Downtown Orinda is adding at least half a dozen new businesses to its commercial core. The city is backing the growth with $75,000 in facade improvement grants.

The wave of openings includes CreekHaus, a nearly 10,000-square-foot food and drink complex at 31 Orinda Way; Sorso Bar and Bites, an Italian small-plates spot at 2 Orinda Theatre Square; and newer arrivals Shemroon Cafe, 8Moose Pizzeria, Lamorinda Atelier and Nine Tailed Fox, Patch reported Sept. 10.

Councilmember Latika Malkani told Patch that Orinda's downtown holds potential to become a Lamorinda shopping and dining destination.

CreekHaus takes shape on Orinda Way

Ben Zarrin, founder of the Orinda-based real estate and design-build firm Paymun, is converting a former Bank of America branch into CreekHaus. The first phase will feature a café from San Francisco roaster Equator Coffees and a beer garden with craft beer, wine and sourdough pizza from PizzaHacker, all overlooking San Pablo Creek, according to Diablo Magazine.

An upscale bistro and cocktail lounge will follow in a later phase. Paymun's offices will occupy the upper floors.

Zarrin, who lives in Orinda with his wife and four children, told Diablo Magazine in August that younger families moving to town shaped his thinking. He described the project as "Orinda's backyard."

Paymun initially targeted a midsummer opening. That timeline has shifted, and the project will roll out in phases with no firm date. "Our team is currently focused on getting the building across the finish line," Paymun spokesperson Alex Arnoff told The Orinda News.

Within 100 feet of CreekHaus, Paymun is also eyeing development on an adjacent empty lot.

Sorso Bar and Bites nears opening

Orinda resident and veteran Italian restaurateur Daniele Carsano is fitting out the 1,100-square-foot former Starbucks space near the Orinda Theatre for Sorso Bar and Bites, Diablo Magazine reported. The menu will center on Italian small plates, seasonal produce and fresh seafood, paired with cocktails and wine.

Carsano had aimed to open the week after Labor Day, but Diablo Magazine reported Sept. 2 that the debut would be slightly delayed.

"I'm trying to sort of put Orinda on the map and create a little buzz," Carsano told The Orinda News.

City backs storefronts with facade grants

Behind the new openings sits a policy push. The Orinda City Council voted in June to create a Facade Improvement Program allocating $75,000 in grants through June 2027, according to Lamorinda Weekly.

Businesses can receive up to $10,000 for smaller projects with no match required. For larger work, the city covers the first $10,000 and then matches up to $20,000 more the business spends, for a maximum grant of $30,000. Eligible improvements include paint, signage, awnings, outdoor seating, windows, exterior lighting and landscaping.

Cole Haselip, assistant to the city manager, presented the program to the council, noting Orinda drew inspiration from similar efforts in Alameda, Fairfield and other Bay Area cities. City Manager Linda Smith said in June that the tiered structure was shaped by feedback from local businesses, some of which wanted help with smaller changes like awnings or railings before committing to larger renovations.

Planning Director Lashun Cross told the Planning Commission on Aug. 11 that the City Council agreed with the commission's recommendations for the program. A final adoption date for the enabling ordinance has not been announced.

Property owners and tenants can both apply, though tenants must show they have the owner's permission to make improvements.