Local businesses that provide good eats and great services in South San Jose's Cottle/Great Oaks area
San Jose, CA -- The business walk with San Jose Chamber of Commerce CEO Derrick Seaver on Friday afforded us the opportunity to get to know the challenges of some long-time family-owned businesses in South San Jose. If you take alternative modes of transportation, the Cottle/Great Oaks are is accessible along available along VTA bus lines #27 and #68 and a by bicycle. We started on Cottle and Poughkeepsie Roads and made our way toward Lean Ave.
Some of these businesses, such as family-owned Castillo's Mexican Restaurant. It's managed by a brother and sister duo who has been working in the restaurant for 18 years. The restaurant provides both indoor and outdoor seating with a beautifully landscaped privacy screen of shrubs and flowers. You can find them on Doordash, and Grubhub.
Next to Castillo's is family-owned restaurant Sonny's Cafe and Vietnamese Restaurant, managed by a husband and wife team. They offer Vietnamese delights such as banh mi, pho, bun, coffee and various American breakfast foods. They are open and set up for take out.
We visited Hairousel, a hair salon across from the old Orchard Supply Hardware building and next to Bill's Cafe, was very kind to show us the precautions and amendments they've made to the salon. Plastic screens were installed between each station and the salon was impeccably clean. Sessions are available by appointment.
A little walk down Cottle at Beswick Road, we came across family-owned laundry and alteration service Vogue Enterprises Cleaners that has been an anchor in the community for 32 years. If you're starting to put away you summer clothes and as more events take place, it's worth considering getting your dry cleaning done or your blankets and pillows refreshed and ready for colder weather.
From the cleaners, we followed our nose into O'Henry's Donuts that has been in San Jose for more than 30 years. You can't beat the smell of fresh donuts. Glad Derrick was there to hold me back because I would have torn through it like the Tasmanian Devil. Donuts aren't just for the office. Treat yourself to a tasty old-fashioned and a custard-filled bar the next time you're in the area. Get them before I do.
Finally we ended up at Skip's Tires. This auto shop provides tires and car maintenance services. The shopping center, near Highway 85, has gone through a remodel and are open for business. The shopping center houses several restaurants, an animal hospital, nail salon, and credit union. Although we didn't get the chance to talk to all these businesses, we're excited about coming back to the area again in the future.
Thank you to all the business owners and managers who took the time out of their busy day to speak to us about the challenges you've face. We're enthusiastic about helping you meet these challenges and grow your business.
These small local businesses keep San Jose vibrant. Shop local.
Our next business walk will be in the Bernal/Santa Teresa area, and our upcoming walk will be in the Eden Business Center Area. If you own a business or if you know of a business that is facing challenges, please send us a suggestion or recommendation. We're happy to help. Let us know which area you'd like us to schedule our next business walk or if you'd like to show us around your neighborhood: membership@sjchamber.com
Our information is available in multiple languages.
English:
Spanish:
Vietnamese:
Small business with revenues less than $2,000,000 can receive specialized services and benefits for $50 a month or $600 a year. Here is what it gets you:
Networking and Visibility
The Chamber provides members opportunities to engage in networking events such as Monthly Member Breakfast, Power Lunch, Networking Mixer, Business Referral Network Groups, Ribbon Cutting, and Website and eNewletter advertisement.
Advocacy and Permitting
The Chamber has partnered with Pinnacle Strategy and has a dedicated staff to assist with City of San Jose Planning Building and Code Enforcement department, conditional use permitting, and Santa Clara County Health Department permitting.
Marketing
The Chamber has partnered with Deductive Marketing and Recruiting, an AspireNorth Chanel Partner, to provide cutting-edge marketing technology that captures contact information of potential prospects and markets your products and services.
Financial
The Chamber has provided special pricing and benefits on Comerica's small business products and services.
Public Policy Committees
The Chamber provides members opportunities to engage in policy committees such as Transportation, Housing and Land Use, Competitiveness, Community Development, and Water and Energy.
For these reasons, we believe that we cannot afford not to be members.
Click here to find out more about the San Jose Chamber of Commerce.