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.

Make Music San José Fills Streets, Parks, and Venues with Free Music This Sunday

San Jose will come alive with music this Sunday as Make Music San José returns for a full day of free performances across the city. Hundreds of musicians, from professionals and students to amateur groups and solo artists, will take the stage—or the sidewalk—in dozens of locations. The event turns libraries, parks, plazas, breweries, museums, and even grocery store patios into stages for anyone who wants to share their sound.

Performances will pop up from early morning into the evening, with busking areas along Paseo de San Antonio in Downtown San Jose offering spontaneous sets throughout the day. Libraries from Alviso to East San José and Willow Glen will host family-friendly shows, while spots like Levitt Pavilion, History Park, and various cafes welcome everything from jazz and rock to cultural ensembles and karaoke. The variety ensures that every neighborhood has something happening nearby.

Attendees can wander between performances using the interactive map available on the Make Music San José site, discovering new artists or returning to favorite styles as the day unfolds. Since all events remain completely free and open to the public, families, friends, and solo explorers can build their own itineraries without any cost or advance planning beyond checking the schedule.

This citywide celebration highlights how music brings people together in San José, creating connections across generations and backgrounds through shared listening and spontaneous discovery. Whether someone settles in at a park concert or follows the sound of a guitar down a downtown walkway, the day offers countless ways to experience the joy that comes from live music made by the community itself.

For a map of participating locations and featured artists, head over here.

Prismatic Market Brings Local Makers, DIY Fun, and Inclusive Vibes to Downtown San Jose This Saturday

This Saturday afternoon, Parque de los Pobladores in Downtown San Jose will host the Prismatic Market, a free outdoor celebration that gathers local artists, makers, and the community for several hours of creative connection. From 2 to 7 p.m., the event will turn the plaza into a welcoming hub where people can browse, create, swap, and simply enjoy being together in an inclusive space centered in the city’s LGBTQIA+ neighborhood.

Visitors will discover a compact marketplace featuring eight local makers, artists, and retailers alongside a collaborative pop-up from Derptiles Café and Baby Tiger Bakery serving coffee, matcha, and pastries. A live DJ set will run through much of the afternoon while stations invite participation through trinket trading, free coloring with exclusive pages, and several hands-on DIY options that range from decorating toploaders to assembling friendship bracelets or custom keycap keychains.

Additional experiences will include queer-affirming bangs and trims offered on a sliding scale by Pageboy Salon and a free thrift browsing area with Pride collection pieces plus styling guidance from SJ Clothing Swap. The first 500 people through the gate will also receive a special event-exclusive illustration giveaway, adding one more reason to arrive early and take part in the full lineup.

By spotlighting small local creators and offering low-pressure ways to make, trade, and connect, the market creates an afternoon where self-expression and community feel natural and accessible. Those seeking a relaxed, colorful way to spend a Saturday in Downtown San Jose will find plenty of reasons to stop by Parque de los Pobladores and join the celebration.

For more info and a full list of vendors visit the Prismatic Market page over here.

Japantown San Jose Welcomes Summer with Weekly Markets and a Fresh Artist Pop-Up at Empire Seven Studios

Summer weather sets the stage for outdoor exploration in Japantown, where the Night Market on Thursdays and the Farmers Market on Sundays will bring liveliness to the neighborhood each week through the fall.

Empire Seven Studios continues to draw attention for its careful selection of books, prints, apparel, housewares, handmade artist goods, and original artworks. Every piece carries a connection to the creators and the wider artistic circle that calls the studio home. Subtle collaborations and quiet friendships shape the inventory, and visitors often comment on how the curation feels personal and story-driven rather than mass-produced.

A new Pop Up Series now launches at the studio, beginning with the work of Nychos from Rabbit Eye Movement. After a trip to his Los Angeles studio, the space received an assortment of prints, postcards, skateboards, patches, pins, shirts, hats, and books. Some of these items stand out as special finds no longer offered through other outlets, giving San Jose residents and collectors a direct way to access them locally for personal enjoyment or thoughtful gifts.

