"Help Others Grow" Mural Debuts at Goodwill Almaden

Goodwill of Silicon Valley partnered with Local Color to unveil a vibrant new mural at the Almaden thrift store on November 5, 2025. Titled Help Others Grow, the 171-square-foot artwork adorns the donation drive-through at 3060 Almaden Expressway. Artist Melissa Marzan designed the piece with hand-lettering and illustrations that evoke connection and hope, turning a simple drop-off area into a visual tribute to community generosity.

Symbolic elements fill the mural, drawing from stories of Goodwill program participants. A Western Tiger Swallowtail butterfly represents endurance and new beginnings, while a California Buckeye tree nods to resilience native to Almaden Valley. California poppies symbolize personal growth, the sun brings renewal, a ribbon weaves optimism through the community, and a book hints at life's unfolding opportunities. These images remind donors of the broader impact their contributions create.

Goodwill's efforts extend beyond the artwork, funding job training, reentry support, and workforce development for veterans, unhoused individuals, people with disabilities, and the formerly incarcerated. All services come at no cost, powered by thrift sales and donations that stay local. In 2024, the organization diverted over 35 million pounds of materials from landfills through resale and recycling.

Volunteers from Goodwill's Expandability program assisted with the project, gaining hands-on experience through career services tailored for adults with disabilities. This collaboration highlights how art and community service intersect in San Jose, fostering inclusive spaces that uplift everyone involved.

For more information, visit www.goodwillsv.org or www.localcolorsj.org.

San Jose's Food Scene Hits Record Heights with New Eateries

San Jose has welcomed a remarkable wave of new food businesses since 2022, issuing 933 tax certificates to restaurants, vendors, cafes and bakeries. This growth reflects the city's strong recovery and positions it as a culinary powerhouse in Silicon Valley. Downtown leads the pack with 231 new spots, while areas like Little Saigon, Alum Rock, Willow Glen, Japantown, The Alameda, and Calle Willow follow closely. Early 2025 saw restaurant sales tax revenue climb 21% above pre-pandemic levels, showcasing the sector's vitality and drawing more visitors to explore diverse flavors across neighborhoods.

Standout additions include Bui Vien Street Food in Little Saigon, where authentic Vietnamese dishes from various regions take center stage, such as crispy egg pancakes mixed with rice cakes and scallions served on sizzling clay skillets. East San Jose gained Jorvans Micheladas, a family-run spot offering refreshing drinks and local fare. Near San Jose State University, Sumi Sushi transformed a former hair salon into a welcoming eatery, highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit fueling this expansion.

City initiatives play a key role in this surge, with the Streamlined Restaurant Program halving permit review times and aiding nearly 100 businesses in the recent fiscal year. Support from organizations like Prosperity Lab offers mentoring, business planning and affordable kitchen space, helping newcomers navigate the process. These resources make it easier for aspiring owners to turn ideas into thriving ventures, enriching San Jose's dining options with fresh concepts.

Economic pressures like inflation and rising costs present hurdles, yet business owners adapt by appealing to younger crowds eager for novel experiences and cultural foods that benefit from San Jose's ethnic diversity. Neighborhood corridors now match Downtown's revenue, a shift driven by remote work patterns that keep locals dining closer to home and more evenly distributes our hidden gems across San Jose.

For additional information, visit https://sanjosespotlight.com/san-jose-sees-a-record-number-of-new-food-businesses/

New In-N-Out Proposed for East San Jose

San Jose could soon gain another outpost of the beloved In-N-Out Burger chain as the company explores a location at 2641 McKee Road. The burger spot has submitted a preliminary review to the city, seeking feedback on its concept before moving to formal permits. This potential addition builds on In-N-Out's existing presence in the area, offering more opportunities for locals to enjoy fresh burgers and fries.

The proposed restaurant spans nearly 4,000 square feet with plans for a drive-thru, outdoor patio and dedicated parking. Situated in a shopping center that currently houses a hair salon and cleaners, the site sits next to a Burger King. This setup promises convenient access for drivers and pedestrians alike in a bustling retail area.

Company representatives noted the early stage of site planning while expressing enthusiasm for serving the East San Jose community through this extra location.

Source: SVBJ

Content Pick-Up Party Celebrates Discovery in Downtown San Jose

Open San Jose will host an engaging evening on November 13, 2025, with Content's Pick-Up Party for Issue 18.1, Discover. Held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at CreaTV San Jose on 38 South Second Street, this free event welcomes all ages to mark the release of Content Magazine's latest issue. Organized by Content Magazine, the gathering spotlights local talent and fosters connections through art and performance.

