Business

Business

The Biz Beat: Booze and bands at The Note Lounge in Milpitas

If you’re looking for the finest Japanese-born bluesman ever to come out of the clubs of Chicago to play in Milpitas, you’ll find Yoshi Senzaki playing guitar at The Note Lounge, a low-key bar with a unique character and excellent live music. “When The Note reopened after the COVID restrictions were lifted, our band sometimes outnumbered the customers,”...

Cannabis union efforts stop short in San Jose

The legalization of cannabis in California has touched off a wave of unionization efforts across the state, but the movement has been slow in San Jose—a city that has been iffy about growing its small weed industry. According to Jim Araby, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 5 strategic campaign director, only one of...

State bill could give San Jose speed enforcement cameras

San Jose is one step closer to getting speed enforcement cameras to combat a leading cause of traffic fatalities. The California Assembly’s transportation committee voted unanimously Monday to advance Assembly Bill 2336, which would authorize the use of automated speed enforcement cameras in San Jose, Los Angeles, Oakland, Glendale and San Francisco. The bill heads to...

Silicon Valley unemployment declines but disparities increase

Unemployment is in decline across Silicon Valley, but experts say the region’s recovery reflects social inequities. The South Bay’s unemployment rate dropped to 2.8% last month, 0.1% lower than the unemployment rate in March 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, according to a new report from Joint Venture Silicon Valley’s Institute for Regional Studies. Employers added...

San Jose legislator wants to extend ADA compliance program

A South Bay lawmaker wants to help small businesses become accessible to people with disabilities by extending a program that funds inspections and building grants. Assembly Bill 2164, authored by San Jose Assemblyman Alex Lee, would allow local governments to continue collecting a $4 fee attached to permits and licenses to fund disability compliance programs....

San Jose group fights water company over rate hike

A small group wants to stop San Jose’s main water retailer from changing its rate structure, arguing this will potentially remove an incentive for conserving water. Water Rate Advocates for Transparency, Equity and Sustainability (WRATES)—a group that advocates on behalf of water customers—challenged San Jose Water Company’s proposed rate hike and is currently in litigation...

99 Ranch Market fills void at South San Jose mall

Thousands of residents flocked to Westfield Oakridge Mall on Tuesday to check out the latest store bringing an expansive variety of pan-Asian produce, baked goods and hot food to South San Jose. The 99 Ranch Market company, one of the largest Asian supermarket chains in the nation, unveiled its newest store this week at Oakridge Mall...

San Jose Downtown Association looks for new leader

The powerful San Jose Downtown Association is preparing for its first leadership change in 34 years. The business group announced a nationwide search on Monday to find its next CEO. Scott Knies, who has led the organization since opening its first office in March 1988, will step down on Nov. 1. Applications for the job are...