Showing posts with label downtown san jose shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label downtown san jose shopping. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Shop Local Campaign

It's still not too late to do some Christmas Shopping! 🎁

Mayor Sam Liccardo launched a #ShopLocalSJ campaign to encourage people to support San Jose businesses and help keep them afloat in these challenging times. It's a great way to contribute to our local community.

To see a list of Downtown San Jose businesses, head over here. I also have to plug SJMADE, which has a great selection of hyperlocal crafts and foods for purchase here.

Source: SVBJ



Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Harvest Festival 2017 - Nov. 24-26 at the SJ Convention Center

The West Coast's largest indoor arts and crafts show is coming to Downtown San Jose this weekend. The festival features thousands of American-made arts and crafts including original art, jewelry, clothing, toys, and home decor. Many of the gifts can be custom ordered or personalized.

To compliment the shopping, there will be an assortment of food, music, and live entertainment. Several bands will be performing throughout the show including Le Jazz Hot. Holiday-themed entertainers will also wander the halls throughout the three day show.

While parents shop, kids can play at an interactive KidZone. Here they can build their own art projects such as gingerbread cookie decorating.

The Harvest Festival will run from (Black) Friday, November 24 to Sunday, November 26th at the San Jose Convention Center. Hours are 10am-5pm on Friday, 10am-6pm on Saturday, and 10am-5pm on Sunday. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and military, $4 for teenagers, and those 12 & under are free. You can print a $2 off coupon on this page (lower right). Admission includes the whole weekend, not just a specific day.

For more information or to buy tickets, head over to the Harvest Festival website over here.





Friday, November 25, 2016

Shop Small Saturday

Instead of supporting giant chain stores this "Black Friday weekend," why not support local Downtown San Jose businesses?

9 Downtown shops are participating in Shop Small Saturday tomorrow, Nov. 26. All are colorful, offering an eclectic assortment of merchandise perfect for holiday gift-giving.

They’re a collection of museum shops and true moms-and-pops. These unique shops are one-of-a kind.

San Jose has more than 56,000 small businesses that have fewer than 35 employees.

The day is dedicated to supporting small businesses, getting shoppers to do their holiday shopping at local retailers, and boosting the local economy. These small businesses constitute a significant proportion of the San Jose economy and are a vital factor in creating local jobs.

These are the participating shops:

  • KALEID Gallery, 88 S., Fourth St. (1)
  • Tabard Theatre Co, 28 N. San Pedro St. (2)
  • Children's Discovery Museum Gift Shop (CDM): 180 Woz Way (3)
  • Museum of Art Gift Shop: 110 S Market Street (4)
  • Tech Museum Gift Shop: 201 S Market St (5)
  • San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles: 520 S 1st Street (6)
  • Joan Philips, Executive Director or Lousie Horkey, Volunteer, Events and Retail Coordinator
  • Cathedral Gift Shop: 80 S Market St (7)
  • Hammer and Lewis: 19 S First Street (8)
  • Diaz Menswear: 70 E Santa Clara Street (9)

This event has been put together by the San Jose Downtown Association and you can find more information as well as an interactive map over here.





Friday, November 11, 2016

Harvest Festival 2016 - Nov. 25-27 at the SJ Convention Center

The West Coast's largest indoor arts and crafts show is coming to Downtown San Jose in two weeks. The festival features thousands of American-made arts and crafts including original art, jewelry, clothing, toys, and home decor. Many of the gifts can be custom ordered or personalized.

To compliment the shopping, there will be an assortment of food, music, and live entertainment. Several bands will be performing throughout the show including James Garner's Cash Tribute. Holiday-themed entertainers will also wander the halls throughout the three day show.

While parents shop, kids can play at an interactive KidZone. Here the tykes can build their own art projects such as gingerbread cookie decorating.

