Downtown Willow Glen Hosts the 18th ‘Dancin’ on the Avenue’ On Saturday, June 22 from 2 PM to 8 PM On Lincoln Avenue in the Heart of Willow Glen

San Jose, CA – May 8, 2013  --- On Saturday, June 22 the Willow Glen Business Association will host the ‘Dancin’ on the Avenue’ community and family-friendly festival. Presented by CEFCU, this year’s ‘Dancin’ on the Avenue’ has garnered much community and business support. The street fair will host live music, 15 various food vendors as well as a family atmosphere featuring a Kids’ Court with kid-centric  games and activities.

“This year’s “Dancin’ On the Avenue” will offer the community a fun-filled and family-friendly festival along Lincoln Avenue,” said Valerie Merklin, Executive Director of the Willow Glen Business Association. “Lincoln Avenue is the place to be on June 22!”

Here are a few of the highlights at this year’s “Dancin’ on the Avenue” event:
Four stages will feature an eclectic mix of live music and entertainment, including:  The Cruzers’ rock to soul dance music; SlingTown’s country sound with 7-part harmony with acoustic “attitude”; acoustic rock from Blue House Band; and a top 40 high-energy mash-up from The Peelers. The Community Stage will present family favorite Grammy-nominated David Sharpe and The PapaHugs Band as well as well as performances from local dance groups and musicians.

The festival will be held on Saturday, June 22 along Lincoln Avenue in downtown Willow Glen from 2 PM to 8 PM.

The Kids’ Court area, sponsored by Intero, Western Bancorp and First American Title will be held in the parking lot of Wells Fargo Bank, and have a  petting zoo, a balloon artist, face-painting, games and crafts for the family-friendliest part of the festival.  Two new attractions have been added this year. LEGO Jeep, sponsored by Miramar Hospitality, will allow children to turn a real car into a movable sculpture covered by LEGO blocks. The All-American Fun Zone will feature classic kid’s games and activities like jacks, hula-hoops, cat’s cradle and paper crafts. There will even be two sand tables for the littlest visitors to enjoy.

A Silicon Valley touch: the Willow Glen Business Association will offer the opportunity to purchase beverage tickets in advance online.   Tickets can be purchased using a credit card by going to:  willowglen.org. Advanced sale beverage tickets must be picked up at the Will Call booth located near 1176 Lincoln Avenue, which will open at 2:30 PM the day of the event.

Admission to the event is free, however security entries will be at the two monitored entrances at Willow and at Minnesota, where purses/backpacks will be checked. No outside containers of any kind – even coffee cups – will be allowed in.

Sponsors of the 2013 “Dancin’ on the Avenue” include: CEFCU, Peak Travel, Sereno Group, Intero, Western Bancorp, First American Title, Del Grande Dealership Group, Wells Fargo Bank, Bright Horizons, Bottomley Distributing, Xfinity Comcast, Solar Universe, Provident Credit Union, Culligan Water, Bank of America and Merrill Edge, Barracuda Networks, Comerica, Bloom Bridal Boutique, DeMattei Construction, ProTemp Accounting, Miramar Hospitality, Classic Car Wash, San Jose Montessori School, Silicon Valley Community Newspapers, and KRTY/KLIV Empire Broadcasting.

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About the Willow Glen Business Association:

Willow Glen’s merchants have been organized, active and supportive of the community since the 1930’s. By 1988, the Willow Glen Business Association and a Business Improvement District (BID) were in place to assist local business maintain and promote downtown Willow Glen as an ideal place to eat, shop and locate new business. In 2010, the BID gave way to the formation of a CBID with the same goals.

“Dancin’ on The Avenue” is sponsored by the Willow Glen Business Association. Funds generated from the event go towards supporting other projects for the local business district such as holiday events, beautification projects and financial support of local schools.

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SJ Beerwalk - Nov 17 @ Willow Glen

If you have yet to attend a SJ Beerwalk, you are missing out. It's a great way to sample dozens of different craft beers while exploring various parts of the community and meeting the area's burgeoning beer masters. The next Beerwalk is coming to Willow Glen one week from tomorrow. It will likely sell out, so if you're interested I would recommend getting tickets in advance. All of the details are below.

