’s Crossroads shopping center on Hopyard Road.

Dublin is hosting a huge party this Saturday for its residents to celebrate its 30th “birthday” as an incorporated city. Enjoy hot dogs, apple pie and root beer, participate in a watermelon-eating contest, sack races and water balloon tosses, ride wagons and tractors, listen to live folk and blues music, and more. The free event takes place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dublin Heritage Park & Museums. Find out more at on the city's event page.

A-Town Pizza & Kabob House opened July 1 in San Ramon’s Crow Canyon shopping center across from Safeway. The locally owned eatery, which replaced New York Pizza, serves thin-crust pizza, calzones, lasagna, Mediterrean kabobs, wings and salads. Learn more and see the menu at atownpizza.com.

Get the latest update on Walmart’s Neighborhood Market opening in San Ramon (San Ramon/Dublin border) in Patch’s recent story .

The tanning salon Tropical Solution closed last month in Danville’s Town and Country Drive shopping center. Tropical Solution, which once operated seven local tanning salons, is now located solely in Walnut Creek.

Opening Update: The Blackhawk Grille reopened earlier this month after an extensive remodel. Read more and view the new menu at blackhawkgrille.com.

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

  • 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.

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Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Carol Wright June 19, 2013 at 10:17 am
Meeting is on Jun 20th.
Kathleen Schoening June 19, 2013 at 05:11 pm
You can also attend if you are part of the Neighborhood Watch. It was the Neighborhood Watch whoRead More negotiated having the Mayor come to the Springtown HOA meeting.
Nika Megino (Editor) June 17, 2013 at 10:59 am
Hi Christian! Sorry for the trouble! I've gone in and reapproved your posts. I did, however, deleteRead More the duplicates. Please let me know if you have any more trouble with posting, and again, sorry for the inconvenience with our Spambot!
Christian Holm June 17, 2013 at 04:04 pm
Thanks, Nika! I truly appreciate your efforts. I just wish the software would get fixed.
Bridget Carney June 15, 2013 at 10:10 pm
Hi Penelope! I am interested in finding out more about your puppies. Please e-mail me atRead More bridget.carney@gmail.com
Cindy Eckel June 14, 2013 at 08:01 am
Did you try 'Pleasanton Rentals' in Pleasanton...I know you asked for Livermore but this place hasRead More it all!
DeAnna Senft McDaid June 14, 2013 at 12:44 pm
Thank you Cindy I'll give them a call. apprecitate you taking the time.
DeAnna Senft McDaid June 19, 2013 at 01:22 pm
Settled on Partyland. One bottle of free blue syrup with the rental too. Nice touch. Thank you forRead More the tip. It will be a fun party with this little addition! :-)
Abby and Buddy
Beatrice Karnes June 13, 2013 at 08:48 am
They are beautiful and you described them so well! I hope that someone steps forward quickly! (IRead More have my quota of cats already.)
TrueRealist June 12, 2013 at 06:35 pm
It isn't up to the gov. to help raise your kids. The stork didn't drop the kid off unexpectedly. IfRead More you can't afford kids then don't have them.
barbieann June 13, 2013 at 08:39 am
Wow, so quick to jump to conclusions and judge. Maybe T.G. BUYS the child's lunch. Every schoolRead More sells hot lunch every day. At the majority of our schools, more lunches are bought than given for free.
DeAnna Senft McDaid June 13, 2013 at 12:43 pm
The schools give us 2 options as parents. 1. Buying lunches on campus or 2. Send them with a lunch.Read More Clearly the author of this chose number 1 and the school was OUT leaving the child with NO 3rd option. Shame on that school.
Jason Morgan June 9, 2013 at 09:33 pm
A great issue! However, the rodeo is nothing but animal cruelty wrapped up as "tradition"Read More and "entertainment". Why would the animal's welfare become a concern now? Rodeo performers have been documented beating, kicking, and shocking normally docile cows and horses in chutes and holding pens. "Bucking broncos" and steers are provoked with electric prods, sharp sticks, caustic ointments, and the pinching "bucking" strap, which is what really makes them jump, they are not "wild" and "dangerous" . The cowboys earn points by spurring the bucking horse. I have seen them up close and many are bleeding. Calves, roped when running, have their necks snapped back by the lasso, often resulting in neck and back injuries, bruises, broken bones, and internal bleeding. After their short and painful "careers," animals in rodeos are sent to the slaughterhouse. Dr. C.G. Haber, a veterinarian who spent 30 years as a federal meat inspector, describes the animals discarded from rodeos for slaughter as being "so extensively bruised that the only areas in which the skin was attached [to the flesh] was the head, neck, leg, and belly. I have seen animals with six to eight ribs broken from the spine and, at times, puncturing the lungs. I have seen as much as 2 to 3 gallons of free blood accumulated under the detached skin." Every national animal protection organization opposes rodeos because of their inherent cruelty. Don't feel bad everyone, I used to love the rodeo too. Before I knew better...
Bonbrwneyes June 10, 2013 at 09:13 pm
Something to consider and not pushing it aside because I feel its unimportant, but what I'd love toRead More have access to is how the riders that were hurt are doing today. Two bull riders got gored, one in the back and he was down and out for a bit and then obviously not "okay" as he stumbled out of the arena and then another that got his leg hurt and he couldn't get himself over the gate on his own. Left saturday's Rodeo hoping they were okay and would love follow up if at all possible. Thanks!