WALNUT CREEK, CA — The old Genova Deli space is starting to look a lot less like the old Genova Deli.
Construction is now visibly underway at 1105 S. California Boulevard, where MIXT is preparing to open in the former Genova Delicatessen storefront. Green MIXT window wraps now cover the space, the front door was recently propped open, and workers could be seen inside as the interior buildout moved forward.
For Walnut Creek residents who have been watching the space, it is a meaningful next step for one of downtown’s most nostalgic restaurant addresses. Genova’s downtown Walnut Creek location closed in February after 58 years in the city, following the earlier closure of its Treat Boulevard outpost.
The 1105 S. California Boulevard location was Genova’s last Walnut Creek shop, with the Napa deli remaining open and the Walnut Creek ravioli factory continuing to supply local stores.
The Basics
MIXT’s official website now lists the Walnut Creek restaurant as “Coming Soon!” at 1105 S. California Boulevard, with planned hours of 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The listed features include pickup, delivery, and both indoor and outdoor seating.
MIXT describes itself as “San Francisco grown” and “mission driven,” and says it has been making meal-sized salads since 2006. The company says the idea began with the realization that there were few quick places to get something healthy, fresh, and craveable, and that its first restaurant opened in San Francisco’s Financial District less than a year later.
It’s slated for a Summer 2026 opening, according to the signs displayed on the building.
The Walnut Creek menu currently listed online includes salads, warm bowls, design-your-own salads and bowls, sandwiches, sides, cookies, and drinks. Posted items include the Elote salad, Beetnik salad, Soba salad, Barbecue Bowl, Dave’s Taco Bowl, and sandwiches such as the Smokey, Napa, Park, and MIXT Crispy.
The brand is also a Certified B Corporation. B Lab’s directory lists MIXT as certified since August 2018 in the restaurants and food service industry.
Why This Spot Matters
The restaurant is landing in a particularly visible downtown Walnut Creek location, steps from Philz Coffee, PNC, CVS, Fleming’s, and other businesses near South California Boulevard and Mount Diablo Boulevard. Walnut Creek Downtown’s business directory already lists Mixt at 1105 S. California Boulevard, with Philz and CVS right nextdoor.
That stretch has become a kind of quick-service and errand-running corridor in downtown Walnut Creek: coffee at Philz, pharmacy runs at CVS, banking at PNC, and now a fast-casual salad and bowl option moving into the long-running Genova space.
Plus, there’s tons of parking! What a rarity in WC, right?
A New Chapter After Genova
The emotional weight of the location comes from what it used to be. Many locals remember visiting Genova as kids. Whatever came next would always be seen as “the place replacing Genova.”
One nice thing: Genova is being replaced by another locally-born chain, not a giant, anonymous, national restaurant. That should help to endear the new spot to locals.
We’ll let you know as soon as we have a more firm opening date. Make sure to join our free 925 News newsletter so we can keep you in the loop.
