COVID-19 has proved a tough hurdle for all of us, but businesses have been hit especially hard. With California’s phases changing, going backwards, we’ve seen businesses shutter and the economy as a whole begin to dip.
It’s no different for us in the real estate industry – home sales and the buying/selling process are looking different than they were even back in January due to the pandemic. Anyway, I was wandering around downtown Walnut Creek the other day after work (yes, with my mask on!) and noticed the innovative ways it is changing.
Opa/Stadium Pub 
1515 
Sauced 
Dia Y Noche 
Havana 
Mels 
Torsap Thai Kitchen 
Brioche de la Paris 
Torsap (already existing outdoor seating) 
Brodericks, Vanessa, Lokanta, Limon 
Dia Y Noche – recently opened
With indoor seating banned, the city streamlined permitting for outdoor dining by getting parking spaces blocked off to allow for more seating. It’s sad to see how this is all affecting the downtown that thrives on human traffic. There is a bunch of outdoor seating on Locust from Brodericks to Limon. A few spots already have outdoor seating (Sauced, Torsop but got more out front
Among the other casualties of the pandemic economy, PRIMA Ristorante has decided to close its doors – a Walnut Creek staple that had been around nearly half a century. I’m sad to see it go. Salons were open for a month and as the state recently pushed back opening, caused the salons to re-close. Some such as Ashley Flowers Hair found they have some outdoor space where they can still legally operate. Hopefully as a country, we can get a grasp on the spread of this virus as other countries have done before winter. I really need a mani/pedi. Continue to be careful, wear a mask in public and follow the local health guidelines so we can get back to some semblance of our previous lives!
If the government has its way you will be closed down forever. Walnut Creek is so very special you should fight for the right to do business and live your lives.
Nordstroms must be protected from criminals too.
The downtown area has rebounded with new restaurant openings and other stores. I do agree the robbing of Broadway Plaza and more recently Rolex watches stolen off wrists of patrons leaving restaurants needs to be addressed. They closed off the road that drives through the mall to prevent car get-aways, but the city council needs to be very diligent with this issue.