San Jose’s local businesses have faced a whirlwind of economic shocks in recent years. A growing number of small business owners want to find their footing by banding together through the formation of new business improvement districts. The City Council on Dec. 16 advanced proposals for two such districts — one covering the Alum Rock-Santa...
2025 in review: The top 5 Biz Beat stories
This year was an interesting one for Biz Beat, with a greater mix of unusual businesses, in addition to its usual focus on restaurants and food. It started at Santana Row’s Fitoor, with fantastic Indian dishes presented in ways that reflected the chef’s cruise ship experience, and ended with the revival of Charlie Rose Baseball,...
Silicon Valley grocery prices rank as No. 1 rising cost, residents say
Supermarket sticker shock is top of mind for Bay Area residents, according to a report by think tank Joint Venture Silicon Valley. It takes first place, ahead of other categories hit hard by inflation including housing costs and utility bills. In response to a survey asking, “Which of the following do you think have increased...
‘A charming little place’: Willow Glen dog boutique is closing
Willow Glen’s main drag is about to lose its bark, and dog lovers are devastated. Gussied Up Dog Boutique, at 1310 Lincoln Ave., will be closing once the store’s inventory is gone. The store’s landlord declined to renew the lease, citing major plumbing repairs. “Hearing all the stories, how much this store means to people,...
San Jose shopping cart crackdown could be costly
As part of a year-long effort to rein in San Jose’s problem with abandoned shopping carts, the city has been reviewing proposals to hire a company to retrieve and return carts to grocery stores. A three-month pilot program shows such a retrieval service could easily recoup its costs through fees charged to grocers. However, the hundreds of...
San Jose cracks down on Vietnam Town mismanagement
San Jose officials have long known about mismanagement concerns surrounding Little Saigon’s signature commercial center. But now they’re taking action this week after San José Spotlight’s reporting and a lawsuit by merchants showed the extent of Vietnam Town’s neglect. The city’s Planning, Building and Code Enforcement Department has ordered Vietnam Town management to remove barricades...
San Jose Vietnamese shops sue over alleged mismanagement
At San Jose’s Vietnam Town, struggling merchants find it hard to recognize their signature commercial center. Instead, they see a plaza that chases out visitors. It’s eerily quiet during the day. The ramps of Vietnam Town’s main parking garage have been cordoned off with dumpsters, choking out parking options for would-be customers. Security is towing...
Los Gatos cafe reopens after Thanksgiving crash
Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company is partially back in business following a devastating car crash on Thanksgiving that will keep half of the town’s beloved shop closed for at least several months. Longtime customers and residents have rallied around founder and co-owner Teri Hope, raising more than $51,000 through GoFundMe to help support the shop’s...
Santa Clara high-rise housing project would displace businesses
Affordable high-rise housing is closer to sprouting along El Camino Real in Santa Clara, but it would displace numerous local businesses. Pennsylvania-based developer Toll Brothers wants to replace more than a dozen stores in Santa Clara’s longstanding Moonlite Shopping Center with 601 homes at 2610 El Camino Real. The development proposal includes a trio of...
Fed food cuts spur San Jose eatery to offer free meals
Bay Area restaurants are stepping up to provide meals to families affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown and the looming loss of food stamps. Tony & Alba’s Pizza & Pasta in San Jose is offering free meals to children and a 25% discount to parents until the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is funded....