Alum Rock - San Jose - San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of

2015 BUSINESS WALK: Alum Rock
Business corridor relies on loyal customer base
Construction, infrastructure and safety are top concerns
More than 30 business leaders,
community organizers, and
representatives from various non-profits
volunteered to be part of the San Jose
Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce’s
bi-annual Business Walk in October.
The San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of
Commerce has been the voice of
business for more than 130 years.
One of the ways it has kept the proverbial “finger on the pulse” of the business
community is through its Business Walk
program.
The program, started in 2012 and held
bi-annually has SJSV Chamber members
canvas pre-identified business corridors
and surveying businesses.
was the data that was acquired by the
Business Walk.
questions:
•
•
•
How is business doing?
What do you like about doing
business in the Alum Rock?
What could be done to improve
business in the Alum Rock?
As volunteers walked, meeting business
owners, they were not only exposed to
the challenges that small businesses in
East San Jose face, but they were also
able to see first-hand how well these
businesses were doing.
Volunteers were divided into 10 groups
and went out to interview a total of 81
local business owners.
At times, the volunteers
themselves were able
to directly help
business owners with
some of these
challenges. Business
advice, loan
information, and
construction updates
were some of the
services volunteers
were able to share.
They asked owners three simple
Of equal importance
This iteration of the Business Walk, made
possible in large part by our presenting
partner Bridge Bank as well as our and
our silver sponsor Wells Fargo—both SJSV
Chamber members—took place in East
San Jose, along the Alum Rock business
corridor.
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber
One of the most telling pieces of
information that came out of the data
was an increase in the negative business
climate in the Alum Rock, when
compared to previous Business Walks.
In comparison with previous years, the
Alum Rock area shows a considerable
increase in businesses stating that their
business was getting worse: a total of
30%, up 20% from the 10% average of
past Business Walks.
When this data is broken down by
geographical region, it becomes clear that
one of the main areas that is contributing
to this negative outlook in the Alum Rock
2015 BUSINESS WALK: Alum Rock
is the segment that is currently under
construction.
Furthermore, when the responses from
the questions asked above are taken into
account, 20% of all businesses
interviewed in the Alum Rock claim
construction is an issue—more than half
of the area surveyed [52%] is under
construction.
Owners would like to see a greater, more
visible, police presence in the area.
Many business leaders also feel that
better infrastructure could increase public
safety in the corridor.
This comes second only to issues with
public safety, with 26% of owners citing a
need for improvement.
Business leaders cite poor street
lighting, lack of traffic signals, bad
sidewalk conditions, and bad traffic
management as issues that could
potentially endanger their prospective
clients.
Many owners have serious concerns
about the influx of homeless in the area
in the past year, in great part due to the
closing of “The Jungle” earlier this year.
Just as the Business Walk revealed
aspects of Alum Rock that could be
improved, it also revealed what attracts
and keeps businesses in the corridor.
Sponsors
PRESENTED BY:
SILVER SPONSOR
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber
As businesses were interviewed, a
recurrent answer kept appearing:
community.
A total of 24% of all business owners
stated that community was the biggest
benefit of the Alum Rock.
“I have lived here all my life.”
“I went to school in this area and my
children are now attending the same
schools.”
“I inherited this business from my
parents.”
“We are well known in the
Continued on back page
Alum Rock
Business climate sub-category breakdown: Geography
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber
2015 BUSINESS WALK: Alum Rock
community.”
“We have been in business for 40
years.”
These are just some of the responses that
show the strong attachment between the
community and local businesses.
Many local owners have lived in the area
their entire life and many of their clients
are family, friends, and acquaintances
they have accumulated throughout the
years.
For this very reason, it is of vital
importance to address and improve
business conditions in the Alum Rock
corridor.
The local business is intertwined with the
local community, often being one and the
same, making the business corridor an
economic pillar for the community of East
San Jose. As such, the economic vitality
of the corridor is a good indicator of the
overall health and prosperity of the
community as a whole.
Alum Rock Businesses Contacted
Treasure Chest Aquarium &
Pets
Acu House
Rock Solid Bicycles
Joyeria y Discoteca Pena
Josmarc Perfumes and Jewerly
Korean Fusion BBQ
Mario’s Hair Styling
Licia Imports
La Bodega Liquidators
Grameen America Banking
Janet Alterations
Swim Shop
Ecko Wireless
Amy’s Salon
Jewelry Designs by Marco
Wheels & Tires
Blanca’s Bridal
Manila Dental Center & Ortho
Guadalajara Flowers
CompreCare Health Center
San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber
Happy Feet Shoes
KK Chinese Restaurant
Reed Sparks Insurance
Orchard Supply Hardware
Mexico Bakery
Color Nails Salon
Torres Wireless
Mi Ranchito Taqueria
Vero’s Beauty Salon
Khalsa Insurance Agency
Gift Stop
Kelly-Moore Paints
Daniel Ornelas Photography
El Grullo Mexicano
Irma’s Hair
Mountain Mike’s Pizza
MHP- School of Arts & Culture
Shop N Go Convenience Mart
3D Smoke Shop
Mira Bella Salon
Yummy
Carniceria
Alum Rock Animal Hospital
Best Cleaners
Crawfish
Rocket Ship (community Prep)
Alum Rock Auto Care
Zapateria & Western Wear
Diamante
Orange Sunrise
Liquors 4 Less
Mark’s Hotdogs
Lalo’s Shoe Repair
Jasmine Salon
La Belle Nails
Bugformance Motorsport
CarQuest
Dollar Store
Nhan Hoa Pure Water
Nifty after Fifty
Insurance and Tax Services
Wheel Works
Mimi’s Hair Express
Botanica Chango y Yemaya
Jose LG Insurance
Big Savings Insurance Agency
Vivi Modern Fashion
Clear Concepts Optometry
Intero Real Estate
Fast Auto Loans
Cuts & More Hair Studio
Lezly 99 Sotre
Fast Bicycle
Jewel of India
Asby Sports
El Nuevo Ranch Grande
Tire Outlet Store
Nguyen Trai Pool House
Mary Queen Nails
RP of the Bay Area
Fiesta Auto Insurance
Quest Diagnostics