In less than a handful of years, a concept to spread Mexican culture and its traditions by way of a San Jose cafe has blossomed into an ever-growing franchise of stores, with Gilroy among the latest cities to embrace the model in its historic downtown. Con Azucar Cafe co-owners Alejandra Gonzalez, her husband Uriel Soto...
Mountain View scraps bond, opts for hotel tax measure
Looking to give the city an injection of new revenue, Mountain View is putting a measure on the November ballot that would increase taxes on local hotels. The City Council unanimously supported a staff recommendation on June 23 to move forward with a ballot initiative that would authorize the city to raise its existing 10% “transient...
Economic plan aims to uplift East San Jose
East San Jose could soon get its first neighborhood-wide economic roadmap, as city leaders look for ways to attract investment and strengthen commercial corridors that residents and business owners say have long been overlooked. District 5 Councilmember Peter Ortiz is spearheading the East San Jose Economic Revitalization Framework, a planning effort approved through the city’s...
Silicon Valley office market still shaky, despite gains
An uptick in leasing activity in Silicon Valley’s commercial real estate market has offered a glimmer of hope that a stronger post-pandemic economic recovery may be taking hold. But market watchers caution that high office vacancies are likely to remain for years to come. The rate of commercial lease deals over the first quarter of...
Sunnyvale hits pause on new smoke shops
Sunnyvale leaders want to stop new smoke shops from popping up in town, especially near schools and other youth-oriented areas. The Sunnyvale City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a 45-day emergency moratorium to temporarily halt new smoke shop permits and introduced a separate policy banning nitrous oxide sales citywide. The proposed regulations come as city...
San Jose restaurant to relocate after city takes away parking
A long-standing Mexican restaurant is relocating after San Jose converted the motel next door into a homeless shelter. Los Garcia’s Restaurant will move into the former Fairway Zone Sports and Bar Lounge at 1150 Murphy Ave. in North San Jose following months of declining income, due in large part to customers not being able to find...
Is struggling hotel a bellwether for downtown San Jose?
With the Signia by Hilton San Jose seemingly set to be put on the market, questions are swirling about the future of San Jose’s largest hotel — and what it will mean for downtown. BrightSpire Capital, the owner of the 541-room hotel at 170 S. Market St., signaled to investors in a recent sales call...
High gas prices gouge Silicon Valley
Surging gas prices will cut $1.1 billion from household income in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties this year and eliminate 2,600 jobs, according to estimates from a San Jose economic think tank. A recent report from Joint Venture Silicon Valley shows total economic output in the two counties will drop by $706 million if...
San Jose eyes reviving outdoor dining program
When COVID-19 struck in 2020 and health officials banned most indoor business activities, Doug Cookerly was among dozens of San Jose business owners who took advantage of the city’s emergency Al Fresco outdoor dining program to add outside seating. “It was a savior,” Cookerly, who owns the bar Hop & Vine located on The Alameda,...
Barnes & Noble plans store in Cupertino
In tech driven Silicon Valley, Barnes & Noble is bringing back its brick-and-mortar brand to Cupertino. The store, located at 20740 Stevens Creek Blvd., is part of a nationwide expansion aimed at launching 60 stores in 2026. The 19,200-square-foot bookstore will feature a modern design layout, along with curated selections of books, toys and more....