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SJ Beerwalk—Coming To A Neighborhood Near You
Next Stop:  Willow Glen

Saturday, November 17th, 2pm – 6pm

To satisfy the growing thirst in the Bay Area, SJ Beerwalk is coming to downtown Willow Glen in San Jose.  If you somehow missed the first three sold-out Beerwalks in Japantown and downtown Campbell, SJ Beerwalk will be bringing the same thoughtfulness in beer selection and strong emphasis on community to Willow Glen.  The focus of the first Willow Glen Beerwalk will be seasonal/winter brews.

“Willow Glen has one of the best downtown areas in San Jose.  The environment is so relaxed and quaint, yep, I said quaint” says Beerwalk Co-Founder Charlie Mann (Jack’s Bar, San Jose) who lived and worked in Willow Glen for over 7 years.  Taking place on Lincoln Avenue (between Minnesota Ave. and Lester Ave.), ‘Beerwalkers’ will be invited to discover and explore twenty-five charming venues, from exclusive boutiques to unique restaurants.

Although at first glance beer seems to be the focus, it was the desire to create a stronger connection between locals and their communities that inspired SJ Beerwalk.  Each event is a walk-around tasting with carefully selected local and import breweries pouring samples of their finest at each small business location on the walk.  Co-Founder Jordan Trigg (Jack’s Bar, San Jose) explained that the main goal of SJ Beerwalk is to introduce South Bay residents to their local business districts, inviting them to check out shops they otherwise might never have set foot in.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $30 online at www.sjbeerwalk.com. In the case the event does not sell out, tickets can be purchased day of for $35. Registration begins at
1pm. Event runs from 2 to 6pm.

For more information visit www.sjbeerwalk.com
For up-to-the minute information, like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sjbeerwalk and follow us on twitter @sjbeerwalk

SJ Beerwalk’s mission is to provide a social outlet for the community and neighborhoods, while highlighting small businesses and raising funds for the non-profit business associations throughout the great city of San Jose and beyond.  Every few months, come walk through a different San Jose business district and visit local stores and restaurants while tasting over 20 beers from local and import breweries.

Willow Glen Town Square Grand Opening!

This Saturday is the official grand opening celebration of the Willow Glen Town Square. I really like what they did with this project. It's a three story building with medical and professional offices on the top two floors, retail on the ground floor, a community common area with a fountain (the "square") and two story parking in the back. Lou's Village, Crepevine, and Willow Glen Creamery are some of the eateries on the ground floor.


Some highlights of this event include:

• Live music and entertainment
• Face painters and balloon artists
• Samples from local restaurants 
• Raffles
• Platter painting contest
• Interactive characters
• Giveaways
• 2nd Harvest Food Drive 

The Petroglyph Cermaic Lounge platter painting contest will encourage local residents of all ages to paint their interpretation of Willow Glen Town Square. The entry fee is $10 and the winners will receive a $300 Apple Gift Card.

Sounds like a stellar event and a great opportunity to check out the new iconic project in Willow Glen.

Content Magazine Pick-up Party Tomorrow

My favorite publication is having a "Pick-Up Party" over at Willow Glen's newest Gastropub, The Table. This eatery is owned by Jim Stump (A.P. Stumps & Los Gatos Brewing Co.) so my expectations are high for the food and drinks. Hop on in anytime between 6 and 8pm, pick up the best San Jose-oriented magazine on the planet, throw back a few drinks/appetizers, and hang out with the awesome staff of Content!

The address is 1110 Willow Street and the Facebook page for the event is here.

From Blight to Bright - A Cycle Centered Community Cleanup morning in Willow Glen

by Carlos from One Square Mile

Willow Glen Neighborhood Association to launch “from Blight to Bright”; a series of community led beautification projects

Community Cleanup to encourage local residents to walk to “The Avenue”

Photo:BikePortland.org

The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association is hosting the first in a series of community cleanup days this summer on June 9, at 9:30 am until 12:30 pm. This event seeks to highlight the importance of the growing residential communities to the north, along with the increased need for safe and clean areas to walk and bike. From Blight to Bright will include residents from the Elements Apartment Community along with participants in San Jose’s monthly Bike Party rides; helping to move tools and debris by bike.

