It hurts to lose a business that has served your community for over 70 years. That’s why the closure of Larkey Market in Walnut Creek, California was so painful for so many long-time and brand-new residents alike.
The iconic, tiny Walnut Creek market was perched at the top of Larkey Park, in an otherwise totally residential area. Originally opened in 1951, it served Walnut Creek locals for decades.
When it closed last year, people were devastated. And when the announcement came out that a new business was coming in to replace Larkey Market, people were skeptical.
Well, that new business is now open. We stopped by the check it out. Can it rival Larkey Market in locals’ hearts–or at least do honor to its legacy?
The Market
The business that came in to replace Larkey Market is called The Market By Rooted. You’ll notice one positive thing right off the bat–the new place chose to keep the “Market” concept in its name.
That was a deliberate honor to the old Larkey Market. The Market By Rooted is a project of Rooted Coffee, which has a great cafe (with excellent vegan donuts) in downtown Walnut Creek, California.
In announcing The Market By Rooted, Rooted Coffee said “We are stoked, honored and just so excited to serve you all and the Larkey neighborhood 🙏🏼”
So they know what a big deal it is to replace this Walnut Creek legend!
Is it Good?
But did they go a good job? I stopped by and tried the new offerings.
The Market By Rooted is in the same Larkey Market building. One nice thing relative to downtown WC: tons of parking!
Inside, you’ll find a vegan market combined with a coffee shop. The Market chose to keep the concept of a small food store, but updated it with local artisan products and vegan fare.
You get items from local makers and small businesses aligned with The Market’s values.
There’s even a big cooler where locals can grab essentials like a gallon of milk (or craft beer!), just as they did in the old days.
It’s a beautiful and very inviting interior space, encouraging visitors to stay and browse.
And of course, this being a Rooted Coffee outpost, there’s amazing coffee!
The coffee menu here is more creative than in most local places. I got an iced panela latte, made with the sweet interior of the sugar cane plant. It was delicious, subtle, and perfectly made.
This isn’t your local market serving terrible drip coffee that’s been sitting for hours! This is a genuine fancy coffee meca disguised as a tiny local market!
I also love that the service is much more chill than if you go to the main location in Walnut Creek, which has a busy, trendy vibe. This feels like you wandered into a friend’s house and they just happened to make world-class coffee.
The Patio
To enjoy that coffee (or a vegan sandwich) you can sit in a nice outdoor patio area. There’s a fun astroturf lawn where kids can run around, with a little teeter-totter.
There’s also beautiful tables with Rooted mosaics. With these kinds of details, it’s clear that The Market plans to stay for a long time.
There’s even a giant metal chicken. Because of course there is.
I enjoyed sitting outside–despite the heatwave–and sipping on my latte, which was made with soymilk (vegan place, remember) and yet was so creamy that this didn’t bother me.
The Verdict
So, does the Market by Rooted succeed in doing Larkey Market justice? Absolutely.
Not only does it preserve the friendly, neighborhood vibe, but it also updates it with fancy new products and an amazing coffee menu. I didn’t try the sandwiches, but you definitely should stop by and give them (and smoothies) a shot.
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The Walnut Creek Rooted was opened after the success of the original Rooted coffee shop on Oak Park Blvd in PH. That shop is still going strong.
Great hopefulness, thx 4 article, may its Talavera tile table serve many, &receive love &respect;)