Hey San Jose, Alyson Chuyang + Nicole Calande here. Between the two of us, we get the privilege of sharing local news, events, and conversations with 56,000+ readers in San Jose, daily — here, and on our socials .
After two months of bringing you SJtoday, we thought we should formally introduce ourselves. Consider this us going in for a fist bump, then switching to a handshake, then settling on a hug.
Meet Alyson Chuyang 🥑
Q: What’s something every new San Josean oughta know about?
A: There is just about something for everyone here, you just have to be open + willing to get involved with our great city — go out to local cultural vendor markets (we have a ton), hike the city’s miles of trails, and stay updated with SJtoday
, of course. 😉
Q: If you were taking someone on a tour around San Jose, where are the three places you’re going?
A: We’re grabbing breakfast at House of Bagels by San Jose State’s campus, then heading to Japantown to shop — it’s a great place to find thrifted clothing + streetwear. Finally, we’d hit Downtown for the nightlife since it’s so entertaining. An added extra stop: late night taco truck to get some al pastor + orange sauce.
Q: If you could only write about one San Jose-specific topic for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: If you haven’t gathered, I’m a foodie. I’d love to talk to different family-owned restaurants + local eateries to get the word out about passionate small businesses and the delicious food they bring to San Jose.
Meet Nicole Calande 🍜
Q: What makes you the local expert in San Jose?
A: I grew up here — does that count? Well, beyond that, I’m particularly proud of the fact that I’ve worked at the Tech Interactive, History San Jose + the Winchester Mystery House. I’ve learned so much about this city’s past, present, and future from these iconic San Jose institutions.
Q: Describe San Jose’s personality in three words.
A: Spunky. Entrepreneurial. Proud. 💪
Q: #BeTheBroker: What building in San Jose do you want to see revitalized + what would you do with it?
A: My partner and I had a fantasy about transforming the Burbank Theater on S. Bascom Ave. into a community center + pop-up retail space. The theater was recently purchased
, so we’ll have to see how the redevelopment compares with my idea… Closer to home, I’ve also noticed that Western Contract Interiors in Japantown closed, and I think the space would make a fantastic independent bookstore. 📚