Plus, San Jose ranks high in AI
 
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57º | Mostly sunny | 5% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:22 a.m. | Sunset: 5:06 p.m.
 

⚡ Your best vibes were always at Fry’s...

Fry’s Electronics: Where are San Jose’s legacy superstores now?
The front of a beige Fry's Electronics store in the evening, with store logo in red, and lights illuminating the side of the building.
Fry’s Electronics on Hamilton Avenue. | Photo by Bryce Edwards
City Editor Gregg, here. Who else remembers Fry’s Electronics, fondly? It used to be one of the most prominent superstores in the South Bay.

The first location opened its doors in Sunnyvale in 1985, and for the next 30 years, would cement itself as one of the most unique businesses you’d find anywhere in the US.

You see, unlike many big-box stores, every single Fry’s had a specific theme. I have such fond memories of visiting these stores — I thought it would be fun to take look at the three South Bay locations, and some memories I have there.


A large, beige Fry's Electronics building sits in front of an empty parking lot with a few scattered trees. The store's logo is red, and the entrance is built to resemble the faded grey granite of a Mayan Temple.

Fry’s Electronics on East Brokaw Road

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Image via Google Maps

🔌 550 E. Brokaw Rd., San Jose

Modeled after weathered grey-limestone temples from South America, the location wanted to pay tribute to “the first astronomers, the Mayans, with settings from Chichenitza.”

I remember listening to the hidden speakers piping in the sounds of wind and rain with subtle squawks and trills of tropical birds.

Currently, the building is being used as a warehouse space for San Jose tech company Supermicro. City Council approved plans to turn the space into a multi-building office complex, though developers are considering the potential of residential units.


The front of a big beige Fry's Electronics building. The store's logo is red, sitting in the middle of a dark green waveform. The doors are open, and it appears lively.

Fry’s Electronics store in Sunnyvale in 2019, prior to the store’s closure.

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Image via Google Maps

🔌 1077 E. Arques Ave., Sunnyvale

This high-tech-inspired location’s massive, fenced-in parking lot continues to grow weeds, while its formerly bright-green waveform sign hangs bleach-white on the building.

I remember the inside of this location being exceptionally bright. Colorful, David Hockney-styled squiggly rugs weaving in and around aisles and aisles of gadgets in between faux marble floors.

Semiconductor equipment manufacturer Applied Materials purchased the site in September 2023, though their plans for the building are currently unknown.

🔌 600 E. Hamilton Ave., Campbell

The Egyptian-themed location predominantly sits empty for most of the year, and famously converts into the seasonal specter of Spirit Halloween.

I remember the dark atmosphere punctuated by electric orange sconces. The walls were lined with hieroglyphics and large, stone scarabs.

Today, the building is home to the Bay Area’s first-ever indoor pickleball club.
Who else has fond memories of Fry's?
 
