A brand new Yogurtland is coming to Downtown San Jose near SJSU at 125 E. San Carlos Street. Some of you may remember this as the old Gamestop space. Thanks to Arlene for the tip!
I'm sorry Josh, but I just can't get excited about this Yogurt joint opening up in DSJ (any bets on how long it will be in business?). And anon826 above is right. When will we finally be able to celebrate something awesome opening in DSJ? Whatever happened to the high-end bowling alley, restaurant on S. Second St? Can we get an Apple Store? Cisco Field anyone?
I have to admit that I'm not super excited about this one even though I love froyo. This will be our 6th froyo place downtown, and Whipp's is tough to beat since they have a super unique product in addition to both yogurt and gelato.
However, I am excited that this will fill up a retail storefront that has been empty for years. Contiguous retail corridors is what will help bring more people to downtown streets, and will help accelerate more unique venues.
Have some good news on retail on 1st St, will post about that soon. Also I would recommend checking out Myth on Post St.... solid improvement over Smoke.
I disagree entirely. I was out there last night (a Tuesday), and there was a surprising amount of foot traffic along san fernando, 1st, and 2nd streets. Certain corridors are starting to gain traction and more retail slots are being filled up than closing down.
Interesting points of view. Do you even live in downtown?
I live right at 2nd and San Fernando (and work downtown) and there is no useful retail to speak of, except for Safeway. The only significant foot traffic tends to be creeps and vagrants milling around the VTA stops and a whole lot of disgusting drunks from Thursday through Saturday nights at the Loft, Tres Gringos and San Jose Bar & Grill. I doubt that the losers who frequent those places even live downtown, but they sure are comfortable guzzling beer in the parking lots, pissing on the side of my home, barfing, getting in fights.
I am an east coast transplant going on two years. I have always lived in an urban environment, but I find downtown to be quite shocking. Pathetic really, considering it is surrounded by wealth and innovation. Our city leadership appears to have little or no interest in making real change - or if they do, I don't have time to wait it out. I've officially given up on downtown. It's way too dysfunctional. My plan is to move, commute in for work and get the hell out. Darn.
I'm Downtown at least twice per week, have been to 178 different restaurants that are currently open Downtown, and have even stayed at most of the hotels even though I live 10 minutes away. I also have plans to both move Downtown and open up a business Downtown sometime this decade.
Fortunately, I don't share your sentiments and haven't had the same experiences (although I've definitely had some negative experiences as well).
Instead of 2nd and San Fernando, you might have a better experience in one of the towers (360, The 88, Axis, City Heights) or the condos on 4th.
Also forgot to mention Naglee Park, that should be an easy bike ride to work or long walk: http://thinkbiggersanjose.blog.com/2011/07/25/naglee-park-a-charming-historical-neighborhood-often-forgotten/
How many more of these places do we need?!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry Josh, but I just can't get excited about this Yogurt joint opening up in DSJ (any bets on how long it will be in business?). And anon826 above is right. When will we finally be able to celebrate something awesome opening in DSJ? Whatever happened to the high-end bowling alley, restaurant on S. Second St? Can we get an Apple Store? Cisco Field anyone?
ReplyDeleteTony gets it. San Jose isn't gonna improve as long as we are celebrating yogurt joints. For real...
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I'm not super excited about this one even though I love froyo. This will be our 6th froyo place downtown, and Whipp's is tough to beat since they have a super unique product in addition to both yogurt and gelato.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I am excited that this will fill up a retail storefront that has been empty for years. Contiguous retail corridors is what will help bring more people to downtown streets, and will help accelerate more unique venues.
Have some good news on retail on 1st St, will post about that soon. Also I would recommend checking out Myth on Post St.... solid improvement over Smoke.
We don't really need "unique." I'll take a freaking Foot Locker at this point. Downtown seriously sucks.
ReplyDeleteI disagree entirely. I was out there last night (a Tuesday), and there was a surprising amount of foot traffic along san fernando, 1st, and 2nd streets. Certain corridors are starting to gain traction and more retail slots are being filled up than closing down.
ReplyDeleteInteresting points of view. Do you even live in downtown?
ReplyDeleteI live right at 2nd and San Fernando (and work downtown) and there is no useful retail to speak of, except for Safeway. The only significant foot traffic tends to be creeps and vagrants milling around the VTA stops and a whole lot of disgusting drunks from Thursday through Saturday nights at the Loft, Tres Gringos and San Jose Bar & Grill. I doubt that the losers who frequent those places even live downtown, but they sure are comfortable guzzling beer in the parking lots, pissing on the side of my home, barfing, getting in fights.
I am an east coast transplant going on two years. I have always lived in an urban environment, but I find downtown to be quite shocking. Pathetic really, considering it is surrounded by wealth and innovation. Our city leadership appears to have little or no interest in making real change - or if they do, I don't have time to wait it out. I've officially given up on downtown. It's way too dysfunctional. My plan is to move, commute in for work and get the hell out. Darn.
I'm Downtown at least twice per week, have been to 178 different restaurants that are currently open Downtown, and have even stayed at most of the hotels even though I live 10 minutes away. I also have plans to both move Downtown and open up a business Downtown sometime this decade.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, I don't share your sentiments and haven't had the same experiences (although I've definitely had some negative experiences as well).
Instead of 2nd and San Fernando, you might have a better experience in one of the towers (360, The 88, Axis, City Heights) or the condos on 4th.
Also forgot to mention Naglee Park, that should be an easy bike ride to work or long walk:
ReplyDeletehttp://thinkbiggersanjose.blog.com/2011/07/25/naglee-park-a-charming-historical-neighborhood-often-forgotten/