Attendees can enjoy a DJ set by Arturo Garces, a cash bar for beer and wine, and complimentary beverages plus hors d'oeuvres for Content members from Goodtime Bar. Chopsticks Alley Art presents a CreativiTEA Open Mic Showcase with House of Asha and Chansing Dai. A highlight arrives at 7:30 p.m. with a Hair and Tattoo Runway Show featuring Low Le on tattoos and Ming Schipper as hair artist. A pop-up gallery exhibition, in partnership with Works/SJ, displays works by Hadi Aghaee, Tachiya Bryant, Sarah Bianco, John Contreras, Low Le, Betty Proper, Jasmine Reid and Augie WK.

The magazine issue 18.1 profiles a range of creators, including organic artist Hadi Aghaee, multimedia artist Tachiya Bryant, painter and muralist Sarah Bianco, artist and sculptor John Contreras, DJ and producer Arturo Garces, tattoo artist Low Le, mixed media artist Betty Proper, mixed media canvas artist Jasmine Reid, muralist Augie WK, along with community hubs like Open San Jose and Works San Jose. Partners such as Open San Jose, Chopsticks Alley Art, Filco Events and Goodtime Bar make the night possible. Events of this kind showcase San Jose's thriving arts community and draw people to explore Downtown's cultural offerings.

For tickets and additional information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/content-pick-up-party-181-discover-at-open-san-jose-tickets-1789784867719

Urban Catalyst Downgrades Housing Vision in Downtown San Jose

Urban Catalyst is updating their dual high-rise proposal into two eight-story residential buildings. The project shifts from earlier office and housing concepts to focus solely on apartments, delivering 626 units across sites at 147 E. Santa Clara St. and 95 N. Fourth St. This adaptation uses wood-frame construction for efficiency and cost reduction, allowing the development to progress amid economic realities while addressing the city's housing needs.

The first phase targets the corner of East St. John and North Fourth streets near St. James Park, replacing an empty commercial property. The second phase follows at East Santa Clara and North Fourth, currently a Chevron gas station that may operate a few more years. Each building includes about 300 units and incorporates ground-level commercial and retail space along East Santa Clara Street, enhancing street activity in the area.

Leveraging Senate Bill 330 for streamlined approvals, the development requires around $300 million in investments, with costs per building estimated at $130 million to $150 million. This approach prioritizes feasibility and speed to combat the housing shortage.

Source: The Mercury News

Color Takes Flight with New Mural on San Pedro Street

A large-scale mural by Bay Area artist John Osgood adds vibrant energy to San Pedro Street in Downtown San Jose. Stretching about 650 feet along a temporary construction wall near the parking structure at Market and West St. John Streets, the artwork showcases birds amid graphic clouds and radiant beams. This visual nod to nature's joy transforms an everyday urban space into something uplifting for passersby.

The project started after Osgood placed his art at the District restaurant on San Pedro Street. Coordinated by the San Jose Downtown Association and backed by local businesses, painting began in early September. It ties into broader garage improvements, which will later include a light installation by artist Brian Brush.

As part of the SJDA's Love DTSJ: Barrier Beautification program, the mural turns construction barriers into artistic displays. This approach cuts down on graffiti and vandalism while building ties among artists, contractors, and the community. Osgood's focus on nature provides a fresh contrast to the city setting, encouraging thoughts on adaptation and growth.

Community feedback highlights the mural's bright colors and positive vibe, with residents appreciating how it brings humor and lightness to the area. San Jose benefits from such creative efforts that enhance public spaces and foster civic pride.

It's great to see Downtown San Jose keep evolving through collaborations that blend art with everyday life, making streets more inviting and connected.

For more information, watch this Insta reel.

Two More Data Centers Coming to North San Jose

The Trimble Business Area stands to gain a major boost with Goodman Group's recent acquisition of a 46-acre site for $200 million. The global firm plans to develop two data centers on the property at 350 and 370 West Trimble Road, creating the Goodman Innovation Center San Jose. Set to deliver 414,000 square feet of space and 97.3 megawatts of power by 2028, this project positions the city as a key player in the expanding digital infrastructure sector. Existing R&D buildings on the site, partially occupied by Lumileds, will become available for lease in October 2026, offering over 500,000 square feet for new tenants.

The development aligns with San Jose's role as a top hub for data centers in Silicon Valley. Despite challenges like power constraints and high costs, initiatives like this one demonstrate the area's resilience and appeal to international developers. Goodman Group, known for managing logistics properties and data centers worldwide, acquired the site from an affiliate of LBA Realty, which had earlier proposed a smaller data center there. The location's proximity to a Microsoft-owned parcel with its own data center plans further enhances the region's tech ecosystem.

