EPIC NEWS! Downtown San Jose Getting a SECOND San Pedro Square Market!

Downtown San Jose has been having a pretty good year so far. The restaurant scene is exploding, high-rises are breaking ground, MUJI opened, the convention center expansion is almost done, huge new festivals are being planned, and now this...

I consider myself to be pretty plugged in to what's going on Downtown, but I can honestly say that I did not see this one coming. Reading this news in the Business Journal today was like getting a surprise gift you were not expecting for Christmas.

AEDIS Architecture and Planning is building a small project similar to the San Pedro Square Market in the SoFA District! The project will clock in at 7,500 SQFT, will have an artsy vibe to be consistent with the SoFA area, and will contain around 10 food and retail vendors! There are already four potential vendors and they really want to secure a bar, wine bar, or beer garden to be one of those 10. None of these will be large chains, all will be unique independent shops like the San Pedro Square Market. Integrating an art gallery is another possibility.

Not only will it front South First Street, but there is also an interior courtyard that will be part of the project. Above the retail will be a new 9,000 SQFT office (which is also being partially sublet). This is all located at 371-387 South First across the street from Cafe Stritch and Anno Domini. Launch is targeted for November. 2013 keeps getting better and better for Downtown!

Source: SVBJ

49ers Draft Bash in San Jose Attracts 7,500 Visitors

For those that doubted the positive impacts from the 49ers moving South, check out the photo below. A staggering 7,500 people packed the San Pedro Square Market to attend the Draft Bash event late last month.

This is a win-win all around! The San Pedro Square Market vendors were completely busy, more people were exposed to San Pedro and a new side of Downtown, San Jose benefits from increased tax dollars and tourism (yes I used that word in the same sentence as San Jose), and the 49ers get to host their Draft Bash is one of the coolest venues in the Bay Area. You know what else is nuts... the 49ers were the ones that approached the San Pedro Square Market to host the event, not the other way around. Expect to see many more events like this one in both Santa Clara AND San Jose, and fewer 49er events in SF.

Source: SVBJ

The Market Beer Co. Now Running at Full Steam!

From: SPSM Blog

San Pedro Square Market Vendor Spotlight: Feelin' thirsty? Check out the newly opened Market Brew Co.

With more than 200 craft beers, the Market Beer Co. is the newest addition to the San Pedro Square Market.  The brews come in 22-oz. bottles, otherwise known as bombers, and shortly many will be available on tap.  Stop by and grab a beer with Jake and the rest of his knowledgeable staff. 

Connect:  /MarketBeerCo

Cinco de Mayo at the Market!

If you missed the festivities yesterday, the Cinco de Mayo party is continuing today at the San Pedro Square Market. Info below:

San Pedro Square Market Special Events:Cinco De Mayo festivities on both SATURDAY and SUNDAY at the market!  Join us on Saturday, May 4th, 2013 and Sunday, May 5th, 2013 for a series of drink and food specials with the market vendors.  Enjoy a day in the plaza with margaritas from the Market Bar, and Tacos galore from Loteria Taco Bar, and special activities with Ay Dios Mio.

Special Family Fun Day with Ay Dios Mio: Arts & Crafts, a Salsa Dancing Demo, and historic walking tours of downtown. See you there!

Content Magazine Pick Up Party for Issue 5.0

The latest issue of Content Magazine comes out tomorrow and they provide a "delivery option" that you will not find offered by many other magazines (if any). They invite readers to come party with them and pick up their issue at the venue! You can meet not only the writers and photographers, but also some of the San Joseans featured in the magazine in person.

This pick-up party is very special as it marks Content Magazine's first year in print. Also, I couldn't think of a better venue to celebrate than Vino Vino (4.5 stars on yelp, 180 reviews). If you are one of the few people than haven't been to this wine bar yet, you are missing out.

For more info, check out their Facebook event over here.

New Downtown San Jose Walking Tours!

One more step has been taken towards making Downtown a legitimate tourist destination. A group of students have come together under the guidance of Greg Adler--a high school teacher at Santa Teresa--to provide walking tours of Downtown San Jose. The group is called San Jose Walks & Talks and we should do everything we can to support them.