Events
Wednesday, Nov. 8
  • Employment Resource Fair | Wednesday, Nov. 8 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Rd., San Jose | Free | Access a wide range of services, including housing, medical care, employment, peer support, education, behavioral health, family support, VA benefits assistance, and more.
  • Chopsticks Alley’s Creativitea Open Mic | Wednesday, Nov. 8 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Olinder Theater, 848 E. William St., San Jose | Free | Enjoy this month’s AAPI open mic/revue — held every second Wednesday of the month.
Thursday, Nov. 9
  • Cabaret Karaoke | Thursday, Nov. 9 | 7-11 p.m. | Tabard Theatre, 29 N. San Pedro St., Ste. 200, San Jose | Sing your heart out under the lights of a cabaret stage every week.
  • Sharks vs. Edmonton Oilers | Thursday, Nov. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | SAP Center, 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose | $19-$430 | Join the Sharks for a celebration of Diwali, with festive Bollywood dance performances, henna tattoo art + music from DJ Heer.
  • Los Tres Tristes Tigres | Thursday, Nov. 9-Friday, Nov. 10 | Times vary | San Jose Improv, 62 S. Second St., San Jose | $28-$78 | Un show de comedia que combina standup, interacción con el público y canciones de humor.
  • Glam Kitty Ball: Containher, Turn Me On Dead, Kid Lords | Thursday, Nov. 9 | 8 p.m. | The Ritz, 400 S. First St., San Jose | $15 | Dress for a night of cat-themed mischief featuring a costume contest, prizes, and an artisanal marketplace.
Friday, Nov. 10
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Civic
  • San Jose’s Nov. 7 special election had only one race on the ballot — adding a short term governing board member to the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District. See the results here.
Transit
  • VTA light rail is undergoing maintenance as a part of its Rail Rehabilitation project through Thursday, Nov. 16, to update and replace concrete panels and rails. Champion station in San Jose will be affected. VTA bus bridges will be in effect. (NBC Bay Area)
Sports
  • The Sharks are on track to miss the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, and are tied for the second longest winless streak in NHL history. The current rebuild strategy hinges on a projected salary cap increase in the spring, fresh faces on the bench from the Barracuda, and... patience. (The Mercury News)
Eat
  • If you’re a veteran or on active duty, stop by Tony & Alba’s Pizza & Pasta on Stevens Creek this Friday and show your military ID for free Italian fare. The restaurant is celebrating Veterans Day by offering a free basic pasta and drink for service-members.
Ranked
  • When it comes to AI, we’re No. 1. San Jose is the most innovative metro area in the country in regards to the number of artificial intelligence and machine learning patents. Our metro added 9,798 new AI patents in 2022 — outranking New York, San Francisco, and Seattle (sorry, SEAtoday). (Silicon Valley Business Journal)
State
  • New legislation signed by Governor Newsom will let CA counties vote on their own sales tax increases, instead of a set percentage cap. Santa Clara County’s current sales tax rate is 9.125% — the signing of SB 335 now means voters could opt to raise the rate an additional 0.625% by 2028. (The Mercury News)
Seasonal
  • Turkey time… San Jose is the second-best city in the US for Thanksgiving. Wallethub looked at 100 cities across the country, and ranked them based on 18 metrics, including affordability, expected weather conditions, delayed flights, and volunteer opportunities. San Jose ranked second behind San Francisco. (Wallethub)
Biz
  • Small Business Saturday is just around the corner — Nov. 25, to be exact. What local businesses will you be supporting + which local deals should we check out? Let us know and we may feature your recommendation in an upcoming newsletter.
Real Estate

🏘️ San Jose’s new developments

Newly approved San Jose housing projects for November
The corner of East Santa Clara and North Fourth streets in downtown San Jose, featuring a Chevron gas station, and office and residential complexes in the background.
The gas station at the corner of North Fourth and East Santa Clara streets downtown may soon become housing. | Photo courtesy Google Maps
With fast-moving approvals, builder’s remedies, and changing plans, San Jose’s housing landscape could be changing dramatically to address the city’s housing shortfalls.

Here are a few of the housing projects on the horizon:
  • Hillsdale + Newberry avenues | 160 affordable, multi-family units | Construction timeline pending | This development would replace an empty strip mall.
  • East Brokaw Road + Junction Avenue | 982 market-rate with 247 affordable units | Construction timeline pending | This would replace the old Fry’s Building that was initially slated for a tech campus.
  • East Santa Clara + North Fourth streets | 600+ market-rate units | Funding to be secured by 2024, with construction pending | Developer Urban Catalyst is pivoting from offices to housing at the current Chevron site.
We’ll keep you updated as these plans continue to develop.
The Buy

The Buy 11.08.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
One of these gifts. All under $25, all adorable.
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Gregg
From the editor
Say what you will about how expensive it is to live in the Bay, but the West Coast is the best coast when it comes to seriously sweet views like the ones we have in San Jose.
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