Sprouts & Shutters: New Gelato Shop, Art Studios 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.

A new clay studio called Color Bundles opened recently in the Alamo Plaza in Alamo. Get in touch with your creative side by making mini masterpieces using soft colorful clay. Color Bundles also features a gift shop selling works by local artists. Learn more at colorbundles.com.

Danville’s recently relocated to a larger space on Railroad Avenue taking over Legacy Custom Framing’s old space. The new gallery displays and sells original artwork by local artists and offers a wide range of art classes for all ages and all levels.

A new grocery store called Sikandar Cash and Carry will open in San Ramon at the end of March next to Ace Auto Repair on San Ramon Valley Boulevard. The new store will sell Indian, Fijian and Middle Eastern products ranging from fresh produce, spices, frozen food and rice to CDs, DVDs and musical instruments.

recently closed its Greek eatery in San Ramon’s Marketplace shopping center. Owner Berc Mener says he was forced to close his popular restaurant because the shopping center would not continue his lease. Mener says he has no plans at this time to open another restaurant in the Tri-Valley. (Thanks to Sprouts readers for passing along the news tip.)

Dublin’s acquired an additional 1,400 square feet after Gamestop closed its shop a few months ago. After completing renovations, the 12-year-old business will relocate all of its spa services into the new space to create more of a day spa environment. To view a list of hair, skin and body care services, visit www.mbsalonspa.com.

Francesca’s Collections opened March 2 in Origin’s old space in the Stoneridge Shopping Center. The women’s fashion retailer chain sells an eclectic array of apparel, jewelry, handbags, accessories and gifts. Francesca’s Collections also recently opened a store in the Blackhawk Plaza in Danville.

San Ramon’s Vitality Bowls is expanding to Pleasanton. The quick-serve health food eatery, which opened its first store in San Ramon in October, was set to open March 8 next to Cinnabon in Tuttimelon’s old space. The new business focuses on fast but nutritious dishes like acai fruit bowls, fresh fruit smoothies and paninis.

Gelateria Americana celebrated the grand opening of its new store on Rincon Avenue in Livermore on March 3. Before opening its store, the family-owned company sold its frozen desserts to local restaurants and at farmers’ markets. Gelateria Americana, which uses local and organic products in its gelato and sorbetto, features fun flavors like Avocado Gelato and Tequila Sunrise Sorbetto.

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

• Martini Sky 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.