Chagee Adds a Westgate Shop This Winter After Valley Fair

Chagee Modern Tea House will open a second Northern California store at 1600 Saratoga Avenue inside Westgate Center this winter. The suite is 1,543 square feet, next to the new T&T Supermarket. The larger Valley Fair shop, about 2,500 square feet, is still slated for fall and is billed as the regional flagship. Two San Jose locations in one season puts the brand on both sides of West San Jose without a long drive between them.

The chain already runs most of its California shops in the south. These two bring the state count to 11. Loyalty members account for more than half of company revenue, and the Valley Fair room is supposed to carry the full spend-based program and the custom digital layer. Westgate may or may not get the same build-out. Either way, a tea counter next to T&T is a different errand than a mall destination at Valley Fair.

Westgate’s own marketing cites a daytime population of 197,254 inside three miles and an average household income of $246,773. That is the math behind putting a premium tea brand beside a large Asian grocer instead of waiting for another downtown lease. Saratoga Avenue already has Gong Cha in the same center. Chagee is aiming higher on price and presentation. No opening date besides “winter” has been posted. 

Brand site: https://chagee.us/

Source: Silicon Valley Business Journal

BitterBuck Soft-Opens Today in Fountain Alley!

Cache Bouren and Tomoyo Yoshinaga will crack BitterBuck this Friday, September 4, on Fountain Alley between First and Second, next to Goodtime Bar. First Street is a construction mess, so the working entrance is on the Second Street side. The pair already run the exceptional Haberdasher and Cash Only. This room splits the day in two: pour-over coffee until 4 p.m., then amaro and spritz until 10.

There is no espresso machine. Five pour-overs and two Chromatic cold brews, beans roasted locally, can land as a boilermaker with a side of amaro. Andytown Shore Leave Hook with Sfumato Rabarbaro. Tico Huila with Cynar. Boast Mexico with Vecchio del Capo. Kenz Ethiopia with Pasubio. Chromatic decaf with Brucato Woodlands. Nitro cold brew with Tuve Fernet. Pastries come from The Midwife and the Baker. Sweet and savory pies come from Sweetdragon Baking Co.

After 4 the menu flips. The house Garibaldi is a shaken, foamy mix of orange, grapefruit, Select, and Campari. Three things sit on tap: a cold-brew martini, Chromatic nitro, and Guinness. Citrus juice stays off almost every other drink; acidity comes from verjus, the juice of unripe grapes. Small plates come out of their own kitchen. Notch Gonzalez, who did Dr. Funk, designed the interior.

Fountain Alley already holds Goodtime, Scratch Cookery, and Fox Tale. Another 7 a.m. room on that brick strip is useful if the day starts before the rest of Downtown San Jose wakes up, and useful again if the night wants bitter rather than sweet. Soft openings fill fast in a space this small. Walk in from Second, order the Garibaldi or a pour-over with Cynar, and decide which half of the day belongs there.

Instagram: @bitterbucksj

Source: Scott Firestone from San José: Downtown Dwellers ESTD. 2009

Hijau Coffee Opens Permanent Spot with Indonesian Flavors on West San Carlos

After two years as a farmers market pop-up, Hijau has opened its first brick-and-mortar café at 1432 West San Carlos Street, Suite 70. Owners Lisa Maria and Ryan Prawiradjaja held a soft opening on August 13 and now serve customers Tuesdays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and weekends until 4 p.m.

Maria, whose parents roasted coffee in West Java, wanted to bring more Indonesian flavors to the Bay Area. The menu features three signature lattes: pandan with notes of coconut and vanilla, nastar inspired by pineapple tarts, and klepon drawing from the green coconut-rice dessert. Coffee is sourced from Indonesia, and the space includes batik textiles and teak furniture that reflect the couple’s heritage.

The path from pop-up tables at the Rose Garden and De Anza farmers markets to a permanent counter involved significant permitting and inspection costs that totaled around $27,000. The pair paused market appearances in late spring to focus on the build-out.

Hijau adds a distinctive coffee option to the midtown corridor and expands the city’s range of Southeast Asian culinary voices. Regular hours are now in effect for anyone ready to try the tropical-inspired drinks.

Source: The Mercury News

San Jose’s Bambu Brings Vibrant Vietnamese Dessert Drinks to Walmart Nationwide

Four sisters opened the very first Bambu here in San Jose back in 2008 and built the chain into a go-to favorite that now spans 63 locations across 24 states and the Philippines. The brand just landed inside five Walmart stores in Batavia Illinois Westminster Colorado two spots in Louisiana and one near Milwaukee Wisconsin which means even more people will get to experience these vibrant flavors during everyday errands.

The Batavia location already opened its doors while the remaining four will welcome customers by the end of summer. These new spaces stretch from 1,600 to 2,300 square feet so they shift away from pure grab-and-go toward a relaxed cafe feel with extra room for you to settle in and enjoy your drink. The menu stays focused on the classics you already love including signature chè boba milk teas Vietnamese coffees smoothies refreshers and small bites like dessert waffles or mochi ice cream.

