While many downtowns across the state of California and beyond have been decimated by the recent pandemic, a mid-sized city (home to 66,000 residents) in Contra Costa County, located 30 miles east of Walnut Creek along Highway 4, has flourished.

Downtown Brentwood has maintained the charm and elegance supporting a mix of eateries, retail shops and entertainment venues. In fact, the pandemic has favored cities such as Brentwood, home to thousands of technology workers employed by META, Tesla, Apple, UCSF and many other firms across the Bay Area. Many of these workers continue to be employed on a hybrid or permanent remote basis. This has benefited local businesses with an increased daytime customer base to support restaurants, personal care businesses and other shops.

There are very few vacant parcels or spaces available in the area and there’s a growing interest from outside restauranteurs and other businesses to locate in the family-friendly and clean downtown. Over the past several months, Locanda Capri Italian Restaurant has expanded from Lafayette and Danville to open a new restaurant on Second Street. The re-opening of the Delta Theatre, Chrome Coffee opened next door also added excitement. The theatre opened in June with two screens and has been a huge hit. In the coming weeks, a former gas station on the corner of Oak and Second Streets will open with “The Yard”, an indoor/outdoor eatery with an assortment of outdoor games for the whole family.

Downtown Brentwood is not a large area encompassing approximately six square blocks. However, the cleanliness, safety and quaintness is a model for other cities across the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond to replicate. Hosting events year round including a weekly farmers market helps draw locals and visitors on a regular basis. Also, the role of the Downtown Brentwood Coalition (DBC) led by Amy Tilley, Executive Director, to sponsor regular events is key. To learn more about Downtown Brentwood or consider opening a business here, contact the City’s Economic Development Team by phone at 925-516-5440, email EconomicDevelopment@Brentwoodca.gov or visit www.brentwoodca.gov.