Sprouts & Shutters: New Vietnamese Eatery, Book Store, BJ's Update 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.

Danville’s new iPho Vietnamese Restaurant opened April 2 on San Ramon Valley Boulevard near the Livery. iPho, Danville’s only Vietnamese restaurant, serves pho (popular Vietnamese soup), traditional spring rolls, grilled pork over rice, vegetarian Pad Thai and other dishes. Until the new full-service restaurant gets its liquor license, you can try a salted lemon soda, jackfruit or red bean smoothie or another option from the eatery’s long list of non-alcoholic beverages.

Opening update: Home Select, previewed in a , opened on March 26 next to Subway in Danville’s Rose Garden shopping center.

GoldFellow will move into San Ramon’s Marketplace shopping center as early as the end of April. The national gold exchange company’s newest store replaces Connect1 (Verizon Wireless) and will be located near Bank of America. GoldFellow buys gold, platinum, silver and scrap jewelry. Learn more at goldfellow.com.

Get the latest on Walmart's plans to open a Neighborhood Market in San Ramon in Patch's recent .

Dublin’s much-anticipated BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse will officially open on April 23. Can’t wait that long? General Manager Melissa Walker says that you dine at Fallon Gateway’s new BJ’s a few days early—April 19, 20 and 21—by calling 925-452-1155 for a reservation. (Sorry, walk-ins won’t be allowed.) Learn more about the new BJ’s in Patch’s .

A discount bookstore called Giant Book Sale moved into the old Borders space on Rosewood Drive in Pleasanton on March 17. The eclectic new store not only offers bargain books, but it also features a café with coffee and snacks and a section for piano, guitar and even salsa lessons run by the café managers.
 
Bessini Furniture, located near Macy’s Furniture, is closing the store it opened in Pleasanton last year. A store manager said that the store would likely close at the end of April. Bessini Furniture has another store in San Bruno. 

Sauced BBQ and Spirits, in Sapphire’s old spot in Livemore, now plans an end of April opening. Co-owner Barrett Gomes says his new restaurant will feature “Southern BBQ all slow-smoked on our wood burning smoker.” Diners can order main dishes like pulled pork and St. Louis-style rib and sides like collard greens and baked beans. The eatery’s full bar will feature seven whiskeys on tap (Bulleit Bourbon, Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, to name a few) plus southern specialties like Juleps and Sweet Tea cocktails. Learn more at saucedbbqandspirits.com.

Still working on those 1040 forms, due next Tuesday? Head to and for two events that can help take the edge off tax filing. Charles R Vineyards pairs its “Empty Cupboard Beans” with its award-winning wines and games of darts during its Tax Day Dart Board Fun event Saturday from 12 – 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, visitors can get a cup of the famous U.S. Senate Restaurant Bean Soup during Cedar Mountain’s free annual 1040 Soup Kitchen event from 12 – 4 p.m. 

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

• in Danville
• in San Ramon
• in Dublin
• 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.