“With budget cuts severely limiting city services, we felt the Willow Glen community should help out” said Richard Zappelli, Vice President of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association and tireless community advocate. “We have received tremendous support from our members, the Elements Apartment Community, and our District 6 City Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio.

The bicycling community has also responded by offering some of their ‘work” bikes to help move food, tools, and debris. As many residents and visitors of Willow Glen are aware, “The Avenue” is clean and well landscaped due to the efforts of the Willow Glen Business Association and financial support from the Willow Glen Community Benefit Improvement District.

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When: Saturday, June 9th, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Where: A 1,900 foot section of Lincoln Ave. from Coe Ave. north to Parkmoor Ave. (see map)
Meet at: The Elements, 1201 Parkmoor Avenue, San Jose, CA, for breakfast, tools and assignments. (see map)
Transit available: Light Rail line 902 at Race Street Station, VTA Bus 65 on Parkmoor. With a 12 minute walk from Stevens Creek Blvd. to the north, routes 81 and 23, and with a 24 minute
walk from Coe Ave. to the south via VTA route 64 (see map)
Tools: We will have some tools but feel free to bring your own brooms, hoes, and gloves. See registration via link below. Also if you have a bike trailer that would be great.
To register (to get a count for food and tools): Click here

For the full press release, click here.

Photolog: Moveable Feast in Willow Glen

Food so nice, you’d sit on buckets for it. Seriously, buckets. They were handy, just flip & now you’ve got a garbage can. Of course, they also had regular seats, but with there being so many people buckets were the next logical choice.

The turn out was huge. There was probably even more people there, if I hadn’t shown up late. The line at Scoops was massive.

I dropped by the Hiyaaa truck for a Chicken Quesadilla while the line was still short. The quesadilla wasn’t bad, the side salad with it was limp.

A friend got some sweet potato fries at Sanguchon. It was different; I have never seen fries served with chopped salad in the mix with cheese. The rest of us were in line at KoJa. I was quite happy with the KoJa short rib burger due to its cleverness & nostalgic effect. The toasted rice buns reminded of when my mother uses a clay pot to cook rice & the rice at the bottom would become toasted & crunchy. I also ordered the Mochimisu, which just seemed to be a tiramisu with mochi chunks.

Overall, this moveable feast wasn’t bad. It was only my first one though. But it’s still a fun event to be out at. It’s a nice change of venue now & again instead of just a loud restaurant.

On a side note I had just finished a photoshoot with Ruak Styling using Oxford flats & so it was nice to see some girls out there wearing Oxford flats.

You can checkout more photos on the tru2lifepix FB page or thesanjoseblog FB

Jim Stump is Bringing a New Gastropub to Willow Glen

Silicon Valley restaurateur Jim Stump (AP Stumps, Los Gatos Brewing Co.) is bringing a new concept to Willow Glen called The Table. He's designing it as a gastropub (warm, inviting neighborhood restaurant) with modern American cuisine. The new restaurant will be on the corner of Willow and Lincoln in a brand new 41,000sqft mixed-use building. He's hoping to have it open by Spring 2012.

He'll also have two new neighbors: the Crepevine and the return of San Jose's beloved Lou's Village. I can't wait to see how this corner turns out!

For more info click here.

Nothing Bundt Cakes Contest Winner!

It was a very difficult decision with so many great entries, but we finally have a winner.

Congratulations to Jonathan with the Runaway Groom story! You'll be enjoying a lot of great cake over the next year.

A huge thank you to all those that participated, especially our runners up Chrystal and Diana. Of course I would also like to thank Nothing Bundt Cakes in Willow Glen (1702 Meridian) for sponsoring this contest. Everyone please go check them out!

Nothing Bundt Cakes Finalists!

Thank you for all of the great entries into our Nothing Bundt Cakes Contest! Up for grabs is free cake for a year from Nothing Bundt Cakes in Willow Glen. I have managed to narrow it down to the 3 finalists below.

Before announcing a winner, I would love to hear your opinions on which story should win. Chrystal's brussel spout bundt cakes, Jonathan's runaway groom cake, or Diana's puzzle cake? The final decision could be impacted by your comments below!

