CONCORD, CALIFORNIA – Concord’s first Philz Coffee is open at The Willows Shopping Center, and I recently stopped in to check out the new space.
My first impression: this is a Philz designed to provide you with a spot to sit and hang out while you drink your pour-over.
With tall ceilings, solid amounts of natural light and a big interior, the new cafe feels well suited to meeting a friend or bringing a laptop and getting some work done–not like the smaller “grab and go” Philz places in the City.
The shop opened August 26 at 1975 Diamond Boulevard, Suite C108. It’s in the newly renovated section of The Willows, in the same area as the new Mendocino Farms and California Fish Grill.
It’s a little surprising that Concord hasn’t had a Philz until now, given that Lafayette has had one for years and there are also locations in Walnut Creek and San Ramon. Concord is a much bigger city than those towns, of course. This new location fills that gap nicely.
Inside the New Cafe
Philz occupies a prominent corner space. There’s a small outdoor patio, which is a nice spot to sit when the weather’s good, although it’s more modest than the patios at some other Philz locations.
Step inside, though, and the cafe feels quite grandiose.
The very tall ceilings and large windows make the interior feel bright and roomy. There’s plenty of space to sit and spread out.
An original mural extends behind the baristas and into the seating area. Philz previously identified the artist as Oakland’s Alexandra Bowman.
The artwork is subtler than the large bear mural at the Lafayette Philz, but it’s a nice addition that gives the room some character and localizes it.
One feature I especially appreciated was the seating along the front windows.
A long counter provides space for people to sit side by side with their laptops. Built into the counter are regularly spaced power outlets, including standard plugs and USB ports.
It’s a small but important detail that feels inviting– come, sit by the window and charge your devices without having to hunt around for an outlet!
The whole setup feels welcoming to people who want to stay a while. It seems to embrace the idea of a coffee shop as a “third place” — somewhere outside home and work where you can spend time, get things done or catch up with someone.
That makes sense, as the Willows location is not right in the heart of downtown, as with the Lafayette location.
What’s on the Menu?
You’ll find the familiar Philz drinks, including its individually prepared pour-over coffees.
During my visit, the cafe was highlighting seasonal offerings, including a pecan drink, as well as its matcha lineup. Philz’s fall menu announcement calls that seasonal drink Pecan Pie Cold Brew, with pecan toffee, cinnamon and sea salt. Availability can change with the season.
I didn’t get a drink on this visit, so I’ll have to come back for that. But I liked the space, particularly the bright interior and thoughtful setup for laptop users.
The location is convenient, too. The Willows is across from The Veranda, near Interstate 680, with plenty of shopping center parking.
For anyone who wants a Philz without driving into downtown Walnut Creek or Lafayette or navigating (paid) parking in those cities, that’s another reason to stop by. And once you’re inside, there’s plenty of reason to pull up a seat and plug in.