Their signature tour is aptly named Adobe to Adobe. It starts at the Peralta Adobe in the San Pedro Square Market and then goes all the way to the Adobe headquarters and back. The tour takes about an hour and the suggested donation is only $5. The next walk is Saturday, February 16th at 11:30am.

Downtown San Jose is filled with such a rich history that I think you will be surprised at how much you'll learn on these tours.

For more information, check out their website over here or email contact@sanjosewalksandtalks.org.

Dig Into the Past at History San José’s Archaeology Days at Peralta Adobe at San Pedro Square Market

San José, CA – December 18, 2012

On Sunday, January 27 and again on February 24, from 11 AM to 3 PM ---
Archaeology Day at the Peralta Adobe at San Pedro Square Market will offer children an opportunity to be junior archaeologists.

Stanford Archaeology Center students will be at the Peralta Adobe historic site conducting a mock excavation, screening,  artifact identification and artifact reconstruction.

“It’s exciting for us to be able to share our research on San Jose’s past with today’s current residents,” said Barbara Voss, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Stanford University. “We’re looking forward to meeting the next generation of young archaeologists.”

This free family educational program will allow individuals to collect stickers for each activity to place in Archaeology Passports and become ‘certified’ as a Junior Archaeologist.

The oldest home in San Jose, the Peralta Adobe, serves as a perfect archaeological location. It is the centerpiece for San Pedro Square Market at 175 West Saint John Street in downtown San Jose.  It is just across the street from the Fallon House, a mid-19th century Victorian home.

The public archaeology activities are free. While at the Peralta Adobe, visitors can also take tours of the Peralta Adobe and the Fallon House, which are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (62 and older) and students with a valid school identification card; and $5 for children who are accompanied by an adult. As usual, members of History San José receive free admission.

Adult tours, and tours for children ages seven and older, will be held through the Peralta Adobe and the Fallon House, at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.  Tours especially designed for children ages 4 through 9, accompanied by an adult, will at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. These historic buildings are not wheel-chair accessible.

For more information or to make reservations for a tour, call 408 918-1047 or visit www.historysanjose.org

   # # #

The Fallon House was built in 1855 by one of San José’s earliest mayors. The Victorian mansion showcases 15 fully-furnished rooms typical of the Victorian period. Thomas Fallon was a frontiersman in the John C. Fremont expedition, and Carmel Fallon was the daughter of one of the most prominent Mexican landowners in California.

The Peralta Adobe is San José’s oldest address. Built in 1797, the Peralta Adobe is the last remaining structure from El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe. See the Adobe’s horno, an outside working oven or venture inside the home and see two rooms furnished as they might have been when they were occupied by the Gonzales and Peralta families. It is now surrounded by the new San Pedro Square Market.

   # # #

About History San José:
History San José is a non-profit organization that collects, preserves and celebrates the stories of diversity and innovation in San José and the Santa Clara Valley. HSJ manages one of the largest and most comprehensive regional history collections in the State of California, from 1784 Spanish governmental records to twenty-first century Silicon Valley technology.
History San José     1650 Senter Road     San José, CA  95112       408.287.2290

Website:  historysanjose.org
Blog: historysanjose.org/blog
Facebook: /historysanjose
Twitter: @historysanjose

Holiday SJMade!

The event that supports local vendors and entrepreneurs is back for the holidays! SJMADE is bringing an epic list of vendors together at the San Pedro Square Market (below). This special edition of SJMADE  is one day only, this Saturday, and it runs from 11am - 6pm. You won't want to miss it!

The Vendor List for Holiday SJMADE

December 1, 2012, 11a-6p at San Pedro Square Market

Amour Ame Arancia Scura Photography Atreya Art Black Cat Collective Bugs & Monsters Calia Designs Classic Loot Content Magazine Cuckoo Worldwide Die Hard Company Desire Gems Erik's Wood Creations Eskandari Filthy Cute Fluffed Animals Galactic Romance Gems and Stuff Glowees HEIRLoom Hello Sisters Homegrown Blends Homegrown Specialties Marketplace I Heart Licorice and Little Landscapes Jate Clothing Jewels By Daisy Kathryn Marie Designs KeAloha Designs The LA RIDAS Lucrezia's Delight Magda Designs Mayari Jewelry Mister Dada Nicole Steward Designs Ohayo Cali Brand Peggy Li Creations Petite Fute PYRCE Red Stripes Boutique Rockin' Chair Knit & Yarn Wear Rock N The Trend Ropes4Dogs San Jose Screen Printing shop.find.love Splendid Colors Steam Powell Industries Steamy Tech Sweetdragon Baking Company Tech Shop San Jose Tinkertart tousleddolly ther.a.py Urban Antiq Vintage Fusion Jewelry Yeah Hello