Here are our three finalists:

Chrystal

I have an unusual daughter.  As a 5 year old, she once told me that she was hungry.  Could I please make a veggie platter as a snack for her?  Now don't get me wrong!  Chloe likes sugar with the best of them, and at one point wanted to be a "meat taste tester" when she grows up.  (Shall I send the picture of the "steak cake" she wanted for her 10th birthday?  It came with "peas" and "mashed potatoes" in the form of jelly beans and ice cream with chocolate sauce, and thanks to strawberry cake, it looked rare when cut into.)

Last year for her 11th birthday, she requested that her cake look like brussel sprouts.....  These were made with two mini bundt cakes each, covered in fondant.  The use of fondant was a new experience for us.  

She is on a roll!  For number twelve, she wants a cake that looks like broccoli - ?

Jonathan

The day of the wedding it was snowing.  It wasn't just a light sprinkle but rather large fluffy flakes that kept falling.  My sister was getting married and in the preceding days I had picked up a number of tasks to help with the wedding.  Some of them were rather simple errands like shuttling people around town, or picking up supplies at the store.  The deepening snow made this somewhat harder but I pressed on and after the ceremony drove and slipped and slid down to the country club that was the site of the reception.

When I got there and began work on my next job (DJ-ing the wedding) the cake had just arrived.  It was carried to the back of the room and sat on its appointed table, bare of any decoration save the frosting.  Sitting on the table next to the cake were two plastic figurines of a bride and groom.  They stood watch next to the cake examining the empty room, waiting for their turn in the spotlight.  Finished with my work at the DJ table I walked over to examine the cake more closely.  I was joined by the wedding organizer at the country club who observed that the figurines were not in their rightful place atop the cake.  The bride and groom weighed more than they appeared and the groom was especially challenging for the organizer to perch on top the cake as his tiny plastic feet had trouble gripping the frosting.  Their trim proportions were misleading 

No more than a couple minutes later I heard a loud *THONK* and saw that the groom had made a suicidal dive off the top of the cake, careening off the layers and excavating some of the delicate frosting.  His escape had been noticed in time to make adequate repairs to the cake before it was too late.  Later it was discovered that the plastic couple had just been intended to stay on the table and do their posing there.  The cake remained delicious, flowers and ribbons took their place as the correct finishing touch.  But if I was superstitious I would have to say that the groom figurine jumping off the top of the cake has to be one of the worst signs of bad luck possible.  Thankfully though, it was just a cake.  And we ate it. 

Diana

The Puzzle Cake

I once tried to make a cake for my boyfriend many years ago.  The plan was to make two, small chocolate cakes, stack them on top of each other with banana custard in the middle, then white frosting with chopped strawberries on top.  Sounds easy enough, but to anyone who knows me, this may have been a little too advanced for me.  Rumor has it one of my cookies I baked in the past was so hard that the duck I fed it to in the pond sunk to the bottom, never to be heard from again.  But I was optimistic that this cake would not suffer the same fate and all my other cooking travesties and that maybe, JUST MAYBE, I would be able to successfully cook something.  

My chocolate cake pieces came out ok, but they were sort of lopsided.  My pan must have been uneven?  Totally the pan's fault, no doubt about it.  My custard came out ok, with only a few small patches of dried custard powder but with the icing and cake, I was sure you would barely even notice.  So far, the cake was a winner.  When you have the cooking experiences I have had, you don't worry whether the result is perfect, only if it can be disguised as perfect.  

I iced the cake and was still doing ok, but while I was putting the strawberry chunks on top, a crack formed on the top of my cake.  After a few angry insults directed at the cake, I believed I could just "glue" the crack together with frosting.  Afterall, frosting is pretty sticky, right?  Worse case scenario, I could just fill in the crack with frosting like painters do with Spackle on a wall.  In a better mood, I shoved the cake into the fridge and waited for my boyfriend to come over.  By the time my boyfriend got there, my cake sabotaged me.  The crack came back and had deepened.  The custard worked like a slip and slide and an entire chunk fell off my cake and on the fridge shelf.  