The Harvest Festival will run from (Black) Friday, November 25 to Sunday, November 27th at the San Jose Convention Center. Hours are 9am-6pm on Friday, 10am-6pm on Saturday, and 10am-5pm on Sunday. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and military, $4 for teenagers, and those 12 & under are free. You can print a $2 off coupon on this page (lower right). Admission includes the whole weekend, not just a specific day.

For more information or to buy tickets, head over to the Harvest Festival website over here.






Saturday, November 28, 2015

Small Business Saturday - Downtown San Jose

12 Downtown San Jose small businesses will be open today as part of a new event to encourage supporting Downtown retail. Parking validation is included for patrons of any of these businesses and this is a great event to combine with Christmas in the Park, Ice Skating, or visiting one of the 250 restaurants Downtown. Below is the list of shops open today and you can find out more information at the Small Business Saturday Facebook Page.

  • Seeing Things Gallery: 30 N. Third Street
  • Underground Boutique: 15 N 2nd Street
  • Cathedral Gift Shop: 80 S Market St
  • Circle A Skateboards: 108 Paseo De San Antonio Walk
  • Diaz Menswear: 70 E Santa Clara Street
  • Hammer and Lewis: 19 S First Street
  • Andy's Pet Shop:  51 Notre Dame Ave
  • Museum of Art Gift Shop: 110 S Market Street
  • Tech Museum Gift Shop: 201 S Market St
  • Children's Discovery Museum Gift Shop (CDM): 180 Woz Way
  • San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles: 520 S 1st Street
  • Mosher's LTD: 170 S Market Street


Friday, October 9, 2015

Harvest Festival 2015 - November 27-29 at the Convention Center

Next month the Harvest Festival is bringing a huge assortment of arts & crafts to Downtown San Jose. The festival--now a San Jose Black Friday holiday shopping tradition--features 24,000 American-made arts and crafts. In fact, it is the largest indoor arts and crafts show on the West Coast. You have everything from original art, jewelry, clothing, toys, and home decor. Many of the gifts can be custom ordered or personalized.

To compliment the shopping, there will be an assortment of food and music. Several bands will be performing throughout the show including James Garner's Cash Tribute and Le Jazz Hot (French Gypsy Jazz). There will also be holiday-themed entertainers wandering the festival.

While parents shop, kids can play at an expanded and interactive KidZone. Here the tykes can build their own art projects such as gingerbread cookie decorating.

New to the San Jose Harvest Festival this year is a series of Safety and Basic Use classes hosted by TechShop San Jose. Topics include sewing and vinyl cutting. Usually these classes are $90, but will be offered first-come-first-serve for $5 at the festival.

The Harvest Festival will run from (Black) Friday, November 27 to Sunday, November 29th at the San Jose Convention Center. Hours are 9am-6pm on Friday, 10am-6pm on Saturday, and 10am-5pm on Sunday. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors, $4 for teenagers, and those 12 & under are free. Admission includes the whole weekend, not just a specific day. The first 100 people in line on Black Friday get in for free. Also the first 100 people to visit the Christmas in the Park booth each day will get a special gift.

For more information or to buy tickets, head over to the Harvest Festival website over here.






Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Whole Foods San Jose Grand Opening Today

The other day I had the opportunity to eat dinner at one of the most anticipated new spots in Downtown San Jose. This place, known for its food, also has a microbrewery and tap-room on site. Today, December 9th, is the official GRAND OPENING!

Of course, I'm talking about the new Whole Foods on the Alameda!



As part of a media tour, they served us several delicious courses of food that you can easily find within the store itself. But I'm jumping ahead.

Here's a rundown of what I saw, heard, etc.. 

Parking:
It's been awhile since I've driven past Stockton/The Alameda area. I was driving down Stockton and completely passed up the parking lot entrance (oops) - so a quick u-turn later, I was back in business.

Decor:
The place is huge and it's quite pretty from the outside. It's not a stuffy looking grocery store. Colorful and modern design elements are everywhere. They used a lot of locally manufactured, reclaimed, and recycled materials to decorate the store. I loved it! 