San Pedro Square Market Merchants Ay Dios Mio! B2 Blush Raw Bar Lounge Creparis Crewners Little Chef Counter Little Cheese Shoppe On A Roll Phonomenal Pizza Bocca Lupo Robees Falafel San Pedro Square Market Bar Satori Tea Company Showroom Tinkertart Treatbot Vino Vino

History San Jose Celebrates the 235th Birthday of the Peralta Adobe

San José, CA – October 30, 2012  Mark your calendar and wish San José a happy birthday.  On Sunday, November 18 from noon to 4 PM History San José will be throwing a party to say, “Happy Birthday, San José!”

 

The traditional birthday party for the founding of El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe the Peralta Adobe Historic Site, San José’s oldest address at the San Pedro Square Market, will include cake, candles, horses, music and historic home tours.

 

There will be a candle-lighting ceremony celebrating the enlightenment of the Californios, symbolic of their courage and innovation. Visitors can share birthday cake with San José’s founding family members. ‘Happy Birthday, San José!’ is a little early. The real birthday is November 29, 1777 and has become an annual family event. Music will be provided by Los Arrebeños de San Francisco, led by Lance Beeson, a member of the Californios.

 

Family educational activities will include making corn husk dolls and learning about the Ohlone Indians who lived in the Santa Clara Valley long before the Spanish arrived.

 

Special visitor ‘Stone Shield’ will make her appearance at the birthday party.

She is a paint mare, 18 years old with blue eyes, whose ancestry can be traced to horses ridden by Spanish settlers as they came to the new world. By 1492 Spain planned the expansion of their power, including into North America. It was the Spanish horses that carried the DeAnza party to settle Alta California and today provides the framework for thoroughbreds, standard breds, and the Morgan and quarter horse. Only 2,000 of the Colonial Spanish horses remain and are critically endangered.

 

Also on Sunday, November 18 at 1 p.m. the public is invited to the ribbon-cutting of the new National Anza Trail Exhibit.  It will be installed in the Lasardi Building, inside the San Pedro Square Market, facing St. John Street. This is the premiere interpretive bi-lingual exhibition outside of the state of Arizona, and focuses on the travel of the Anza expedition in 1775. It will run through January 15, 2013. 

 

Home tours are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $5 for children who are accompanied by an adult. As usual, members of History San José receive free admission. Adult tours of the Peralta Adobe and the Fallon House will be held at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tours especially created for children will at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. ,but are not recommended for children 7 or younger. These hands-on tours will allow children to dress in period costumes while learning about life in the early 1800’s.

 

The Peralta Adobe – Fallon House Historic Site is located at 175 West Saint John Street, in downtown San Jose, CA 95110. For more information call 408 918-1047 or visit www.historysanjose.org

 

   # # # 

 

The Fallon House was built in 1855 by one of San José’s earliest mayors. The Victorian mansion showcases 15 fully-furnished rooms typical of the Victorian period. Thomas Fallon was a frontiersman in the John C. Fremont expedition, and Carmel Fallon was the daughter of one of the most prominent Mexican landowners in California.

 

The Peralta Adobe is San José’s oldest address. Built in 1797, the Peralta Adobe is the last remaining structure from El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe. See the Adobe’s horno, an outside working oven or venture inside the home and see two rooms furnished as they might have been when they were occupied by the Gonzales and Peralta families. It is now surrounded by the new San Pedro Square Market.

 

# # # 

 

About History San José: 

History San José is a non-profit organization that collects, preserves and celebrates the stories of diversity and innovation in San José and the Santa Clara Valley. HSJ manages one of the largest and most comprehensive regional history collections in the State of California, from 1784 Spanish governmental records to twenty-first century Silicon Valley technology. 