Completely upset, I tried to pull the cake out of the fridge and put it safely on the counter, but the cake was determined to embarrass me and more chunks fell on the floor.    I think a few "lucky" pieces actually got as far as the counter before they too betrayed me.  I call it a Puzzle Cake because I hadn't quite given up on it and spent the next few minutes trying to fit the pieces back together, telling my boyfriend, "NO!! IT'S STILL GOOD!!  THIS CAN WORK!!  I'M STILL GOING TO EAT IT!!"  I don't remember if he actually ate any, but the moral of this story is ... just buy a cake.  It's easier, less of a mess, and tastes a LOT better.  You can always just take the price tag off and claim it as your own.  Your boyfriend can't prove it.

Nothing Bundt Cakes Contest is LIVE!

Alright guys, up for grabs is a gift card for FREE CAKE FOR A YEAR! This comes courtesy of the new Nothing Bundt Cakes in Willow Glen at 1702 Meridian Avenue. Each month for 12 months, the winner will receive a surprise ranging from a dozen Bundtinis, Bundtlets, or a traditional 8-10 inch bundt cake! This is the sweetest contest prize we've ever had (I need to stop doing that).

To participate, email the best story you have involving a cake to josh@thesanjoseblog.com!  Extra bonus if it's a bundt cake. Double extra bonus if you have a photo that goes with the story.

There is no length requirement for the story, it could be a sentence or several paragraphs. The winner will be judged on the entertainment value of the story. The contest is open ALL day today! This weekend we'll announce who the winner is and post some of the best stories. Have fun and good luck!

"Fine Print" - To participate you must be at least 18 years old, not affiliated with the San Jose blog, and have an address in the Bay Area. Gift Card is only valid in the Willow Glen location of Nothing Bundt Cakes and the cakes must be picked up in person.

Nothing Bundt Cakes Contest!

Tomorrow we'll be hosting our latest contest courtesy of the brand new Nothing Bundt Cakes in Willow Glen (1702 Meridian Ave)! We have had a lot of great prizes in the past, but this one takes the cake--yes, I had to say it.

The winner will receive a gift card good for FREE CAKE FOR A YEAR.

More specifically, the winner will receive a free cake each month for a 12 month period. The best part is that the prize will vary from month to month. One month it might be a traditional 8-10 inch bundt cake, the next month could be a Bundtlet, and the next might even be a dozen Bundtinis. Each month will be a different surprise!

The contest will start Wednesday at 1pm and will be open all day. The winner will be announced over the weekend. Best of luck and please visit Nothing Bundt Cakes to thank them for doing this great promotion! =)

Nothing Bundt Cakes Comes to Willow Glen!

Fresh from the Oven,

Nothing Bundt Cakes Debuts in San Jose

Local bakery brings unique dessert concept to Willow Glen area

San Jose, Calif., Aug. 22, 2011– One-of-a-kind Nothing Bundt Cakes − purveyors of nostalgic yet refreshingly modern Bundt cakes − is spreading its wholesome goodness to San Jose and the Willow Glen community. The newest bakery is located in Dry Creek Center at 1702 Meridian Ave. and will host several grand opening activities beginning August 24 and continuing for several days.

Nothing Bundt Cakes reintroduces an old family favorite – the Bundt cake - with a fresh, clean look that appeals to all ages. Each cake features custom concept cake decorations that are smart, contemporary and fun, customized to enhance any occasion. Nothing Bundt Cakes offers customers a wide range of cake selections, from Bundtlets – single serving cakes – to the larger Bundts that serve up to 18 people and tiered cakes, which serve up to 26 people.

Grand opening celebrations include:

·         Wednesday, Aug. 24

o   11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Ribbon cutting with the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce with Nothing Bundt Cakes local bakery owners, Angela and Rod Simas

·         Thursday, Aug. 25

o   4 to 7 p.m. – Wine tasting with Mommy Juice Wines. Delicious Bundt cake samples will be available for guests to pair with their wine, as well as an assortment of fine cheese and artisan crackers

·         Friday, Aug. 26

o   10 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Child Advocates of Silicon Valley Day, 20 percent of all proceeds benefit the organization

·         Saturday, Aug. 27

o   10 a.m. – First 50 customers to make a purchase receive free cake for a year

“We are excited to further enrich San Jose, Willow Glen and surrounding communities around our bakery by bringing Nothing Bundt Cakes to the neighborhood,” said Angela Simas, Nothing Bundt Cakes local bakery owner.  “Partnering with meaningful organizations here, including Child Advocates of Silicon Valley, furthers our commitment and dedication to the city in which we live and work.”