Bambu spotted an opportunity to fill retail spaces left from past closures and the steady stream of Walmart shoppers provides the perfect audience for carrying a refreshing beverage through the aisles. The setup keeps overhead lower than typical strip malls and opens the door for steady growth beyond dense neighborhoods. Even without new Bay Area additions right now the strong Asian American community across Santa Clara County where nearly 40 percent of residents share those cultural ties continues to fuel the brand’s future plans.

You can take real pride in knowing this San Jose original keeps reaching farther while staying true to its roots. The next time you crave those signature tastes head to one of the many Bambu spots around town and celebrate how local ingenuity now travels with shopping carts across the country.

Source: SVBJ

Dutch Bros Sets Sights on Monterey Road for Fresh San Jose Brew

A wave of caffeinated cheer rolls toward Central San Jose as Dutch Bros is submitting plans to repurpose a shuttered Burger King into one of their signature drive-thru's. The spot at 2170 Monterey Road, nestled among shops and quiet green expanses, promises to infuse the area with the chain's upbeat vibe and colorful menu of coffees, teas, and energy drinks. This move follows their earlier filing for a site on South Bascom Avenue, hinting at a deliberate push to dot the city with those iconic blue windmills that signal a quick picks-me-up.

The Arizona-based company, already boasting over a thousand outposts mostly hugging the West Coast, shows no signs of slowing. Last year alone saw 154 new openings, with projections climbing to at least 181 more in 2026 as they chase a goal of 2,029 locations by 2029. San Jose stands to gain from this surge, welcoming a brand known for its friendly service and inventive sips that blend nostalgia with unique flavors.

The current closest Dutch Bros sits down in Gilroy, so this addition could spark new morning rituals for Central and South San Jose residents.

Source: SVBJ

 

Playback Coffee: Brewing a New Beat in Downtown San Jose

Downtown San Jose’s San Pedro Square Market is gaining a unique addition with Playback Coffee, a new spot that blends high-quality brews with a nod to the city’s radio broadcasting past. Currently in its soft opening phase, this 5,000-square-foot coffee shop at 87 N. San Pedro St. is set to officially open its doors on Saturday, July 26.

The vision behind Playback Coffee comes from David Mulvehill, president and COO of Nuvo Hospitality, and Frank Nguyen, the founder of Academic Coffee. These two have a history that goes back nearly a decade, starting when Nguyen hosted pop-ups at Mulvehill’s Five Points Cocktail Bar. Together, they’ve crafted a space that feels uniquely tied to San Jose. The shop’s playlist spans decades, featuring everything from ‘80s and ‘90s classics to contemporary hip hop and rock. A mobile DJ station keeps the tunes spinning all day and doubles as the drink pick-up area, with plans for early-morning pop-up raves adding an extra layer of excitement.

The interior of Playback Coffee reflects its bold identity. Stereos with light features and artist murals are being added to the walls, enhancing the atmosphere. The menu builds on Academic Coffee’s reputation, serving the same expertly roasted coffee beans and matcha. After the grand opening, expect an expanded lineup of drinks, including new creations and some fan-favorite throwbacks from Academic’s seasonal menus. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting July 26, this spot is designed to be more than just a coffee stop; it’s a place for the community to gather and enjoy something fun.

Academic Coffee is my favorite of many great coffee options Downtown, so I can't wait to see how this turns out.

Source: SVBJ

Bitterbuck: A Fresh Twist in Downtown San Jose’s Bar Scene

Cache Bouren has been shaping Downtown San Jose’s bar scene for over 15 years. His journey started with Singlebarrel in 2010, a craft cocktail lounge that set the stage for what would become Haberdasher in 2015. Both spots earned loyal followings for their creativity and charm. Now, Bouren is ready to unveil his latest venture, Bitterbuck, in the emerging Fountain Alley district.

What sets Bitterbuck apart is its dual personality. By day, it’s a haven for coffee lovers, featuring pour-overs crafted with a Poursteady machine from Brooklyn. This automated setup, capable of brewing up to five cups at once with a robotic spout for precision, reflects Bouren’s obsession with quality coffee. As night falls, the space transforms into a cocktail lounge, spotlighting sparkling wines, bitter liqueurs, and amaro-driven drinks. It’s a concept that bridges morning and evening crowds, common in Europe but offering a fresh take on what a Downtown San Jose hangout can be.

The location in Fountain Alley feels like a perfect fit. This pocket of Downtown is on the rise, part of a larger wave of revitalization bringing new energy to the area. Bitterbuck joins this momentum. Bouren has a knack for spotting what’s missing in the market, and with amaro gaining traction, his timing couldn’t be better.

Source: The Mercury News