Sakura Market Brings Japanese Vibes to Downtown San Jose

Downtown San Jose gained a distinctive new retail option when Sakura Market held its soft opening on June 24 at the corner of South First Street and Paseo de San Antonio. The 5,000-square-foot store occupies the former Muji space and draws inspiration from Japan’s popular konbini convenience stores.

Shoppers can find groceries, beverages, grab-and-go items, a mini-mart selection, sake and beer bar, sushi buffet, instant ramen bar, matcha tea shop, and a wide range of Japanese snacks alongside everyday essentials. Owned by Osaka Marketplace, the location serves as a smaller version of their larger concepts and is adapted to best serve local residents (like neighboring SJSU students).

The opening helps address a noticeable gap in grocery options within Downtown San Jose. The area has lacked convenient food retail since a small-format Safeway closed in 2019. This will particularly benefit residents near San Jose State University’s Spartan Village and visitors staying at the Signia by Hilton hotel, but I'd expect it to draw people from all over the area.

One really unique feature is the instant ramen bar where you choose all of your toppings, pay, and then quickly cook your ramen at the bar. The self-serve sushi bar also looks like a winner for anyone wanting to grab a quick meal.

Sakura Market is actively hiring for positions including cashiers, customer service, stockers, cleaning staff, bartenders, and sushi preparers, with pay ranging from $18.45 to $21 per hour for part-time and full-time roles. The unique mix of food, drink, and experience-oriented retail stands to draw both locals and tourists seeking something different from standard mall offerings.

This addition strengthens the vibrant mix of shops and eateries that make Downtown San Jose an increasingly appealing destination to live and explore.

Source: SiliconValley.com

Johnny Doughnuts Opens Fifth Location at Santana Row

San Jose gains another appealing option for handcrafted treats as Johnny Doughnuts marks its official opening at Santana Row today. The San Rafael brand brings its fifth brick-and-mortar spot to the Park Valencia area, right near Maggiano’s Little Italy, after a successful soft opening period.

The compact shop spans slightly less than 600 square feet and has already created 16 new jobs in the area. Designed by California interior designer Julie Babin, the space features a simple menu of doughnuts and coffee with a nostalgic touch that fits the vibrant shopping and dining destination.

Founder Craig Blum selected the site for its energy and appeal within one of the Bay Area's lively spots. The smaller footprint drew inspiration from the company's early food truck days, allowing streamlined operations while still delivering quality to guests. Longtime clients from the tech sector, including Apple as an early supporter, now have easier access to the brand's offerings.

Response during the soft opening proved strong, with clear demand for thoughtfully made doughnuts. The company manages the distance from its North Bay base through its operations team and fleet. A sixth location in Napa stands next in line, with further growth eyed for the Peninsula, East Bay, and Southern California.

Source: SVBJ

Fountain Blues and Brews Festival Brings Timeless Sounds to Downtown San Jose

San Jose holds onto its musical roots through gatherings that fill the Plaza with energy and sound. This weekend the Fountain Blues and Brews Festival celebrates its 43rd year as California's longest running blues event.

Eric Gales and Ronnie Baker Brooks headline a program that mixes blues with soul, rock, jazz, gospel, and R&B. A beer garden stocked by more than forty craft breweries stands ready alongside food options that include lobster rolls, pizza, tacos, and barbecue from local stands.

Artisan Alley presents local makers with jewelry, crafts, and goods while the Instrument Petting Zoo offers interactive fun for all ages. The festival received the Silver Award for Best Festival in Silicon Valley in 2024 and continues to draw strong crowds.

Support from the City of San José and Mayor Matt Mahan helps sustain this tradition that began in 1981 on the San Jose State University campus. The result delivers a full experience of music, drinks, food, and community right in Downtown San Jose.

For tickets and additional information visit fountainblues.com.

Temporary Update to Posting Schedule - 2x Daily

These is too much going on right now in San Jose! I'm going to temporarily boost the post schedule to twice daily, at 7am and noon for at least the next couple weeks (including weekends). Between the crazy World Cup watch parties at San Pedro Square, new store openings like Sakura Market and nonstop summer events, there's never been a better time to hang out Downtown. 

HITT Contracting Breaks Ground on Microsoft Alviso Datacenter Campus in San Jose

HITT Contracting has broken ground on the next phase of Microsoft’s Alviso datacenter campus in San Jose. The project will deliver 48 megawatts of critical capacity, including co-location facilities and support space, to meet rising demand for cloud services, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure. Completion remains targeted for 2028.

This second phase builds on earlier site work and strengthens San Jose’s position in supporting the computing resources that power modern business and innovation across the region and the country. The greenfield development adds meaningful scale to the existing technology ecosystem while addressing the infrastructure needs that continue to grow with digital transformation.

Construction activity will generate opportunities for skilled trades workers throughout the build, while the finished campus will bring full-time operational roles once online. The investment signals ongoing confidence in San Jose as a location for large-scale technology projects and will support local economic activity through direct employment and related business activity.

Partners have framed the campus as essential infrastructure for the digital economy that also delivers lasting community value through sustained collaboration and engagement. The effort reflects a shared commitment to advancing technological capacity while contributing positively to the areas where these facilities operate

Rose, White & Blue Parade and Festival Returns to San Jose on July 4

The Rose, White & Blue Parade and Festival will mark its 19th year in San Jose on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Organizers have shaped the event as a community gathering that reframes traditional Independence Day celebrations around themes of equality, justice, and inclusion for the city’s multicultural population.