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Fresh from the Oven, Nothing Bundt Cakes Debuts in San Jose

-- add one --

Made fresh daily using only the finest ingredients available, Nothing Bundt Cakes combines great taste and creative merchandising to appeal not only to taste buds but to all five senses. Customers are greeted by the smell of freshly baked cakes the minute they cross the store threshold. A soothing yet warm color palette meets the eye with whimsical furniture and hand-painted signage reminiscent of yesteryear but with a clean, fresh approach. The Nothing Bundt Cakes staff instantly makes customers feel right at home with a friendly welcome.

“We’ve learned that Bundt cakes hold a special place in the heart of consumers across the nation, as many folks can remember a loved one baking a special Bundt cake just for them,” said Dena Tripp, co-founder of Nothing Bundt Cakes. “Our franchisees are not only an integral part our growth strategy, but they are also an integral part of connecting to the community through the love of the handmade Bundt cake. We look forward to a successful partnership and becoming part of this city.”

Nothing Bundt Cakes is one of the nation’s few bakery/retail locations committed to the baking of Bundt cakes. The bakery specializes in offering celebration solutions for moments that matter and always enhancing their customers’ celebrations. Currently, there are 40 signed franchise agreements, with 31 bakeries already open across nine states. Founded in 1997, Nothing Bundt Cakes is headquartered in Las Vegas, NV. For more information, please visit www.nothingbundtcakes.com.

Fresh & Easy Comes to San Jose (Willow Glen)

The first Fresh & Easy Grocery Store in the South Bay is coming early next year to a former Albertsons on the corner of Bird and Minnesota and will be between 13,000 and 14,000sqft. Fresh & Easy Markets focus on fresh and organic foods. Click here for more details.

Lou's Village is Being Resurrected in Willow Glen!

Remember that new 41,000sqft development in Willow Glen? Well it turns out that one of their anchor tenants is none other than Lou's Village, one of San Jose's original flagship restaurants. Lou's plans to open up in 2012 on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Willow St. For more details, click here!

 

Downtown Willow Glen project is a GO

Today the San Jose City Council unanimously approved a mixed-use project at Lincoln Ave and Willow Street. You guys know I love bullets, so here are the specifics:

• 41,000sqft 3-story building
• 18,000sqft retail (restaurants and boutique shops)
• 23,000sqft office space
• Plaza with a fountain and plenty of seating
• 108 parking spaces on the 2nd floor
• Willow Street Pizza will expand its bar and outdoor dining patio into this project
• Willow Glen Frozen Yogurt will be relocated into the new retail space (one of my favorite yogurt shops)
• Construction begins in June, Completion in Feb 2012
• $10m budget

For more information, have a gander at this San Jose Business Journal article.

Also, here is a little before and after:

Downtown Willow Glen

While many cities our size have a single urban focal point, we're lucky enough to have 3: Downtown San Jose, Santana Row, and Downtown Willow Glen--all of which are in close proximity from one another. I know I post a lot about Downtown San Jose, but I'm going to start posting more about the other two urban centers along with potential future centers (North 1st St., The Alameda, Midtown, Evergreen, Alviso, Coyote Valley, etc.).

Willow Glen has always had a lot of charm and character, but also possesses an interesting history. It was incorporated into a city in the 1920s to prevent San Jose from running a railroad down Lincoln, the main street in what is now Downtown Willow Glen. By the 1930s, there were over 30 commercial businesses in Willow Glen, setting the stage for the walkable Downtown it has today. Then in 1936 in was annexed to San Jose in order to prevent having to build its own sewage system. Willow Glen was essentially built on a marsh, great for farming but it created some complications with individual sewage systems. Since San Jose already had a great city-wide sewage system, the least expensive solution to the problem was being annexed into San Jose.

Willow Glen continues to retain its unique character and Downtown Willow Glen maintains a very enjoyable atmosphere for dining, shopping, or just sipping on a cup of coffee. I'll even go so far as to say that for many years, Downtown Willow Glen was more of a downtown than Downtown San Jose. Below are a few photos that I took last time I was in Willow Glen (click to enlarge the benches):