Source: SVBJ

November 2025 First Fridays

Downtown San Jose transforms into a vibrant hub of creativity today with the return of the First Fridays Art Walk from 5 to 9 p.m. Spanning the SoFA District, Historic District and Martha Gardens District, this free event opens galleries, museums and independent spaces to the public. Visitors of all ages can wander through exhibitions, engage with artists and participate in activities that celebrate local and international talent. Produced by CURATUS in collaboration with community partners, the evening encourages exploration and connection across neighborhoods.

In the SoFA District, ANNO DOMINI presents solo shows featuring surreal paintings from Indonesia and mixed-media works on mortality from the UK. KALEID Gallery hosts a reception for an interdisciplinary artist reflecting on family and street life through photography and multimedia. MACLA invites interaction with displays on cultural resilience using animation and augmented reality, plus a poetry party and youth photography exhibition capturing urban scenes. The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art explores AI and oral histories in immersive projections, complete with tea sachet and collage workshops.

Further highlights in SoFA include group exhibitions at Morgann Trumbull Projects delving into ritual in art and subtle urban forms. Opera San José offers live arias and organ performances outside the California Theater, along with a scavenger hunt. San Jose Jazz features a jam session with guest saxophonist Howard Wiley and high school musicians. The San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles displays award-winning contemporary quilts and diverse basketry techniques.

The Historic District adds depth with Chopsticks Alley Gallery's celebration of San Jose heritage through collective projects and a reading by local author Gary Singh. Works/San Jose opens a show on softness as strength with new works by emerging artists. In Martha Gardens District, Art Ark Gallery gathers dozens of creators for a festive display of unique pieces with live music. FUSE at the Citadel showcases stories from San Jose's Creative Ambassadors in various media, while MACHU PICCHU Gallery honors Día de los Muertos with a communal ofrenda for remembrance and healing.

Murals enhance the experience, such as the block-long Romance piece in the Qmunity District expressing love and resilience, and Urban Abstractions planters signaling the area's artistic energy. Phantom Galleries curates these public works to inspire passersby.

For additional information, visit https://www.southfirstfridays.com/2025/10/first-fridays-artwalksj-november-7-2025-5-9pm/

Mad Yolks Brings Fresh Breakfast to Willow Glen

San Jose welcomed a new spot for morning meals with the opening of Mad Yolks at 1087 Meridian Ave, Suite 40. The city joined in the celebration on November 3 with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Councilmember Mulcahy and owners Peter and Henry Wong shared remarks to mark the occasion. This addition strengthens the local food scene by offering a community-focused place for residents to start their day.

Brothers Henry and Peter Wong built Mad Yolks from a small pop-up into a full restaurant concept rooted in Santa Cruz. Their passion for quality ingredients and comfort food drives the menu, which features fresh, made-from-scratch items. As their third location and first in San Jose, the eatery emphasizes sandwiches, bowls and specialty drinks prepared with care. Local and organic sourcing plays a key role in their approach to elevated breakfast options.

Signature offerings include the BAE and Mad Chicks sandwiches alongside creative dishes like Curry Moco and Dirty Tots. Brioche buns baked in-house pair with homemade sauces for a distinctive taste. Beverages range from matcha drinks and cold brew to fruit teas, all crafted to order. This focus on fresh elements makes Mad Yolks a standout choice for brunch enthusiasts in the area.

Willow Glen drew the brothers because of its welcoming vibe filled with families and small businesses. In their own words:

"We chose Willow Glen because it’s a neighborhood with heart. Full of families, small businesses, and a real sense of community. It reminded us of why we started Mad Yolks in the first place: to bring people together over good food made with care. The walkable streets and local charm felt like the perfect fit for our brand and our mission to serve fresh, made-from-scratch breakfast in a warm and welcoming space."

The new location has already become a hit on Yelp. Mad Yolks is open from 8am-3pm, 7 days a week.

Gateway Tower Set to Transform Downtown San Jose's SoFA District

A significant development is on the horizon for Downtown San Jose as Gateway Tower secures over $220 million in funding to bring affordable housing to the vibrant SoFA District. The Core Companies will construct a 15-story residential building at 470 S. Market Street, drawing support from the city of San Jose, Santa Clara County, and state resources. This project marks a step forward in addressing housing needs while enhancing the area's appeal as a center for arts and culture.

The tower will feature 220 units designed for residents earning 30% to 70% of the area median income. Among these, 55 units are set aside for rapid rehousing to help combat homelessness. A tenant preference program will give SoFA-based artists the first opportunity for some residences, supporting the district's creative community. Ground floor retail space exceeding 3,000 square feet will add to the neighborhood's lively street-level activity. The first four floors will also serve as a parking garage, ensuring convenience for residents and visitors.

Construction kicks off in the first quarter of 2026, with completion slated for early 2028.

Source: SVBJ