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To our members:
The City's Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs is kicking off Holiday San Jose on Friday, a six-week promotion for holiday fun for the whole family in 12 San Jose commercial districts including downtown and its neighboring East Santa Clara, The Alameda and West San Carlos Street business districts.
A media event will take place Friday, Nov. 18 at 2:30 p.m. at City Hall Plaza featuring OEDCA Deputy Director Blage Zelalich (formerly SJDA deputy director), San Jose City Councilmembers, Frances Wong, director of marketing for Visit San Jose, and representatives of the neighborhood associations. Of course, you all are invited to attend and say hello to SJDA Community Engagement Manager Juan Carlos Aguirre, who will represent SJDA at the event.
The campaign is directed at families, to encourage them upgrade their holiday shopping chores from online to in-person, with the bonus of helping entertain the kids. The point is that each neighborhood has its own unique set of businesses, places to explore, and fun places for food and play. The idea is to suggest that everyone try out their local shopping area as well as others around town.
If the promotion works, downtown should see added business since our urban area has the most attractions, the most unique character, and the most diverse retail in the city -- especially at this time of year. More on that below.
Take a look at the Holiday San Jose web page. Here's a screen shot.
The press event takes place just before the Small Business Networking Event from 3-5 p.m. Friday in the City Hall Rotunda. Check the Meetings and Workshops section below.
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Aloha Downtown Skate scheduled to open Saturday
The Aloha Downtown Skate roller rink, a new addition to the Downtown San Jose for the Holidays list of major attractions, is scheduled to open Saturday in the Circle of Palms on Market Street between the San Jose Museum of Art and the Signia by Hilton hotel.
Everyone is invited to the Opening Celebration at 6 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 22).
The downtown anchor holiday attraction is produced by Aloha Fun Center in partnership with San Jose Downtown Association and with funding from the City of San Jose. Google is presenting sponsor. As you can see, construction is coming right along. A newly updated website is also expected to launch any day now.
The skating rink has traditionally preceded the openings of Christmas in the Park and Winter Wonderland, which open Nov. 25, the day after Thanksgiving. All the attractions and museums will be busy through the start of the New Year.
SJDA plans to get photos of skaters up as soon as possible this weekend here. That web page will also link over to Aloha's site.
The full press release is here.
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World Cup viewing parties start Tuesday
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Earthquakes host viewing parties
Join the San Jose Earthquakes for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 (TM) Viewing Parties at San Pedro Square. Enjoy every matchday throughout the entire tournament, Tuesday, Nov. 20 - Dec. 18. This impressive web page on the Earthquakes site has all the details.
The Old Wagon will show every match from 5 a.m. onwards and O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub will show every match from 7 a.m. onwards. By the way, O'Flaherty's 20th anniversary party started last night and continues through this weekend!
For the weekend after Thanksgiving, November 25-27, and the final on Dec. 18, the Earthquakes are working with the San Pedro Square businesses to bring the celebration to the street with large screens, activities and stuff for everyone on both St. John and San Pedro streets.
Be sure to check out the free coasters at the viewing parties promoting SJDA's "Real" downtown marketing efforts, which is just beginning.
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Our evolving downtown story told in images
 
Veteran's Day Parade (photos by Dennis Yu)
A perfect day to celebrate those who have served or currently serve in the U.S. military.
NBC Bay Area coverage
Mercury News coverage
Scott Knies Exit Roast photo gallery
A photo gallery of the Scott Knies Exit Roast on Oct. 29 -- which celebrates the 34-year career of San Jose Downtown Association's OG full-time paid employee and leader -- can be reviewed here. Photos by Lanny Nguyen
The event benefited the San Jose Downtown Foundation, which Scott founded. The Foundation produces the popular Downtown Doors program, which continued to dress up the downtown landscape throughout the pandemic. Donations to the Foundation are always appreciated, and can be accessed from the same web page.
Panda mural updated
The Panda mural, by PMBQ Studios, has gone through several repaintings and touch-ups over the years. The mural on South First Street between Santa Clara and San Fernando streets is a popular selfie location. Check this and other murals here. |
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Small Business Networking Event
Friday, Nov. 18 | 3-5 pm
San Jose City Hall Rotunda
Sponsored by the City of San Jose
Office of Economic Development
Free | Register
Small business owners are invited to attend a free mixer and panel discussion on surviving and thriving in a changing economy.
Hear from the owners of Luna Mexican Kitchen, ICan Bucket, and The Source Zero on successes, challenges, and advice for others taking the jump into business. More speakers may be announced.
Appetizers from downtown San José s Mezcal restaurant will be provided. Free business resources from City and nonprofit partners will also be on hand to help you develop your business plan, access capital, apply for city permits, and more. Bring your business cards! This event is organized in partnership with Access SBDC.
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State and City initiatives
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Downtown speed limit reductions
The City of San José has reduced speed limits on some streets in business activity districts. Speeding is the top known cause of fatal and severe injury crashes in San José, and we are using all tools at our disposal to bring top speeds down.
New signs reflecting the reduced speed limits have been installed:
● Downtown:
- Santa Clara St. (Almaden Avenue – Fifth Street)
- Almaden Ave (St. John Street – Santa Clara Street)
- Post St. (Market Street – First Street)
● Japantown: Jackson Street (Third Street – Seventh Street)
More than 38,000 Alcohol Beverage Control licensees receive renewal fee waivers
ABC reminds licensees with on-sale privileges to check if they are eligible for Renewal Fee Waivers.
The fee waivers became available in February 2021 when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of immediate actions that provided relief to individuals, families and businesses suffering the most significant economic hardship from the COVID-19 recession. ABC was approved to provide fee waivers for two years to approximately 59,000 businesses heavily impacted by health and safety restrictions imposed in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Restaurants, bars, and other specified licensees with on-sale privileges are eligible for fee waivers of licenses with expiration dates between March 1, 2021, and February 28, 2023.
Use the 3-step Verify Eligibility tool to verify eligibility for the renewal fee waiver and to submit your fee waiver.
- Search by license number after receiving your renewal notice in the mail.
- Verify license type fee waiver eligibility and identify your remaining balance due, if any.
- Submit your renewal fee waiver either online if you have no balance due, or by mail with your payment.
The latest figures from October show that Renewal Fee Waivers have been approved for 38,995 ABC licensees and that amounts to over $36 million saved in California’s alcoholic beverage industry. Full February 23,2021 news release.
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