Francesca's Collects Itself in Downtown Lafayette

Francesca's Collections had its formal opening on Feb. 16 at 3569 Mt. Diablo Blvd., with many customers saying they were excited about having a Francesca's closer instead of driving to Danville or Emeryville, said store manager Bethany Trombly.

"What I see is that we just really fit in here, with the aesthetic, with Lafayette in specific and the area in general," said Trombly.

"We're definitely a one-stop shop," she said. "We carry everything. You can come after work and pick up an outfit for the evening, hostess gifts, accessories for what you need, or buy your girlfriend a present."

There should be more than a few couples coming to that stretch of Mount Diablo Boulevard, with the men's shop Venture next door to Francesca's. The owners of Venture came by with cupcakes on the opening days "and welcomed us to the neighborhood," Trombly said.