2013 BUSINESS WALK: Blossom Hill Road/Almaden Expressway
Suburban corridors: Business is getting better! Signage, public safety, homelessness, lighting and road issues top list of challenges A large stretch of two commercial corridors in San Jose’s City Council District 9 along Blossom Hill Road and the Almaden Expressway served as the location for the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber’s recent teers was comprised of representatives from presenting sponsor business walk, held Nov. 21. Pacific Gas & Electric Company and The event was launched by District participating sponsors Bridge Bank, 9 San Jose City Councilmember San Jose Water Company, Santa Donald Rocha. Fifty volunteers then Clara Valley Transportation Authorvisited 120 businesses during the ity, San Jose Downtown Association, afternoon hours, bringing to a total Groundwerx, the City of San Jose and of 400 businesses that the SJSV SCORE among other chamber Chamber has surveyed over the past members. 12 months as part of its Regional The survey provides the opportunity Economic Development Initiative. to not only show that many local Fourteen teams canvassed small commercial centers and strip malls made up of retail and service businesses located near the Westfield Oakridge Mall. Previous business walks were held in Willow Glen/San Carlos corridor and in San Jose’s downtown arts and entertainment district. The group of chamber volunSan Jose Silicon Valley Chamber
nonprofit organizations that serve businesses are listening to the needs of San Jose's main street businesses, but to also connect businesses with resources that can help solve some of the identified issues and bring new resources to bear on others. Teams of three and four volunteers asked businesses three simple questions: • How is business? • What do you like about
doing business here? • What could be done to
improve business in the area? Business Activity Looking Up Volunteers were very happy to hear a majority of the commercial locations surveyed reported business activity was good and getting better in the last half of 2013. A quarter of those interviewed reported business as the same and just 13 percent said that their customer activity was on the decline. A solid 61 percent said conditions were getting better.
2013 BUSINESS WALK What’s Next? The SJSV Chamber will be conducting meetings with stakeholders, including the City of San Jose and others to find means to address issues raised during this business walk. In addition, two business walks are planned: one each in the spring and fall of 2014. District 9 San Jose City Councilmember Donald Rocha launched the business walk.
Other positive reports included owners and managers pleased with where their businesses are located and satisfaction with their customer base. Numerous businesspeople said the Blossom Hill/Almaden Expressway area was “busy,” a
Presenting Sponsor
“central location,” with “excellent traffic” and “excellent location near the large mall.” Many businesses surveyed were longtime tenants of the various commercial centers or the area itself—some having been established in business for as long as 20 to 50 years.
Another major concern centered on poor lighting in parking lot areas and store and auto burglaries that have been occurring regularly. One business owner noted that “the shopping center had provided security for a few months and when it stopped, the trouble started again.” Several micro issues were identified in separate areas, such as allegedly bad traffic light synchronization, future zoning changes and delivery or parking areas behind businesses.
Chamber volunteers also heard that businesses in the Blossom Hill/ Almaden Expressway area are “working together for each other” by making local referrals and that There seems to be confusion, as well, “word of mouth” created “many about who should be counted on to repeat customers.” help in preventing crime: the police or the commercial center’s security. We also heard that the locale is We heard that police do not always desirable because of surrounding housing development that makes it show up quickly when called. family-friendly and an easy place to Attractive Nuisances do business. The same qualities of the area that
PG&E’s Amanda Egan, center, helped survey businesses, along with APR’s Bill Harrington, left, and Bridge Bank’s Casey Nichols.
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber
Safety & Security Issues The No. 1 issue that came up most during the dialogue with those surveyed was public safety. Business people said they were concerned about the safety of their customers, employees and property—especially in the evening hours.
bring in customers also attract people who are living on the streets—or in this case along wooded areas of a nearby creek. Businesses reported numerous homeless people live in the area, and although they have been “chased out,” they return.
Blossom Hill Road/Almaden Expressway Participating Stakeholders Presenting Sponsor
Pacific Gas & Electric Company Participating Sponsors Bridge Bank City of San Jose Groundwerx San Jose Downtown Association San Jose Water Company Santa Clara County Water District SCORE Valley Transportation Authority Volunteers included Meriwest’s Melody Criner, USF’s Helen Valine and Marriott’s Noelle Boesenberg.