History San José     1650 Senter Road     San José, CA  95112       408.287.2290

 

Website:  historysanjose.org

Blog: historysanjose.org/blog

Facebook: /historysanjose

Twitter: @historysanjose

Sama Zama is Coming to the San Pedro Square Market!

Yet another innovative concept is coming to the San Pedro Square Market. Shawn Mckenna--who has worked at 5 different Michelin Star rated restaurants--is opening up an eatery focused on healthy salads, soups, and sandwiches on freshly baked bread. His real specialty is going to be the soups, which sound phenomenal in the video below. All of the vegetables and proteins in the soups will be cooked to order and any pasta used in the soup will be made from scratch daily.

For dinner, he's going to put those 12 years of michelin-rated experience to use with innovative tapas-style small plates that will change regularly.

Sama Zama will be located across from Pizza Bocca Lupo in the El Dorado building.  Along with Loteria Taco Bar, they will bring this building to full occupancy. The Lusardi building behind the Peralta Adobe has a lot of things coming as well, and i'll provide some more details about that in a separate post later on.

San Pedro Square Market Video (by SJMADE)

SJMADE + SJeats @ San Pedro Square This Saturday!

This weekend is going to mark an epic milestone for San Pedro Square. Three events are going to be happening on the same day: SJMADE, SJ EATS, and the new Saturday Farmer's Market. The icing on the cake is two brand new eateries opening in the San Pedro Square Market, Treatbot Karaoke Ice Cream and Blush Raw Bar and Lounge. This brings the grand total number of places to eat in the market to 10.

For everyone waiting to see what retail Downtown could be like, this is it. SJMADE is bringing dozens of local vendors into two locations, the San Pedro Square Market and a pop up location on Santa Clara Street. If you want to support local entrepreneurs, designers, and craftsmen, this is going to be the event for you. The last few SJMADE events have been a tremendous success, yet I somehow think this is going to top them all.

SJ EATS (run by Moveable Feast's Ryan Sebastian) is bringing 6 food trucks to the event. These include the 1st place winner of the San Jose Taco Festival, KoJa Kitchen--I tried it, phenomenal--and the 2nd place winner, Soulnese. If you're wondering where Treatbot is on the list below, it now has a permanent "truck" inside of the Market.

I think after Saturday it will become very difficult to question the potential of the San Pedro Square Market. The inflection point was hit last week with the first Farmer's Market and this event is going to show thousands of people exactly where Downtown is headed. It's not even optimism anymore, it's a done deal... this place is officially awesome and it only gets better with events like this. Can't wait!

San Jose Made (SJMADE) is a vendor fair where local San Jose makers, labels, brands, small businesses, and artists showcase and sell current projects and goods.

For the Spring 2012 installation of SJMADE, we are hosted by San Pedro Square Market in Downtown San Jose. On April 21st, our SJMADE vendors are showcasing goods alongside various San Pedro Square Market merchants.

TWO San Pedro Square locations:
151 W. Santa Clara Street (previously Spiedo Ristorante)
87 N. San Pedro Street (San Pedro Square Market)
SEE OUR VENDOR LIST!

FARMERS MARKET (10a to 2p)
Introducing the NEW urban San Pedro Square Farmers Market on West St. John Street.

SJ EATS
San Jose's landmark food event, is back with surprises. Enjoy the day's festivities at the new San Pedro Square Market with eleven independent restaurants, a new urban Farmers Market and food trucks from Moveable Feast! Find SJEATS along W. St. John Street at San Pedro Square Market.

FOOD TRUCKS (5 pm to 8 pm)
Eat on Monday
KoJa Kitchen
Pollo Fritto
Project Cupcake
Soulnese
Tandoori Chicken USA
RESTAURANTS at San Pedro Square Market (11 am to late)
B2 Coffee
Blush Raw Bar & Lounge
Crepe-Paris
Little Chef Counter
On a Roll
Pizza Bocca Lupo
Robee's Falafel
San Pedro Square Market Bar
Treatbot
Veggie Box
Vino Vino

FREE ADMISSION • OPEN TO THE PUBLIC • RAIN OR SHINE

For more information about SJMADE, send us an email at: sanjosemade@gmail.com.

For more information about SJEATS, contact us at info@mvblfeast.com or visitwww.mvblfeast.com.

San Pedro Square Farmers' Market Opens Today!!!

Several weeks ago there was a "controversial" post about the San Pedro Square Market, and I'm going to have to stand by everything that I said. I think that the San Pedro Square Market is going to become a landmark attraction in Downtown San Jose and it will be bringing in people from all over the bay.

If you don't believe me, today is a pretty good day to check out the market. If you do believe me, today is a pretty good day to check out the market. In summary, go check out the market today.

In 2 hours, the inaugural Saturday farmer's market is kicking off. Unlike the Friday one, this will be year round and tightly integrated with the San Pedro Square Market itself. In addition to the farmer's market, the second building (Lusardi building) will finally be open for business. Launching today is Veggie Box, which is worth a trip on it's own. You'll get a preview of Blush, a raw bar and bar-bar with an outdoor lounge that will be open until 2am after the official launch mid April. Showroom (I <3 SJ), Ay Dios Mio, and The Poppy Farm are up and running as well. A solid addition to the original building is Crepe-Paris, which serves sweet and savory crepes up until 2am on the weekends (I remember someone asking for a dessert place open late... done).

This is just the beginning. They're also launching live music every Friday. There are plans developing for a Saturday "night-market" from 6pm-midnight (there may even been a food truck or two). Epic events such as the next SJMADE + SJeats are coming. And there are new vendors launching practically every week.

For some more details on what's going down today, keep reading. Better yet, just come on down!

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 Welcome back the San Pedro Square Market Newsletter. We have an incredible array of activities and openings this month, so let's dive right in.

  Tonight we kick off a new series, officially titled Music at the Market Powered by San Jose Jazz, that will run throughout the Spring and Summer every Friday evening from 7-9pm.

  Helping us get things started will be the Vitchev/Tamburr New Quartet, featuring Vibraphonist Christian Tamburr and and Guitarist/composer Hristo Vitchev. For opening night only, there will be a second show as well, featuring jazz violinist Mads Tolling. 

Though we're opening the series more on the modern jazz side of the spectrum, future dates will incluide a wide range of musical genres and styles, showcasing an eclectic selection of local artists.

Saturday, April 7th is a huge day for us, and we're affectionately referring to it as Opening Day.  We are holding the initial installment of the San Pedro Square Farmers' Market. This is a major centerpiece of our cultural programming, and we're partnering with the very best in the business, Urban Village Farmers' Market Association. They produce the highly-respected Campbell Farmers' market, among others. Our Market is targeted toward Downtown residents, and will take place year-round, rain or shine, from 10am-2pm on West St. John St. between N. Almaden and N. San Pedro, directly in front of SPSM. There will be 40+ vendors selling the finest, freshest local food available, as well as music and special events. Opening Day will feature a visit from Leslie Jonath, author of the recently-released At the Farmers' Market With Kids.

In addition to the Farmers' Market, we are welcoming several new permanent vendors to the SPSM team. The Lusardi Building (aka the big green building at the corner of N. Almaden and W. St. John) will open for the first time, with a great roster of businesses, including several retail locations that help us focus our vision as a Public Market, as opposed to a collection of restaurants. The roster for Opening Day looks like this, with a few more pieces yet to come:

- Veggie Box, which will sell fresh produce, flowers, and an array of gourmet goods including bread, olive oil, jams, and spreads.
- Blush Raw Bar & Lounge, a restaurant and bar specializing in Sushi, Oysters, and high end cocktails. Blush's back patio is destined to become the most desirable outdoor seating at the Market. Please note that on Saturday only the bar will be open, the restaurant will follow in a few weeks.
- Ay Dios Mio, a unique boutique specializing in imported art, clothing, and kitchenware, will re-open permanently.
- Showroom, an innovative t-shirt bar, will look to continue the success they've experienced at their first location, The Usuals, located down the road on The Alameda.
-The Poppy Farm, our newest vendor, is a garden and plant store that will sell live plants, tools, books, art, and basically everything a person with a green thumb would need to beautify their life.
Still to come in Lusardi will be Treatbot, the Karaoke Ice Cream Truck, and The Little Cheese Shoppe, both of which will be open soon.

