.
Feedback

New Businesses Coming To Lafayette

Battered by an economy rife with false signals and false hope, Lafayette regards an apparent uptick in business interest downtown with cautious optimism.

"After this long recession," Lafayette City Manager Steve Falk wrote recently, "maybe we’re seeing a mirage, but there appears to be an uptick in development interest in downtown Lafayette."

Falk offers as proof recent movement on the business front, specifically:

Signature Properties is pursuing construction of townhomes on the old Hungry Hunter site.  The Planning Commission will soon hold a joint study session with the Design Review Commission to review the plans. 

The Chipotle application to fill the NorSki space with a Mexican restaurant is at the Health Department. Planning signed off on the exterior changes this week.

The store is under construction, and plans for the off-site employee parking lot (at First/Deer Hill) have been submitted to Planning for review.

in the Clocktower is under construction.

Design & Interiors has opened its new store in Lafayette. As a nice synergistic touch, the store has asked Misto Lino, the fancy bedding store across the way, to dress all of its beds in the finest linens.  

Spencer January 25, 2011 at 03:25 pm
What's impressive about these new businesses is their quality and regional draw. Chipotle will further strengthen The Plaza with name identity at the expense of Baja Fresh and 360 Burrito) ; Patxi's is a great operation and will compliment Pizza Antica with both drawing the upscale pizza crowd; Design & Interiors actually relocated from Plaza Escuela in Walnut Creek (what? someone left WC?) to be near the heart of their trade area: Lamorinda. They will draw from Piedmont, Rockridge, Montclair and other communities west of the Caldicott as well as central CC, Alamo and Danville. And they are no stranger to fine furniture and interior design, their Los Altos store is 30+ years, and Los Gatos has been open for 10. Their replacement of Hollywood Video with a classic, upscale looking show window display (see it at night time!) is a great addition to downtown Lafayette. Whole Foods is Whole Foods, get your parking space reserved now. What a great statement these new businesses will make on an exciting and dynamic downtown.
Dr Green February 22, 2011 at 03:01 am
How many burrito places does lafayette need? Cannibalization could leave us two empty storefronts where once there was one (NorSki). I love Chipotle...just not a good fit in my opinion. I'm glad there is a future for the Hungry Hunter site...just wish it didn't include town homes. How about a Denny's? I'm serious. This is a primo retail location right off the freeway and we're going to build town homes. I think we could do better.
LFWOOP July 12, 2011 at 08:55 pm
I sure wish we got something better than mcdonalds brand of mexican food. It's also a shame it's replacing a small business, even if the previous owner was a total cheapskate who got what he deserved, and foiled a great business op.
LFWOOP July 12, 2011 at 08:56 pm
Paxti's however is a great addition. LF's mexican food is just so sad.
Born and Raised July 10, 2012 at 11:02 am
My wife and I had dinner in Danville last Friday and then walked around town. as we were strolling along I told her "yeah, this is what Lafayette used to be like". I for one don't even like to go into "town" anymore with all the traffic and parking problems. Forget about walking around on Mount Diablo Blvd. with all the cars packing up at every light. Just not a small town feel anymore which I think is sad. How much business does downtown Lafayette need?
Born and Raised July 10, 2012 at 11:08 am
LFWOOP, are you saying that El Charro isn't authentic or good Mexican food? I agree the others aren't "real" Mexican food just as PF Chang's isn't real Chinese food but El Charro's is as good as it gets (or so all my Mexican friends tell me).
LFWOOP July 10, 2012 at 02:27 pm
This is INSANE. Have you ever been to Danville on the weekend? Where you describe is about the only place worse/more clustered than Lafayette.
The bottom line is LAFAYETTE=CLOGGED up BECAUSE MORAGA kept themselves cut off from the freeway, while screwing us over. -Homeowner since the 60's in LF ****LAFAYETTE doesn't have more than 1 GOOD restaurant. I'm sick of having to leave my town to get something decent to eat personally. Maybe we should get rid of all the high priced mediocre restaurants that leech space. -Last thing is complaining about business during this economy shows you are obviously a retired baby boomer who thinks the world should revolve around him.
LFWOOP July 10, 2012 at 02:32 pm
I feel El Charro is not great relative. Go get some mexican in Salinas or Monterey. I've honestly been to taco trucks that are far superior. Not trying to be a jerk, El Charro is one of the better restaurants in this town.

Newsletter & Alerts

Get the best stories each day and important breaking news

Subscribe

Not from Lamorinda Patch? Find your Local Patch »

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
Contra Costa Veterinary Hospital June 7, 2013 at 09:06 am
Woohoo!!! Congratulations to all the adopted pets, families with new pets and the rescues for comingRead More together for such a great cause :)
Laura June 7, 2013 at 10:49 am
Fantastic. I watched a gorgeous orange tabby get selected by a couple when I was buying cat food.Read More Made my day. Way to go CC4C and Pet Food Express.
greg w June 6, 2013 at 04:01 pm
Two of them - one high, one low...guessing burglars or mountain lion
eruc June 6, 2013 at 05:32 pm
KCBS reports missing 23 year old missing man. Vague report but citizens are asked to call police ifRead More seen.
eruc June 6, 2013 at 05:35 pm
More about this...Read More http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_23406312/lafayette-police-searching-missing-at-risk-adult