Sprouts & Shutters: New French Bakery, Candy Store, Fashion Boutiques and More

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

Cartridge World opened Feb. 27 next to Subway in the Rose Garden shopping center in Danville. The retail chain is the world’s largest specialty retailer of ink and toner printer cartridges and has more than 650 stores in the United States and Canada, including stores in San Ramon and Livermore.

Spring has sprung, and so have garden décor options at Danville’s Yard Art, one of the few remaining businesses in the Danville Hotel. Owner Jason Levine has increased his store hours (11 a.m. – 4 p.m. during the week) and has expanded his inventory into the hotel’s courtyard. Look for new fountains, benches and, coming later this spring, shade structures. See more at uniquegardendecor.com.

San Ramon’s new Oh So Sweet opened March 8 near Togo’s on San Ramon Valley Boulevard. The new candy store packs a lot of merchandise into its small space, selling retro treats like Big Hunk and Charleston Chews along with modern sweets like Sour Punch Twists and Wild Berry Skittles. The store also features a large self-serve M&M dispenser, small candies by the pound and even gifts like photo frames, figurines and piggy banks.

Opening Update: HomeGoods, covered , opened Sunday next to Whole Foods in San Ramon.

Dublin’s Sahara Market recently expanded, transforming the vacant space next door into a quick-serve eatery with room for 60 diners. The Afghan grocery store and eatery also hired a new chef and expanded its menu. The owners had hoped to open earlier but faced hurdles in getting their plans approved by the city until . It celebrated the long-awaited addition with a grand opening last weekend.

Susanne’s Fashion is set to open this week in the Stoneridge Shopping Center on the lower level next to L’Occitane. The local retailer sells high-end women’s specialty wear and accessories, including Italian leather jackets, designer handbags and jewelry.

Marquis “Affordable Elegance” is also set to open this week in the Stoneridge Shopping Center. The Bay Area based company, which sells women’s fashion ranging from denim jackets to bridesmaid gowns, will move next door to Windsor Fashions on the lower level. You can preview the fashions at marquiselegance.com.

Casse-Croûte Bakery will open in early June in Main Street Designs Christmas Shop’s old space on S. Livermore Avenue next to the new Del Sole Comfort Shoes. Tri-Valley residents Lenore Colarusso-Denoix and Richard Denoix say their new bakery will specialize in artisan breads, croissants and other baked goods made with local organic ingredients and served in an environment reminiscent of the French countryside. “As people have come to appreciate wine, they will be inspired by the simplicity and the art involved in the making of bread,” says Colarusso-Denoix. Learn more at c-cbakery.com.

This weekend you can taste wines right out of the barrel and meet winemakers during Livermore Valley’s . Visit lvwine.org for a list of more than 35 participating wineries and their activities taking place Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

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

• in Danville
• and in San Ramon
• in Dublin
• and in Pleasanton 
• 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.