Meat Department:
We learned about their rating system (displayed above the counter) -- the higher the number, the better that the animal was treated. Nice to know. 




Also, they have a big ole container full of bacon. 

Cheese Department:
They have many different kinds to choose from, and it is nice to know that if you are curious they'll bust one open for you on the spot and give you a taste. I picked up one package of a cranberry-orange cheese. I neglected to ask what the heck do I eat with that? Or what do I prepare it with? Next time I will ask.. and someone will tell me. Because that's how it works. ;)

The Berliners:
Custom-filled donuts made on the spot. Just for you. Maybe for your friends, if they're lucky.

Pizza:
Their official pizza dude (Matthew Driscoll) is on the U.S. Pizza Team. Look at him go!



Then I tasted their pizza - super yum. Did you see that fancy shmancy brick pizza oven too? Game nights are going to be filled with people buying some pizza or a hockey-themed (cute) sandwich and heading up the patio for a beer. (WHAT? Beer you say?! Keep reading...)

Microbrewery:
San Jose is home to the company's first on-site microbrewery and tap room in California called Mission Creek Brewing Company. 

"Mission Creek Brewing Company is located in a two story, 5,600 square-foot 'outbuilding' separate from the main store itself. The ground floor houses coffee and fresh juice bars, along with some seating. The second floor is home to the tap room, with eight bar seats, a birds-eye view of the brewery, and access to outdoor seating for around 75. A retractable roof and outdoor heating protect guests in inclement weather."

Neato, right? Here's the view from the patio.



As part of the tour/media day, we were treated to a three-course dinner (or .. is it five when you count the starter and dessert? I clearly don't have to many "course" meals…) The spread of tasty nibbles were delicious and the decor on the tables quite nice!





I have to say, everything was delicious. Not twisting my arm to say it at all. That's one of the things I really like about Whole Foods. If I was out running errands at one of my old jobs, I might find myself near the Hamilton location. I'd run in to their prepared foods section and try not to go too crazy buying things. They have a TON of delicious things to try. So I knew going in I was going to be enjoying my meal.

And lastly, we got a little sweet goodie bag with various products they carry in the store:



Now, some people flat out won't go to Whole Foods because products are not the cheapest in the land. No, they're not. You will be paying a decent amount for some products. But, don't let that stop you from ever going there. Buy some treats, try something new that nobody else carries. Want to make a nice gift basket for someone? This is a perfect place for that. Do you work downtown and want to grab a bite to eat - like I mentioned above, their prepared foods department (bakery, pizza and sandwiches, etc) have a ton of delicious options. Treat yourself! Or maybe you run a business nearby and you need to get some food for a client coming in for a lunch meeting? Swing by there and pick up a spread. If it's not your go-to grocery store, it certainly can be a place to stop by occasionally. Don't rule it out!

I'm hungry now just thinking about all the goodies.. so I'm gonna munch on some of my lemon pistachios.. or maybe a carrot cake cupcake.. 

Website: www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/sanjose
Facebook: facebook.com/WFMSanJose.    
Instagram: @WholeFoodsMarketSanJose

ALSO!

From Dec. 11-24, the store is hosting “The Great Holiday Giveaway,” offering one gift with a value up to $200, via its Facebook page and http://thegreatholidaygiveaway.com.

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Discover San Jose Store in Downtown San Jose!

Discover San Jose is a retail shop Downtown where everything they sell is made locally. You can find gifts by local artists, books by local authors, local college and sports team memorabilia, and foods made using local ingredients. They just made their first 30 second commercial spot which will air on the Travel Channel in 5,000 local hotel rooms. You can watch the video below.

Discover San Jose is located at 150 S. 1st Street, Suite 103, which is right behind the Fairmont Hotel. For more information on this great store supporting our local community, check out their Facebook Page over here!




Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Harvest Festival: Handmade Black Friday Shopping

The Harvest Festival is coming back to San Jose this weekend at the newly remodeled San Jose Convention Center! I had the opportunity to check this out last year and it completely exceeded my expectations. There are so many vendors here, it will blow your mind. This year's event will feature over 24,000 different items--all handmade in the US--including original art, clothing, jewelry, gourmet food, and photography. If you are planning on doing Christmas shopping this weekend, these are gifts with a lot more character than what you would typically find in the mall. Live music and a Kid's area will also be in the mix.

Fore more information you can read the press release below or visit their website over here.

~~~

Black Friday, the Handmade Way
San Jose Harvest Festival Offers Over 24,000 Handmade Arts and Crafts Right in Time for the Holidays

(San Jose, Calif., October 18, 2013)--- This Black Friday, many people are looking for great deals and unique gifts for their friends and family without the stress and hassle of visiting a crowded mall. Shoppers will find all that and more at the San Jose Harvest Festival, happening November 29 - December 1 at the San Jose Convention Center.

The San Jose Harvest Festival is the largest indoor arts and craft shows on the West Coast and was recently rated among the top 200 craft shows in the country.  The show offers over 24,000 handmade arts and crafts, including jewelry, original art, clothing, specialty foods, holiday decor, and more.

Attendees can meet the artists who created each item sand even get purchases personalized. Items available range from affordable $5 stocking stuffers to upscale, fine jewelry worth thousands of dollars. The Grand Prize, which will be awarded at the end of the show tour, is a beautiful Randy Polk designed ring and bracelet with Mother of Pearl, diamonds and orange sapphires, valued at over $5,000,

Throughout the weekend, the Harvest Festival offers fabulous live entertainment, including performances from Cash Tribute featuring James Garner. Playing the hits of the famed "Man in Black", Cash Tribute treats audience members to a glimpse into the life and music of Johnny Cash.

New this year to the strolling entertainment is the group Le Jazz Hot. This popular Bay Area gypsy Jazz group will use their traditional Jazz style with classic Holiday favorites, serenading attendees the moment they enter the show.

Gingerbread on the Go will co-host the KidZone and will feature take-and-make gingerbread cookie projects. Nature of Art for Kids, an eco-friendly company offering non-toxic art supplies for children, will also be participating in the KidZone offering crafts using "green" and upcycled materials. Plus, kids of all ages can enjoy live entertainment from Scott Land, an expert marionette performer who is known for his work on the film Team America: World Police.

The official charity of the show is Humane Society Silicon Valley, a non-profit organization committed to animal welfare in every facet. Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) will receive half of the proceeds from shopping bag sales and all of the proceeds from the bag and parcel check.

Loaves and Fishes, a San Jose based non-profit  organization which serves free, nutritious meals to the working poor, families, homeless and seniors, will be the food donation partner for the show. Anyone who brings a monetary or non-perishable food donation to the show will receive $2 off their admission.


What:             The San Jose Harvest Festival® Original Art and Craft Show
When:             November 29-Dec.1st
Where:            San Jose Convention Center (150 W. San Carlos St, San Jose CA  95113)
Hours:            Friday: 9am – 6pm, Saturday: 10 am – 6pm, Sunday: 10 am – 5pm
Cost:              Adults: $9, Seniors (62+): $7, Youth (13-17): $4, 12 & Under:  Free
Info:                For tickets and information, please call 1-800-346-1212or visit www.harvestfestival.com


ABOUT THE HARVEST FESTIVAL ORIGINAL ART AND CRAFT SHOW®:
The Harvest Festivals began 41 years ago in San Francisco as a destination for artists and craftspeople to sell their handmade products. Today, the event has grown to encompass nine shows in the state of California and Nevada, continuing its tradition of only featuring arts and crafts made in the United States.  Each exhibitor is subject to a rigid jury process to be selected as an artisan, ensuring a rich diversity and high quality of all products sold. The Harvest Festivals are owned and managed by a Western Exhibitors.


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

MUJI is open!

Untitled