Many of our vendors will be open special hours on Saturday, please see the list below:

In the El Dorado Building, we will have the official opening of Crepe-Paris, which will open at 7am. Try a savory 'Bonjour' crepe with scrambled eggs, ham, cheddar, and hash browns. It would pair beautifully with an artisan single-origin pour-over coffee from B2, which will also open at 7am.

Little Chef Counter will debut their brunch menu at 10am, featuring such innovative dishes as Pancake Benedict, Hash Poutine, and a fresh take on Chicken & Waffles.

The Market Bar is rolling out 3 new signature cocktails in addition to our lineup of craft beers, reasonably-priced wines, and the morning standby, the Bloody Mary. They will open at 10am.

On a Roll, Robee's Falafel, and Vino Vino are all opening an hour early (10am) to coincide with the start of the Farmers Market. Crewners Barbershop will be open all day for gentlemen seeking a respite from the hustle and bustle to enjoy a straight-razor shave or an expert haircut.

On the Peralta Adobe Plaza, we have a full day of music planned. From 2-4pm The Tom & Dave Show will bring their unique interpretations of Classic Rock to the stage. From 4-6pm we have a return performance from the Stan Erhart Duo, featuring scorching lead guitar from Stan himself. From 6-8 we welcome Rockin' Blues Express for their debut Market performance. As evening turns to night the vibe will get a little more left-field, with performances form indie rockers Hotel Island Breakdown at 9 and Pantheon at 10.

We sincerely hope that you'll join us this weekend and every day here at San Pedro Square Market. We have lots more surprises around the corner, including an Arts & Crafts Fair next Sunday April 15th featuring artisans from all over the state.


We will be open on Easter Sunday with the exception of Robee's Falafel and Little Chef Counter, both of whom will be taking a well-deserved day off.

Make sure to check out our website often, we update it as often as possible. The single best way to stay up to date on what's happening here is to 'like' us on Facebook.

New Year-Round Saturday Farmer's Market is Launching Downtown!

The post below is from the San Pedro Square Market blog. This is excellent news for Downtown. In addition to our seasonal Friday Farmer's Market in the summer, we'll have a brand new peak-time Saturday market open all year round. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this develops in conjunction with the San Pedro Square Market. Also, a hat tip to Arlene for sending this news in.

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Okay, so we know that we keep advertising for our Farmers' Market and how Spring is around the corner. Well folks, it is finally here! Saturday April 7^th , is the opening day of the year-round, rain-or-shine Saturday Farmers' Market. Here is what you need to know:

It will be open 10am-2pm. 

Located on W. St. John between N. Almaden and N. San Pedro, directly in front of SPSM.

Around 40-50 vendors, mostly farmers, prepared food, and flowers. 

The timing of it is perfect for all you that work during the week! Get your grocery shopping done at the farmers market, then come enjoy the rest of your Saturday at the Market! Enjoy some lunch, drinks and entertainment here at SPSM since there is always something here to entertain you. We’ve even got some special surprises lined up for you during and after the Farmers' Market. We’ve got author signings, live music and so much more to make sure you have the best enjoyable weekend here at San Pedro Square Market.

Please note that this is a separate event from the Downtown Farmers Market that occurs seasonally on Fridays on San Pedro St. 

San Pedro Square Market Updates

I have always been bullish on The San Pedro Square Market, even after numerous delays and the loss of a few promising tenants. However, I'm going to make a really bold statement and say not only will the Market be a tremendous success... but it will be the inflection point that will change people's negative perceptions of Downtown San Jose and will likely be one of the most successful markets of it's kind in the US.

Some people are going to cringe when I say this, but it does have a lot of similarities to Santana Row. The attention to detail in the Market is impeccable, from the hummingbirds hanging from the ceiling to the flower selection in the courtyard. It has great open-air dining options, including the incredible courtyard with the Peralta Adobe. There is live music and entertainment. And, it is being progressively elaborated. Santana Row wasn't built in a day, in fact it is still being built. With SR, I always enjoyed going there and discovering what is coming next. There were always new surprises to discover, and now the same is happening with the Market.