The series reflects a simple aim: share distinctive artist creations with the community while adding another layer of activity to Japantown’s regular rhythm of markets and creative gatherings. Those who value original work and neighborhood character will find a worthwhile stop at Empire Seven Studios, where the focus remains on connection, discovery, and supporting the artists who help define San Jose’s cultural landscape.

Bb.q Chicken Plans Second San Jose Location on Hillsdale Avenue

San Jose food lovers gain another destination for Korean fried chicken when Bb.q Chicken opens its second local outpost at 1795 Hillsdale Ave. The South Korean chain filed a liquor license application for the spot in a busy strip mall that already includes Home Depot, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods and Target. This addition brings the brand’s signature offerings to a convenient retail corridor on the city’s south side.

The new restaurant will join existing South Bay locations in Cupertino, Sunnyvale and Milpitas. Founded in 1995, Bb.q Chicken has grown into a global operation with thousands of stores across dozens of countries. Its menu features crispy fried chicken alongside Korean classics such as tteokbokki, rice bowls and dumplings.

The chain built its reputation on quality Korean street food and a focus on bold flavors. With rapid expansion across the United States since 2014, the brand continues to introduce more communities to its take on familiar favorites and lesser-known dishes from the Korean table.

Chicken-focused concepts keep multiplying throughout Silicon Valley. Several other national chains have announced or opened new sites in the region over the past year, reflecting strong local demand for this category of fast-casual dining.

Source: SVBJ

Game Day Score Big at AJI Bar & Robata in Downtown San Jose

Soccer fans seeking a new gathering place in Downtown San Jose will have the launch of a special themed menu at AJI Bar & Robata this month. Located inside the Signia by Hilton San Jose, the restaurant designed dishes around the global tournament under headings like Hat Trick Nachos, Penalty Kick Sliders, and Kickoff Buckets of Wings.

The Gochujang BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos come piled high with waffle fries, queso, smoked crema, pineapple salsa, jalapeno, cotija cheese, and green onion. The Red Card Steak Sandwich features six ounces of New York steak on artisan bread, chimichurri sauce, caramelized onion, sauteed mushrooms, and onion rings.

Order Lemon Tamarind chicken wings by the ten or twenty count bucket and select from available sauces. The mix and match Wagyu Hot Dogs include options such as Chili Cheese, Bacon & Brie, and Surf & Turf.

A full bar complements the food with wines, beers, artisanal cocktails, Japanese whiskies, and sakes. Creative combinations appear in drinks like the Smoked Samba, which blends Maestro Dobel reposado, mezcal, house-made honey syrup, fevertree ginger beer, and lime juice. The Passion Fruit Pisco Sour combines El Gobernador pisco, Chinola passion fruit liqueur, lemon syrup, and egg white.

AJI opens at noon on Bay Area match days and equips the space with TVs and projection screens for optimal viewing. The themed menu runs through July 1. I've been here multiple times and have never been disappointed. Grab a seat, order a few items to share, and experience the matches in the heart of Downtown San Jose.

New Eight-Story Apartment Building Planned Near SAP Center

San Jose adds has a new proposed mid-rise development in the Garden-Alameda neighborhood. Plans filed with the city show a new eight-story apartment building at 945 W. Julian St., right at the intersection with Morrison Avenue. The project would replace a house and office that currently occupy the site and bring 136 new units to the area.

The development team, headed by Anthony Ho, envisions a mix of homes suited to different needs. Twenty-eight studios would measure about 360 square feet. Fifty-four one-bedroom apartments would come in at roughly 490 square feet. Another fifty-four two-bedroom units would offer around 730 square feet each. The site covers just under a half acre.

This stretch of Julian Street already hosts the Diridon West apartments, a 249-unit project completed in recent years at the corner of Stockton Avenue. The current proposal would make use of Senate Bill 330 provisions that help expedite housing reviews across California.

Living here would put residents within easy reach of SAP Center events, from hockey games to major concerts. The spot also benefits from connections to regional transit and the broader momentum building around the Diridon station area.

City planning records describe the submission as preliminary. Final designs and details remain subject to change through the review process. Even at this stage, the plans reflect sustained interest in creating more places to call home near one of San Jose's most recognizable landmarks.

Source: The Mercury News