Through anti-racist education programs, partnerships, and public displays, the parade and festival will highlight efforts to address systemic racism and promote humane treatment across communities. The day will blend festivity with meaningful dialogue, allowing participants and spectators to engage with ideas of patriotism that center advocacy and opportunity for everyone.

This longstanding event continues to provide residents with a distinctive way to observe July 4th, one that emphasizes community strength and shared commitment to dismantling prejudice while enjoying the spirit of togetherness.

The parade starts at 9:45am and is followed by a festival from 11am-2pm. The Rose, White & Blue Parade and Festival is free and appropriate for all ages. For more information, visit the Rose, White & Blue website.

Vallarta Supermarkets to Open Larger Store at The Plant Shopping Center in San Jose

San Jose will soon welcome a new grocery destination as Vallarta Supermarkets prepares to open in the former Toys "R" Us space at The Plant shopping center. The nearly 60,000 square foot location will exceed the chain's usual store size and will bring approximately 150 new jobs to the area with its mid to late November opening. The center already draws crowds for Target, Home Depot, and Ulta Beauty, and this addition will turn the hub into an even stronger one-stop destination for household needs.

The family-owned chain began as a Mexican meat market back in 1985 and has directed its growth northward from a Southern California foundation in recent years. Officials signed the lease for the San Jose site about a year ago after evaluating options. They have pointed to the central position, straightforward access, and ample parking as factors that made the location stand out, particularly with other major retailers already on site to form a full shopping stop.

Company leadership has built the brand around quality, cleanliness, and service that reflect what they would choose for their own families and communities. The additional space in this store will support a wider array of fresh items while preserving those core standards throughout. Leaders have also shared hopes of opening further stores in San Jose, noting the city offers the scale and vitality to sustain more than one Vallarta location.

This development will deliver expanded grocery options along with new employment opportunities in a thriving section of the city. Shoppers seeking quality fresh goods and reliable service will gain a convenient new choice within a well-established retail environment. The opening reflects San Jose's ongoing ability to draw in regional businesses that see value in investing here and serving local residents.

Source: SVBJ

Transit-Oriented Housing Plan Emerges Next to Tasman Light Rail in San Jose

A pair of real estate developers has put forward a proposal for a 446-unit residential community right next to the Tasman light rail station in San Jose. SummerHill Homes and Cypress Equity Investments would replace a vacant office building and surface parking on a 5.9-acre site at 3550 N. First Street with 373 affordable apartments and 73 market-rate townhouse-style condominiums. The location sits between Tasman Drive and Baypoint Parkway, directly across from the station, offering future residents easy access to VTA light rail service.

The apartment portion would provide 100 percent affordable housing aimed at a range of income levels, with an average target of 60 percent of area median income. Based on 2026 Santa Clara County limits, that would translate to an average qualifying income around $123,300 for a four-person household or $86,310 for a single person. The townhomes would sell at market rates, creating a mixed-income community on the site.

The project represents another example of developers converting underused office properties into housing amid a soft commercial market. LBA Realty owns the land, having acquired it in early 2025 for well below its previous assessed value. By placing new homes steps from light rail, the plan takes advantage of existing transit infrastructure to support lower car dependence and more connected living.

This kind of transit-adjacent development adds meaningful housing options in North San Jose while repurposing empty office space. People who work in the area or want convenient commutes without daily driving will have new choices that fit different budgets and lifestyles. The proposal reflects ongoing efforts to grow San Jose's residential capacity in locations that already have strong public transportation links.

Source: The Mercury News

Flora Restaurant Arrives at Santana Row with Style

Santana Row will gain a versatile new restaurant this summer when Flora opens in the former Rosie McCann's space. The 4,800 square foot venue will seat roughly 170 guests around a 26-foot indoor-outdoor bar and will create 70 to 90 local jobs. Three South Bay hospitality veterans have teamed up to transform the long-vacant site into an all-day destination with service stretching from brunch into late night, including weekend hours until 2 a.m.

Danny Shafazand, Jameson Parvizad, and Russ Fukushima draw on experience from other local spots to create something distinct. They have worked with Basile Studio, the firm behind several other San Jose projects, and R3 Builders to shape a nature-inspired space. The design supports flexible programming that shifts with the time of day, allowing the atmosphere to evolve from daytime meals to evening gatherings with music and entertainment.

The partners aim to make Flora the heart of Santana Row and a place that attracts visitors from across Silicon Valley. Rather than replicate the past, they have focused on building a fresh identity with elevated yet approachable food and beverage offerings that blend familiar elements in new ways. Entertainment will adapt throughout the day, with DJs and live music integrated to match the moment, whether during weekend brunch or later hours.

This investment signals continued momentum for Santana Row as it refreshes its mix of dining and nightlife options. The substantial commitment from the team reflects their desire to deliver a flagship experience that combines their collective years in hospitality.

Source: SVBJ

Exotic Cars Meet Morning Pastries at Santana Row

The Rebirth Edition of Cars & Croissants on The Row will arrive at Santana Row on June 28. From 9am to noon, an impressive collection of supercars, luxury vehicles, and exotic marques will line up for close inspection under the open sky.

Organized once more by 100|OCT, the event will revive a tradition that pairs mechanical artistry with the pleasures of a proper breakfast. Attendees will wander among vehicles that represent the pinnacle of design and performance while the scent of fresh croissants drifts from nearby tables and cafes.

The event is free to attend and if you have an exotic car you'd like to showcase, you can learn more about reserving a space over here.