Before I get into the updates, let me tell you where The Market and Santana Row are different. 1.) Instead of national anchors and restaurants, every tenant in The Market is a local small business where the owners are incredibly passionate about what they do and are striving to deliver the best possible product possible. SR venues go for consistency, the Market is going for excellence and innovation (can give you examples of innovative concepts from every food vendor). 2.) Price. The Market has the best value proposition imaginable for dinner. Pay "lunch" prices all day long, mix and match foods from vendors, no reservations needed, and it's both kid and adult friendly (three bars by summer).  3.) History. There is actual historical value in the venue itself. It is more than retail in a box. The Market will actually help preserve some San Jose history and make it more accessible to the public.

Okay, now for the good stuff.  Here are the updates since the last time I posted about the Market:

• On a Roll is now open right at the front of the Market. They serve Vietnamese sandwiches, noodle plates, spring rolls, tofu, and several other items. I've tried it already... the noodle plate with the pork is fantastic. Great addition!
• New seating has been added outside the Market and adjacent to On a Roll.
• The Crepe place (Crepe-Paris) is about 2 weeks away from opening. They'll have both savory and sweet crepes and be right between Vino Vino and On a Roll.  Also, they will likely stay open late to provide food for the post 10pm bar crowd.
• A new awning has been added in the courtyard, as well as some new festoon lighting.
• A new sign has been added for Blush, which also looks like it's getting a roll-up door on the side of the building.
• Building #2 (Lusardi) is 4-6 weeks away from opening. Unlike Building #1 (El Dorado), it's likely going to open mostly full with the following vendors:
• Treatbot Karaoke Ice Cream Truck
• Veggiebox - fresh, local veggies and prepared dishes
• Blush - Sushi, oysters, and a really unique bar
• Showroom - Boutique apparel, including I<3SJ shirts
• Ay Dios Mio - Mexican  
• The Little Cheese Shop - Cheese, Charcuterie, and Gourmet Foods
• San Pedro Square Seafood
• Loteria Taco Bar will be coming to the original building later this year.
• New Saturday San Pedro Farmers Market which will wrap around the Market and kick off April 7th!

B2 Coffee

I just wanted to highlight a great little coffee stand tucked in an empty corner of the San Pedro Square Market. While it may not look like much from the photo, their mocha was the best I've ever had. They also have killer scones and muffins. If you're looking for something more substantial in terms of food, the other Market vendors are in the adjacent room. I highly recommend checking this place out. I'll even go so far to say it give Philz some solid competition (I love Philz too).

The plan is to build out a permanent space for B2 using a large chunk of the vast room it is in now, right at the corner of St. John and San Pedro. I can't wait to see what the final shop will be like.

The B2 coffee stand is currently open from 7:30am-7:00pm Monday through Saturday and 9:00am to 4:00pm on Sunday.

Catch the 49er Game at the San Pedro Square Market!

San Pedro Square Market "Happenings" Newsletter 

Hi Everyone,

It's been a while since our last communication - thanks to everyone who has joined the mailing list in the meantime!

SPSM is in the midst of a growth spurt . We opened two new restaurants and expanded our seating area over the holidays. We've been enjoying steadily increasing business every week, especially at lunchtime. We've signed two new vendors in the last few weeks, Loteria Taco Bar and The Little Cheese Shoppe, bringing our total signed leases up to 18 exciting, independent local businesses.

We'd like to invite all of you down to the Market on Sunday to root the 49ers on in the NFC Championship game at 3:30. It will be Happy Hour all day at the Market Bar, which means discounts on beer, wine, well drinks, and selected cocktails. Last week we had a great crowd for the Divisional round, and we'd love to build on that this weekend!
 

In other Market news, we have two upcoming live concerts:

- Friday, February 3rd with the Burroughs Brothers Band
- Friday, February 10th, with blues rockers Pearl Alley.

We're also very excited to announce that we will begin our year-round weekly Saturday Farmers Market on April 7th, so stay tuned for more info on that.

Thank you all for your continued interest and support. If you haven't made it out to the Market yet, there's never been a better time to visit, come check us out!

