Original Joe's reopens, a new bank arrives - Walnut Creek celebrating a bump in business.

WALNUT CREEK, CA —Walnut Creek reported a 21 percent bump in new business licenses.

That includes the re-opening of Original Joe's In Walnut Creek on South Main Street and a branch of the Five Star Bank on North California Boulevard, both of which have San Francisco origins.

Walnut Creek Mayor Cindy Darling attributed the increase to a streamlined process that makes opening a new business in the town easier.

"City leaders are committed to welcoming and supporting new businesses, while continuing to invest in the local businesses that give Walnut Creek its unique small-town charm," read a Facebook post.

"Can you bring in cute little cafes and second-hand shops? Also, a skate park in downtown for the teens?" a follower, Susana AF, wrote.

"When is the last time you were downtown? You must have missed the cafes," another subscriber, Bob Cowden, responded.

Key industries in Walnut Creek include professional, scientific, and technical services, as well as healthcare, finance, insurance, and retail.

Kaiser Permanente and John Muir Medical Group each have operations in Walnut Creek.
It is not clear what the starting point was for the growth or the actual number of license applications.

However, business licenses issued in 2022 climbed to well above 300 and then dipped to just above the 300 mark, according to Walnut Creek's Economic Development Office. The applications were below 300 between 2018 and 2021.

Detailed data was not available from city officials in time for this reporting. Check back for updates.