The store that many people have been waiting for is officially open! MUJI is a Japanese brand that epitomizes simple, sleek and stylish design in everyday items from timeless clothing staples to kitchen ware, bathroom accessories to crafty and office materials. And now, Downtown San Jose is home to another one of their limited locations within the US. (The San Francisco location recently opened in November.) When asked "why Downtown San Jose" - the owner noted that "Downtown San Jose is a place where people live and are enjoying life," and that they appreciated the "cultural atmosphere" that San Jose provides.

I had the opportunity to check out the store before it opened doors to the public this morning and wanted to share a few thoughts…

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For some reason during my online researching prior to the event, I completely missed the fact that they sold clothing! I had previously thought it was simply housewares, organization containers, crafty items and such. But here you go, they sell a wide assortment of clothing and all within a specific style and color palate. Soft grays, navy blues, crisp whites, tan and beige dominate the racks. These are timeless pieces, not items you'll buy this season and never wear again. Pricing is not necessarily "college student" friendly, on average at least. For example, a checkered foldable umbrella retails at $27.

However, if one needs an umbrella during their visit downtown - and they want one that is built with high quality materials - this one will be worth the purchase. I can see those that are visiting the area and staying at one of the many hotels would find the availability of having clothing options so close as a benefit. The feel of the material is sturdy and I feel that it is a higher quality merchandise than say, H&M and even Gap for example. If I weren't pregnant I'd buy a few clothing items myself (there is a super cute navy with white polka dot skirt there that I was very tempted to buy for next year.)

I spoke with Eric Kobuchi, store manager for both the San Jose and San Francisco locations. I wanted to know what the hot items were - what flies off the shelves or has people returning to purchase?

Untitled One of the popular items is actually a series of pieces - the Acrylic Cases have found their way into homes but for a variety of reasons. While they sell velour inner cases (to protect jewelry), many customers buy these cases and use them for creative uses -- makeup, crafty items, and more. While yes, there are other stores that carry similar items, MUJI has an array of different shapes and styles to choose from.




Untitled The most popular item is one that I actually smelled upon entering the building. Actually the first thing I said was how nice it smelled in the store. That was because of the Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser (large $119.50, small $69.50). It vaporizes water and the essential oil (they have many to choose from, and you can use outside brands as well) and includes a timer so you can set it to go off when you like. No worries about leaving a tea candle lit and accidentally forgetting about it. Eric said that many people end up buying multiple for gifts, so this is definitely their number one selling item.

Other items I wanted to comment on:

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They have these cute cardboard chairs for kids that are easy to assemble and decorate. While that might not be something everyone is looking for, crafty mothers and fathers might find them useful. I could see it being part of a birthday event; getting the crayons and markers out so every kid gets to design their own chair. 

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Another item I spotted was the Silicon Ice Ball Makers - molds so you can create a large (or medium-sized) ball of ice. The large version will run you $11.75 but makes for a great gift for the whiskey-lover in your life or a fun stocking stuffer. Not to completely give away where I've seen these before, because it's part of the unique experience - but there is a local San Jose bar that uses ice balls in their whiskey-based drinks. So maybe if you want to make a few at home, this is how you can start. (Won't be the same, of course.)

The rest of the store is up to you to explore!

Check out the slideshow for more photos:


170 S. Market St.
San Jose, CA 95113
Tel 408.200.7818

Store Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

For purchases of $20+, MUJI offers a $1 parking validation for many of the surrounding downtown garages.

All photos taken by me! Jennifer Bullock / @Jenguin on Twitter

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Wednesday Wishlist: Bring Hart's Back

This one may be a bit of a stretch, but how cool would it be to see Hart's department store return to Downtown San Jose? I would love to see a new retail anchor Downtown that is completely unique to San Jose and offers quality products with a high level of customer service. Hart's filled those shoes perfectly before Valley Fair and suburban sprawl started to come into play. 

A couple week ago, the Merc had a great article about the store that played such a large role in San Jose's history. It's well worth a read right over here.