History San José Hosts Heritage Holiday Tea & Tour at the Fallon House

Very interesting event below involving History San Jose, Satori, and the San Pedro Square Market. This will feature what used to be Manny's Cellar in the basement of the historic Fallon House.


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High Tea on the Lower Level of the Fallon House at San Pedro Square Market

Former Manny’s Cellar to Serve Up Holiday Festivities

San Jose, CA -- October 19, 2011

The tradition of History San José’s annual Heritage Holiday Tea and Tour will be held this year in the area of the new San Pedro Square Market at the Victorian-era Fallon House. The lower level, formerly Manny’s Cellar, has been restored and will be transformed into a holiday tea room for the Saturday, December 3 event.

The Heritage Holiday Tea continues the annual tradition of tea and this year includes champagne, tours of the Fallon House, built in 1855, and of the Peralta Adobe, built in 1797. Located just a stroll across the street from the new San Pedro Square Market and performances by the Liberty Baptist School Band and Choir.

“For long-time San José residents Manny’s Cellar near San Pedro Square conjures up images of beer, burgers and gossip,” said Alida Bray, President and CEO of History San José. “This holiday season History San José will proudly open these historic buildings to our friends. Manny’s is a San José institution and this newly-restored space is perfect for the popular Heritage Holiday Tea.”

Satori Tea Company will present a special blend especially for the Heritage Holiday event consisting of peach, plum, apricot, black tea and flower petals. Named ‘Valley of Hearts’ Delight,’  the tea be will accompany a gourmet catered light luncheon, and also be avaliable for purchase. Guglielmo Wines will provide the champagne served by Shady Shakespeare in the garden while greeted by The Lyric Theatre Carollers.

Throughout San Pedro Square Market will be traditional holiday activities and vendors, old and new alike.

“The Fallon House and the Peralta Adobe historic sites are the convergence of new and old,” said Steve Borkenhagen, Marketing Manager of San Pedro Square Market. “It is a privilege to partner with History San José on the holiday festivities. The new San Pedro Square Market will be a gathering place just as it was more than two centuries ago.”

The Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County will demonstrate wreath-making, The Spinners will be spinning yarn, the Lace Museum will host demonstrations of lace-making.

Former Mercury News artist Jim Hummel will be on hand for a book-signing of his latest children’s book, San Jose, California: The Place Where People Help Dreams Come True.

The $45 ticket price, (HSJ members $40) will include tours and a gift bag with specials and discounts from the newly-opened market and Satori Tea Company. Parking will be free in the lot adjacent to the Fallon House, and street parking is free on Saturdays. The Fallon House Historic Site is located at 175 West St. John Street in San José.

Tea times are at 11 a.m. and at 2 p.m. Ticket price includes tours of the Fallon House and the Peralta Adobe. Make checks payable to History San José and mail to 1650 Senter Road, San Jose, CA 95113 or call Juanita at 408 918 1045 or email her at jlara@historysanjose.org.

The Fallon House was built in 1855 by one of San José’s earliest mayors. The Victorian mansion showcases 15 fully-furnished rooms typical of the Victorian period. Thomas Fallon was a frontiersman in the John C. Fremont expedition, and Carmel Fallon was the daughter of one of the most prominent Mexican landowners in California.

The Peralta Adobe is San José’s oldest address. Built in 1797, the Peralta Adobe is the last remaining structure from El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe. See the Adobe’s horno, an outside working oven or venture inside the home and see two rooms furnished as they might have been when they were occupied by the Gonzales and Peralta families. It is now surrounded by the new San Pedro Square Market.

San Pedro Square Market Sign Lighting Photos

Jennifer Bullock has some beautiful photos of the San Pedro Square Market Sign Lighting on Flickr right over here! The Market has actually changed a lot since those photos were taken, and I would highly recommend going there on the weekend to check it out. My current recommendations for the eateries that are open:

Vino Vino: Riesling and Brie, Prosciutto, and Fig Chutney sandwiches 
Pizza Bocca Lupo: Margarita Pizza with Buffalo Cheese and Cooked Prosciutto 
San Pedro Square Market Bar: Blueberry, Strawberry, or Watermelon Mojitos

San Pedro Square Market Sign Lighting Video

Courtesy of Tom from WMS Media!