Has Walnut Creek's downtown construction mania killed Christmas?

Wow, I thought only the Grinch, Scrooge or Mr. Potter (above) could take the cheer out of the holiday season, but it turns out the massive reconstruction of Broadway Plaza is "so extensive" that Santa won't have a home in Walnut Creek this holiday season.

Elisabeth Nardi reports in the Contra Costa Times that the mall's multi-year, quarter-billion-dollar renovations means Santa won't have his usual storefront, and such holiday staples as the holiday lights parade will be canceled and the Hanukkah menorah lighting will be moved. Nothing will return to normal for another two years, the Times reports.

As usual, Broadway Plaza, downtown business association types and city leaders are trying to put a positive spin on all this. One day Walnut Creek will be even more fabulous than they like to imagine it already is. They say, there will be all those sales tax revenues from when Broadway Plaza adds those 230,000 square feet!

Meanwhile, these business and city leaders come off as tone deaf to the fact that a lot of people who actually live in Walnut Creek are getting a bit fed up with all the traffic and hassle and rightly question whether greed and crass commercialism have replaced any sense of true culture or community spirit in the civic ethos. Wow, has the greedy small-town mogul Mr. Potter of It's a Wonderful Life come to represent Walnut Creek's moral and cultural compass? Has he been the guiding spirit all along? One has to wonder when a spokesperson for Broadway Plaza described this shopping mall, with many of the same generic shops you find at shopping malls all around the country, as the "heart of Walnut Creek." 

Well, apparently there is more irksome news, according to the Times: there have been fewer spaces at the city’s garages and lots over the past year -- no kidding! -- apparently because of what apparently is the city’s not-so-well-timed decision – with all this Broadway Plaza and other downtown construction coming to fruition -- to raise meter rates and increase enforcement hours. Interesting planning choices among city leaders. For so long the city was urging us, nagging us, to give up parking on the street and park in city garages. There is parking there, they proclaimed and proclaimed. 

No, there isn't. There really isn't. 

Parking supply will be tight, and “anecdotally,” the Walnut Creek Downtown association has heard that business is down over the past year. 

Even more reason to shop on cyber Monday!

Speaking of downtown parking, how has your holiday parking experience been in Walnut Creek?

Has it been a hassle? What about the garage behind Nordstrom and Macy's? Have you been doing endless loops around that garage, trying to find a free space?

Or, have you made use of the valet parking program offered by Walnut Creek's Downtown Business Association?

According to Signature Parking's blog, the holiday program incorporates several of their existing curbside locations at Il Fornaio and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse alongside a new location at 1250 Locust Street right across from Century Theater. The fee for valet parking at the new Locust Street location will be $5 and all other locations throughout town will charge $7.

"It is our goal to make valet parking a convenient and easily accesible parking option for all visitors of downtown Walnut Creek," Signature Parking says. "As an added convenience, customer of the service will be able to drop off accumulated shopping purchases at the valet station for delivery to their vehicles, making extended shopping and dining outings easier."

Or what about the trolley? Have you taken advantage of this free service? The cable-car styled green trolley loops daily around Walnut Creek, with a stop at BART. It runs every 15 minutes, and gets you to Broadway Plaza. And through December 31, it was to have extended hours to 10 p.m.

One clever convenience in this hectic shopping time

Are you out and about today shopping? I just had to pick up some last-minute things--sparkling wine for a party, and, psst, something to go with my husband's present. I went to Cost Plus in Walnut Creek, and discovered these shopping baskets that have little wheels on them.

An employee said they arrived in the store about three weeks ago. You can either carry them around like regular shopping baskets, by hand or with the handles draped over your arm. Or, if the basket starts to get heavy with, say, wine bottles, you call pull out another handle that turns them into carriers, which you can wheel around, similar to the way you pull along rolling suitcases or backpacks.

Wish I had been the guy or gal who came up with this simple but clever idea and patented it!

Walnut Creek kids offer holiday shopping alternatives that benefit good causes

Walnut Creek's downtown merchants might not be wild about my recommendation to patronize these Saturday craft fairs to purchase holiday gifts, rather than Broadway Plaza stores.

Oh well. These fairs, hosted by local elementary, middle and high school students are not for profit; rather they benefit some good causes.


The nonprofit, Creek Kids Care, will host a Craft Faire at Parkmead Elementary where its young members will sell original stationery, framed art, T-shirts, and touchtone magnets--all made by the kids themselves. Other families who live in this school neighborhood will also sell homemade items, including toffee, blankets, and baby wear.

(We already purchased many of our Christmas presents at the Creek Kids Care Benefit Boutique last month!)

The fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1920 Magnolia Way. All proceeds benefit Fresh Start, Walnut Creek's respite center for the homeless in our community, and the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

Also on Saturday, Las Lomas High School will host its Craft Faire and Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is said to be the community event where you can find everything you need for the holidays: crafts, candles, knits, jewelry, specialty foods, and gifts. Proceeds will benefit the Las Lomas senior class.