Sprouts & Shutters: Bargain Sushi, Baked Goodies and Teen Threads

Wondering what’s moving into your neighborhood shopping center? Our Sprouts & Shutters column highlights the latest Tri-Valley restaurant, retail and other business news.

More business news coming your way: Starting today, Patch will run Sprouts & Shutters weekly instead of just twice a month. Look for Sprouts & Shutters every Monday on your Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon and Danville Patch sites.

JuneBug's Bakery, new a cake design studio and pastry shop, is set to open Valentine's Day on E. Prospect Avenue in downtown Danville. Owner and Danville resident Junell Watson, who studied at Le Cordon Bleu in London, has crafted sweet treats for diners at Mangia Mi and Sideboard in Danville and Va de Vi in Walnut Creek. Get more details here in Diablo Dish and at junebugsbakery.com.

has again delayed its temporary closure and will remain open for Valentine’s Day. The Danville restaurant, which recently earned AAA’s coveted , originally planned to close for renovation . It now plans to close later this month. When it reopens this spring, diners will find an updated rustic tavern atmosphere (plenty of hardwood and metal work) a larger bar and lounge area, more dining room seating and an expanded patio area.

Walmart hopes to open grocery stores in two Tri-Valley cities: San Ramon city officials recently confirmed that Walmart is seeking construction in the Country Club Village Shopping Center. Walmart to operate a grocery store in the former Nob Hill store on Santa Rita Road in Pleasanton, though its bid may face delays. According to the Walmart website, Neighborhood Markets are full-service grocery stores that sell groceries, pharmaceuticals and general merchandise. The typical Walmart Neighborhood Market store is about 42,000 square feet whereas the Walmart “Supercenter” averages 185,000 square feet.

Meriwest Credit Union will close both its and branches on March 2. According to a Meriwest representative, the credit union is closing its only two Tri-Valley branches because business has decreased there. Meriwest will focus on its branches in Santa Clara County where it’s based. (Thanks to the Patch reader who submitted the news tip.)

Fat Fish Pleasanton opened Jan. 30 on Old Santa Rita Road. Sukee Jung, who also owns the Fat Fish Sushi in San Leandro, says her new casual Japanese restaurant offers “happy hour prices all the time” with sushi rolls 40 – 50 percent cheaper than other sushi eateries. Fat Fish Pleasanton replaced Pleasanton Café.

PacSun closed its Stoneridge Shopping Center clothing store at the end of January. Taking over that space this month is FHL Styles, a Los Angeles based regional chain that sells teen apparel and accessories.

Figurehead Gallery opened its new art gallery in the Old Theater Mall in downtown Livermore in late November. In addition to showcasing the works of Northern Californian artists, the new gallery also offers art classes like figure drawing and origami. Figurehead Gallery features exhibition receptions, "Meet the Artist" nights and, every second Thursday,

Livermore’s 4th Annual Barrel Tasting Weekend isn’t until March 31, but you can get a head start this Presidents Day weekend, Feb. 18 through Feb. 20. Retzlaff Vineyards, Cedar Mountain Winery and Wood Family Vineyards are all holding barrel tasting events. For details about these and other local winery events, visit the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association events page at lvwine.org.

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

• and in Danville
• and in San Ramon
• and 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.