Aggressive dogs associated with homeless camps were also indentified as a problem.
better, what would you change?” Several times, the answer was “We like the way things are!”
Nevertheless, this business walk As well, the business people noted gathered the following list suggesthat petition gatherers are setting up tions for improving conditions: in front of commercial areas and are too aggressive in their activity. • Customer Attraction Improved grassroots How To Improve Business Conditions marketing and more One of the more interesting quesfamily-oriented attractions like tions about business conditions that fairs, functions and fundraisers. one group employed was: “If you Additional signage and ability in could wave a wand to make business
some commercial centers to put out A-frame board signs. • Several businesses also expressed
the need for simplifying impending city sign ordinances. Other suggestions included facelifts for retail shops and shopping center rebranding. • Improved Infrastructure
and Security Making improvements in public safety areas would help keep customers coming back. Better lighting is needed in parking lots and improving traffic flow along the major roadways is needed. This could include more turn lanes and better sequencing of traffic lights. Increased presence of security officers—either city police or paid guards are suggested, along with better response time from city police. The SJSV Chamber will work on and bring these issues to stakeholders’ attention in the coming months.
Teams of three and four volunteers surveyed 120 businesses during the event.
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber
2013 BUSINESS WALK: Blossom Hill Road/Almaden Expressway Businesses Contacted During November 21 Business Walk Aaron Brothers
Dollar Tree Stores
Larry's Hallmark Shop
Salon Centric
ABR Engineers
Dorene's Wide Shoes
La-Z-Boy
School of Rock San Jose
Alain Pinel Realtors
Dunn-Edwards Paints
Leslie’s Swimming Pool
Schroeder's
Alliance Credit Union
Edenvale Dentral Group
Supplies
Scrambl'z
Almaden Arco
Elegant Lace
Lifeway Christian Stores
Sherwin-Williams
Almaden Chiropractic
Enterprise Rent-a-Car
Lighthouse Project
Simple Beverage
Almaden Donuts
Erik's Deli Café
Lucky Stars Tattoo
Smoker-Friendly Smoke
Almaden Hills United
Family Cobbler
Luxury Nails Spa
Shop
Methodist Church
Fidelity National Title
Mahalo Hawaiian
Social Vocational Services
Amila Insurance Services
Fish Window Cleaning
Barbeque
Splendor Nails & Spa
Asiana Spa
Forever Diamonds
Mancini's Sleepworld
Springleaf
Australian Tan
and More
Massage Envy Spa
Sprint
Auto Sound
Future Hair & Nails
Mathnasium
Star One Credit Union
AutoZone
Galileo Preschool
Mattress Discounters
Subway
Max Muscle
Summer Winds Nursery
Back to Back Chiropractic Genoji Sushi
Susan's Place
Baja Fresh
Get n Go Market & Liquor Michael's Jewelry
Bay Dental
Glow Hydroponics
Mobile
Target
Be Lovely Hair Design
Golden Foot Spa
Muia's Tailor & Dry Clean
The Burger Pit
Big 5 Sporting Goods
Greenest Cleaners 4 You
Murison's Flooring
The Fish Market
Blossom Hill Car Wash
Halona Spa
Nail Expo
The Little Gym of San Jose
Boston Market
Hancock Fabrics
New Nails
Togo's
Britannia Arms
Hidden Talent Art Studio
Nu Smile Dental
Tracie's Rainbow
Burrito Factory
Hong's Beauty Salon
Office Max
UPS Store
California Community
Irma A Francisco, DDS
Papa Murphy's Pizza
Verizon Wireless
Opportunities
Jack in the Box
Paradise Valley Spas
Wells Fargo
C'est Si Bon Bakery
Jiffy Lube
Peet's Coffee & Tea
Whole Foods
Classic Kitchens
Jim Nelson & Son
Perfect 10 Nail Spa
Wine Rack
Crossroads Trading
Photography
Petfood Express
Woodpecker's Furniture
Company
JM William Accountancy
Pier 1
Yogurt Delite
CueTopia Billiard Café
Kalinka
Play it Again Sports
Dash Nails & Spa
Kohl's
Princeton Veterinary
Denny's
La Victoria Tacqueria
Clinic
Divine Appointment
Lamps Plus
Robertsville Carwash
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber