Entrepreneurs are still willing to take the plunge to open new businesses in downtown San Jose, even as the city’s core grapples with empty streets and storefronts. K&J Sweets and Bakery held its grand opening celebration Thursday morning, welcoming more than 50 people through its doors on East San Carlos Street. The Latino, family-owned bakery is one of several...
Downtown San Jose block party kicks off the weekend early
It may not be the weekend, but downtown San Jose is ready to party. A block party on Thursday night hosted by nonprofit Urban Vibrancy Institute aims to attract hundreds of residents to downtown San Jose, in the hopes these midweek events will keep the momentum going for this long-struggling area. The block party is...
Why dozens of downtown San Jose storefronts are vacant
When Khanh Chung steps out of his barbershop, he wants to see dozens of San Jose workers and residents bustling down First Street, but instead it’s a ghost town. That’s not how he envisioned it when he opened Concept in January 2022. The pandemic was waning and people were returning to work and normalcy. But his...
San Jose Cinco de Mayo street closures seen as ‘racist’
San Jose’s 36-year ban on cruising was lifted last fall—but the closure of 10 different highway ramps over Cinco de Mayo weekend left residents wondering whether the reversal was just symbolic. San Jose police coordinated with Caltrans and California Highway Patrol beginning Friday evening through early Monday morning to close several on-and-off ramps heading into...
Could street performers reignite downtown San Jose?
There’s something magical about walking through a city center while being serenaded to the riffs of a live guitar, then turning down an alley where the smooth sounds of a saxophone bounce off brick walls to fill the air. Spontaneous street performances have the ability to breathe life into a city. But downtown San Jose has never truly experienced that,...
When will downtown San Jose get another grocery store?
The once-busy corner of Second and San Fernando streets in San Jose that was home to a Safeway has been vacant for three years, and retailers are not jumping at the chance to fill the space. Safeway closed in 2019, after opening in 2009 to great fanfare. It was the only grocery store at the time...
San Jose Fallon statue is heading to storage
After two years, work has finally started on removing a controversial San Jose monument. On Tuesday, construction workers started jackhammering the three-foot concrete pedestal of the Thomas Fallon statue, crumbling concrete and sending dust flying. The statue, located at the intersection of St. James and Julian streets, has caused public uproar for more than three...
UPDATE: San Jose council wants iconic landmark in the heart of downtown
San Jose officials are considering bringing a towering landmark to a downtown park. The promoters of the “The Breeze of Innovation”—a design that would use hundreds of swaying rods powered by wind to light up at night atop a viewing platform and cafe—want to build the landmark at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. The San Jose...
How one group is working to revitalize downtown San Jose
A longtime goal of revitalizing San Jose’s downtown will require input and energy from a broad group of politicians, residents, advocates and businesses. One venture capitalist hopes a series of meetings will accelerate and complement existing efforts to make the downtown cleaner, safer and bring in more visitors to support local businesses still reeling after...
Can San Jose create a downtown entertainment district?
Providing a fun and safe experience for visitors coming to downtown San Jose are top priorities in a new proposal for an entertainment district in the city’s urban core. Leading this development effort is real estate mogul Gary Dillabough, who believes as safety improves in San Jose it will soon be ready for a central...